{"id":"tas:act-1957-099","name":"Girl Guides' Association Act 1957","slug":"girl-guides-association-act-1957","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"tas","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"99 of 1957","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":110466,"registerId":"tas-act-1957-099-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### 1 Short title\n\n> This Act may be cited as the [Girl Guides' Association Act 1957](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1957-099) .","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interpretation","content":"### 2 Interpretation\n\n> > (1)  *\\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 9 of 1982, s. 7 and Sched. 10 \\]*In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears –\n> > \n> > > ***branch*** means the Girl Guides' Association (Tasmania);\n> > \n> > > ***Commissioner*** means the Commissioner for Corporate Affairs holding office under [section 4 of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1980-064#GS4@EN) [Commissioner for Corporate Affairs Act 1980](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1980-064) , and includes any person holding that office in an acting capacity;\n> > \n> > > ***constitution*** means the constitution of the branch for the time being adopted pursuant to the Royal Charters and by-laws mentioned in the preamble to this Act or any amendment thereof;\n> > \n> > > ***corporation*** means the body that is incorporated by this Act;\n> > \n> > > ***council*** means the State Council of the Association;\n> > \n> > > ***executive committee*** means the executive committee of the council, being the executive committee for the time being appointed under the constitution;\n> > \n> > > ***Royal Charters*** means the Royal Charters mentioned in the preamble to this Act;\n> > \n> > > ***sponsored group*** means a group that is registered with the corporation as a sponsored group by any organization approved by the Association or the corporation;\n> > \n> > > ***sponsoring authority*** means the person or committee appointed by an organization to exercise its functions in respect of a group that is registered as a sponsored group.\n> \n> > (2)  The constitution (so far as it relates to the constitution of the council) as existing immediately before the commencement of this Act shall, subject to this Act, be deemed to be the constitution of the corporation at the date of the commencement of this Act.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Incorporation of the State Council of the Association","content":"### 3 Incorporation of the State Council of the Association\n\n> > (1)  The persons who, at the commencement of this Act, are holding office as members of the council are, by force of this section, created a body corporate, and the members for the time being of the council holding office after the commencement of this Act continue to be a body corporate, by the name of the Girl Guides' Association (Tasmania).\n> \n> > (2)  The corporation has perpetual succession and may have and use a common seal.\n> \n> > (3)  The corporation –\n> > \n> > > > (a) may sue and be sued in its corporate name;\n> > > \n> > > > (b) may, in its corporate name, purchase, take on lease, hold, mortgage, and exchange, and lease, sell, or otherwise dispose of, real property and personal property;\n> > > \n> > > > (c) may invest, in investments authorized by law for the investment of trust funds, any moneys of the corporation;\n> > > \n> > > > (d) may borrow money either upon security or otherwise, and issue debentures;\n> > > \n> > > > (e) may lend any of the moneys of the corporation to such persons, for such purposes, and upon such terms and conditions, as it may think best calculated to promote the objects of the Association;\n> > > \n> > > > (f) may erect, maintain, and improve such buildings, and purchase or hire such machinery, plant, and equipment, as it may think best calculated to promote the objects of the Association; and\n> > > \n> > > > (g) may do and suffer all such other acts and things as bodies corporate may by law do and suffer.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Copies of Royal Charters and constitution to be registered","content":"### 4 Copies of Royal Charters and constitution to be registered\n\n> > (1)  *\\[Section 4 Subsection (1) amended by No. 9 of 1982, s. 7 and Sched. 10 \\]*Within 6 months after the commencement of this Act the corporation shall cause to be deposited with the Commissioner a copy, certified under the common seal of the corporation, of –\n> > \n> > > > (a) the Royal Charters; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) the constitution –\n> > \n> > and shall cause copies (certified under the seal of the corporation) of any new, amended, or supplementary Royal Charter granted to the Association or the corporation, and all amendments of the constitution made, or any new constitution adopted, after the commencement of this Act, to be so deposited, with as little delay as possible.\n> \n> > (2)  *\\[Section 4 Subsection (2) amended by No. 9 of 1982, s. 7 and Sched. 10 \\]*Upon receipt of a document required by this section to be deposited with him, the Commissioner shall register it as if it were the articles of association of a company, or an amendment of the articles of association of a company, as the case may be.\n> \n> > (3)  *\\[Section 4 Subsection (3) amended by No. 9 of 1982, s. 7 and Sched. 10 \\]*The production of a copy of a document required by this section to be deposited with the Commissioner, certified by the Commissioner to be correct, shall be received as conclusive evidence of the contents of the document by all courts and persons having by law or consent of parties authority to hear and receive evidence.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"General powers of the corporation","content":"### 5 General powers of the corporation\n\n> > (1)  The corporation –\n> > \n> > > > (a) has the general control and management of the Girl Guide movement in this State; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) may do all such acts and things as it may consider necessary or desirable for providing and maintaining an efficient organization for the purposes of the Association in this State.\n> \n> > (2)  Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of [subsection (1)](#GS5@Gs1@EN) , the powers and functions of the corporation include the exercise of all such powers, and the performance of all such duties, as may be delegated to it by the Association under the provisions of the Royal Charters.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Transfer of property to corporation","content":"### 6 Transfer of property to corporation\n\n> > (1)  A person –\n> > \n> > > > (a) who, at the commencement of this Act, holds;\n> > > \n> > > > (b) who, at any time after the commencement of this Act, requires; or\n> > > \n> > > > (c) to whom is or has been given, devised, or bequeathed (whether before or after the commencement of this Act) –\n> > \n> > any real property or personal property in this State upon trust for or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, the Association or any branch thereof or any local association, group, or other body formed under the policy organization and rules of the Association in this State shall, if so required by the corporation, by notice in writing, transfer, convey, or assign that real property or personal property to the corporation, at the cost of the corporation, but subject to any conditions or trusts upon which it is or was held, acquired, given, devised, or bequeathed.\n> \n> > (2)  A notice under [subsection (1)](#GS6@Gs1@EN) –\n> > \n> > > > (a) shall be signed by the general secretary or other officer of the corporation authorized by the corporation in that behalf; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) shall be deemed to have been received by the person to whom it is addressed at the expiration of the period of 3 days after it has been forwarded to that person by registered post at his usual or last-known place of residence in this State or, if it is addressed to more persons than one, after it has been so forwarded to any one of those persons at his usual or last-known place of residence in this State.\n> \n> > (3)  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, any real property or personal property that is vested in, or held by or on behalf of, or that is given, devised, or bequeathed to, a sponsored group may, subject to any express trust affecting it, be held in trust for such purposes, and be disposed of in such manner, as the sponsoring authority of that group may determine; but if a sponsoring authority deals with any real property or personal property in a manner contrary to the conditions and trusts upon which it is held, the corporation may, by notice in writing in accordance with this section, require the organization by which the sponsoring authority is appointed, or that sponsoring authority, to transfer, convey, or assign that property to the corporation.\n> \n> > (4)  Any person, organization, or sponsoring authority to whom or to which a notice under this section is given may apply by summons to a judge for an order that the transfer, conveyance, or assignment, of the property to which the notice relates shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the judge may determine, and the judge may make such order with respect to the terms and conditions to which the transfer, conveyance, or assignment shall be subject as the judge may think just and equitable, having regard to all the circumstances of the case.\n> \n> > (5)  If –\n> > \n> > > > (a) after the giving of a notice under this section any person, organization, or sponsoring authority to whom or to which the notice is given fails to execute a transfer or conveyance, or an assignment, to the corporation, of the property to which the notice relates; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) a person holds any real property or personal property in this State upon trust for or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, the Association or any branch thereof, or any local association, group, or other body formed under the policy organization and rules of the Association in this State, and the whereabouts of that person are unknown –\n> > \n> > the corporation may apply by summons to a judge for an order directing the Principal Registrar of the Supreme Court to execute for or on behalf of that person, organization, or sponsoring authority a transfer or conveyance, or an assignment, of that property to the corporation.\n> \n> > (6)  Where a summons is taken out by the corporation pursuant to [subsection (5)](#GS6@Gs5@EN) , the judge by whom the summons is heard may, upon proof to his satisfaction that –\n> > \n> > > > (a) the property to which the summons relates is held by any person, organization, or sponsoring authority for or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, the Association or any branch thereof, or any local association, group, or body formed under the policy organization and rules of the Association in this State;\n> > > \n> > > > (b) notice under this section requiring that person, organization, or sponsoring authority to transfer, convey, or assign that property has been given to that person, organization, or sponsoring authority by the corporation; and\n> > > \n> > > > (c) that person, organization, or sponsoring authority has failed to execute a transfer or conveyance, or an assignment, of the property to the corporation, or, as the case may be, that the whereabouts of that person are unknown –\n> > \n> > the judge may, by order, direct the Principal Registrar to execute for or on behalf of that person, organization, or sponsoring authority a transfer or conveyance, or an assignment, of that property to the corporation, and the Principal Registrar shall thereupon do all such acts and things, and execute all such instruments, as may be necessary to transfer, convey, or assign the property to the corporation, but subject, in the case of real property, to any charge, mortgage, lease, or easement affecting it and to any trust upon which it was held by that person, organization, or sponsoring authority.\n> \n> > (7)  A person who, in this State, has at any time acquired any property by using the name of the Association, or of any branch thereof, or of any local organization, group, or body formed under the policy organization and rules of the Association in this State shall, for the purposes of this section, be deemed to be a person who holds that property for or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, the Association or of that branch, local association, group, or sponsoring authority.\n> \n> > (8)  Any liabilities in respect of real property or personal property that, by virtue only of the operation of this subsection, become vested in the corporation, may be enforced against the corporation.\n> \n> > (9)  Any rights that have accrued or hereafter accrue to a person in this State on behalf of the Association are, by virtue only of the operation of this subsection, vested in the corporation, and may be enforced by or in favour of the corporation accordingly.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Manner of dealing with property by the corporation","content":"### 7 Manner of dealing with property by the corporation\n\n> The corporation shall deal with or dispose of the real or personal property vested in the corporation in such manner, subject to any special trust affecting the property, as the executive committee thinks fit, but subject in the case of a lease, mortgage, or sale of real property, to the following conditions, namely:\n> \n> > > (a) a proposed lease, mortgage, or sale of real property shall be submitted in the first instance to an ordinary meeting of the executive committee and shall be specially mentioned in the notice convening the meeting;\n> > \n> > > (b) at the next ordinary meeting of the executive committee of which 7 days' notice has been given, the proposed lease, mortgage, or sale if approved by the previous meeting, shall be submitted to the meeting, and if approved by not less than two-thirds of those present when the motion is put, may be carriedinto effect by the executive committee;\n> > \n> > > (c) a copy of the resolution of the executive committee directing the lease, mortgage, or sale, if sealed with the common seal of the corporation, is conclusive evidence in favour of any person claiming by, through, or under the lease, mortgage, or sale that the resolution has been duly passed in compliance with the provisions of this Act and of the constitution;\n> > \n> > > (d) a lessee, purchaser, or mortgagee is not bound to see to the application of any moneys paid by him.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Vesting of certain gifts, &c., in the corporation","content":"### 8 Vesting of certain gifts, &c., in the corporation\n\n> > (1)  A devise or bequest made by or under a will or codicil (whether the will or codicil is executed or proved before or after the commencement of this Act) and a gift made otherwise than by testamentary disposition (whether the gift is made before or after the commencement of this Act) to, or on behalf or for the benefit of, the Association or any branch thereof or any local association, group, or body formed under the policy organization and rules of the association (whether the devise, bequest, or gift is expressed to vest or pass directly or after the death of some person or the fulfilment of some condition) shall, unless the contrary intention appears in the will, codicil, or other instrument effecting the devise, bequest, or gift, be deemed, by force only of this section and without further authority, to be a devise, bequest, or gift to, or on behalf or for the benefit of, the corporation and the devise, bequest, or gift, or the beneficial enjoyment thereof, as the case may be, shall be deemed to vest in the corporation accordingly.\n> \n> > (2)  Nothing in this section prejudices or affects the operation of [section 6](#GS6@EN) .","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Custody and use of the seal of the corporation","content":"### 9 Custody and use of the seal of the corporation\n\n> > (1)  The State Secretary of the corporation has the custody of the corporation's common seal.\n> \n> > (2)  The common seal of the corporation shall not be affixed to a document except in pursuance of a resolution of the executive committee and, when so affixed, shall be attested by the signatures of 3 members of the executive committee, including the State Commissioner.\n> \n> > (3)  [*\\[Section 9 Subsection (3) amended by No. 66 of 2007, Sched. 1, Applied:31 Dec 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-12-31/act-2007-066#JS1@Ja39@GC1@EN) Notwithstanding anything in this section, it is not necessary for the appointment by the corporation of an Australian legal practitioner in or for the prosecution or defence of any action, suit, or other proceeding to be under the common seal of the corporation.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Service of notices","content":"### 10 Service of notices\n\n> Notice to, or service on, the State Secretary or of the corporation or any officer for the time being performing the duties of the State Secretary shall be deemed to be notice to, or service on, the corporation.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Receipts, &c.","content":"### 11 Receipts, &c.\n\n> A receipt, release, or discharge that is signed, given, or executed –\n> \n> > > (a) if not under seal, by –\n> > > \n> > > > > (i) the State Secretary or State Treasurer of the corporation; or\n> > > > \n> > > > > (ii) any 2 members of the executive committee; or\n> > \n> > > (b) if under seal, by any 3 members of the executive committee –\n> \n> shall be deemed, for all purposes, to be a complete acquittance by the corporation, to the person to whom it is given, for or in respect of the matters to which it relates.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Power of Governor to make orders-in-council protecting badges, uniforms, &c.","content":"### 12 Power of Governor to make orders-in-council protecting badges, uniforms, &c.\n\n> > (1)  The Governor may, by order-in-council made on the application of the corporation, protect –\n> > \n> > > > (a) the name of the Association, corporation, or branch;\n> > > \n> > > > (b) any special name or designation specified in the order and used by the Association, corporation, or branch for the members thereof, or for the members of any other council, committee, or local branch of the Association in this State;\n> > > \n> > > > (c) any uniform with distinctive markings or badges used by the Association, corporation, or branch and specified in the order-in-council;\n> > > \n> > > > (d) any badge to be worn without uniform used by the Association, corporation, or branch and specified in the order-in-council; and\n> > > \n> > > > (e) any guide standards or guide flags customarily used or displayed by the Association, corporation, or branch for the members thereof.\n> \n> > (2)  The corporation shall, when making application for the protection of a uniform, forward with the application a sample of the material to be used in the uniform, and a detailed description thereof in respect of both form and colour so as to clearly indicate the precise extent and limits of the protection sought in the application.\n> \n> > (3)  The corporation shall cause notice of an application under this section to be given in such manner, and containing such particulars, as the Minister may direct.\n> \n> > (4)  A person who is affected, or who is likely to be capable of being affected, by the subject-matter of an application under this section may, within the time specified in that behalf in the notice of the application, forward an objection, in writing, to the Minister for his consideration.\n> \n> > (5)  The Minister shall cause each order-in-council under this section to be laid on the table of each House of Parliament within the first 7 sitting days of the House after the order has been made.\n> \n> > (6)  If either House of Parliament passes a resolution, within 7 sitting days after an order-in-council is laid before it, declaring that the order should be annulled, the Governor may annul the order, and thereupon the order shall be void, except as regards anything done thereunder before the making of the order.\n> \n> > (7)  An order-in-council under this section may be amended or revoked by a subsequent order-in-council.\n> \n> > (8)  *\\[Section 12 Subsection (8) amended by No. 55 of 1965, s. 5 \\]**\\[Section 12 Subsection (8) amended by No. 67 of 1994, s. 3 and Sched. 1 \\]*Where the use of any name, designation, uniform, badge, standard, or flag has been protected by an order-in-council under this section, no person shall, without the authority of the corporation, use that name, designation, uniform, badge, standard, or flag or any name, designation, uniform, badge, standard, or flag so closely resembling the name, designation, uniform, badge, standard, or flag the use of which is protected under the order-in-council as to lead to the belief that it is that name, designation, uniform, badge, standard, or flag.\n> > \n> > Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 0·2 penalty unit.\n> \n> > (9)  Nothing in [subsection (8)](#GS12@Gs8@EN) prevents a person from wearing or using any uniform or badge or other distinctive marking in the course of, or for, the performance of a stage play or representation, music-hall or circus performance, pageant, or production of a cinematograph film if the uniform, badge, or distinctive marking is not worn or used in such a manner or in such circumstances as to bring it into contempt.\n> \n> > (10)  Nothing in this section or in an order-in-council under this section deprives an organization of the right to use a designation, uniform, or badge which, at the time when this Act came into force, was used regularly and in good faith by that organization.","sortOrder":11}],"analysis":{"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act appears to have remained focused on its original purpose of providing legal recognition and incorporation for the Girl Guides' Association in Tasmania. The lack of significant amendments since at least 2008 suggests no material expansion or contraction of scope from its original 1957 intent."},"complexity_factors":["Very narrow and specific subject matter — limited to one organisation","Originally enacted in 1957 with minimal amendments, suggesting straightforward content","Typical enabling/incorporation-style legislation with limited operative provisions","No cross-references to complex regulatory frameworks apparent from available text","Insufficient legislative text provided to identify any nuanced technical provisions"],"plain_english_summary":"The Act formally recognises the Girl Guides' Association in Tasmania, giving the organisation legal standing to own property, enter contracts and sue or be sued in its own name. \n\nIt primarily affects the Association and its members by securing its legal footing so it can hold assets and operate reliably; for most Tasmanians it is a narrow, housekeeping law."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act formalises and preserves the existing State Council’s role by incorporating it (s3), deeming the pre-existing council constitution to be the corporation’s constitution at commencement (s2(2)), and expressly conferring the council/corporation powers to manage the Girl Guide movement in the State (s5). It therefore records and institutionalises existing functions and assets (ss 4, 6, 8) rather than expanding the Association’s substantive objects beyond those in the pre-existing constitution (see s2(2) and s5(2))."},"complexity_factors":["Property-transfer procedures that allow the corporation to require transfers of trust-held assets and to apply to a judge or the Principal Registrar if transfers are not executed (s6(1),(4)–(6)).","Registration and evidentiary regime requiring certified copies of Royal Charters and constitution to be deposited with and registered by the Commissioner as if they were company articles (s4(1)–(3)).","Executive-committee governance and prescribed voting and notice requirements for leases, mortgages or sales of real property (s7(a)–(c)).","Governor’s order-in-council process to protect names, uniforms, badges and flags, including notice, objection rights, parliamentary disallowance and limited penalty (s12(1)–(8)).","Trust and special-trust treatment and exceptions that limit the corporation’s disposal powers (s6(3); s7 preamble referencing special trusts).","Formalities for corporate execution and acquittals (custody and attestation of seal; signatures for receipts/releases) creating compliance steps (s9; s11)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Act makes the State Council of the Girl Guides in Tasmania a corporate body named the Girl Guides' Association (Tasmania), vests its constitution and assets in that corporation, and gives it powers to own, manage, borrow and dispose of property (ss 2–8). The corporation must register Royal Charters and its constitution with the Commissioner (s4), may require transfer of trust property at its cost (s6), the executive committee controls property dealings subject to voting rules (s7), and the Governor may protect names, uniforms and badges by order-in-council (s12)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains focused on its original purpose: incorporating the Tasmanian Girl Guides' State Council and providing mechanisms for property holding, transfer, and brand protection. While section 12 creates an administrative process for protecting symbols, this is ancillary to the core incorporation function. The Act has not expanded significantly beyond its original scope of providing corporate status and property management powers to a single nonprofit organization."},"complexity_factors":["9 defined terms in the interpretation section, including nested definitions (e.g., 'executive committee' defined by reference to 'council' and 'constitution')","Multiple cross-references between sections (e.g., section 8 preserving section 6, section 6 subsections referencing each other)","Conditional property transfer mechanisms with judicial override provisions (sections 6(4)-(6))","Layered decision-making requirements for property transactions (section 7: two meetings, special notice, two-thirds majority)","Protected symbol regime with administrative process (application, notice, objection, parliamentary disallowance) in section 12","Temporal complexity: provisions apply to property held before, at, and after commencement of Act"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does:**\n\nThis Act creates a legal entity — a **body corporate** (basically, a legal 'person' that can own property, sign contracts, and sue or be sued) — for the Girl Guides in Tasmania. Before this law, the Girl Guides' State Council existed as an unincorporated group. This Act gives it formal legal status so it can manage its affairs properly.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n- **The Girl Guides' Association (Tasmania)** — now has legal capacity to own land, borrow money, invest funds, and manage property\n- **Local Girl Guide groups and members** — their property and assets can be transferred to and protected by the corporation\n- **People who hold property on trust for Girl Guides** — they must transfer that property to the corporation when asked\n- **Anyone who wants to use Girl Guide names, uniforms, or badges** — they need permission or face fines\n\n**Key things the law allows:**\n\n- **Property management**: The corporation can buy, sell, lease, and mortgage property. It can also demand that people holding Girl Guide property transfer it to the corporation (with court backup if they refuse).\n- **Automatic vesting**: Gifts, wills, and bequests left to \"the Girl Guides\" automatically go to this corporation — even if the will doesn't specifically name it.\n- **Brand protection**: The Governor can issue orders protecting Girl Guide names, uniforms, badges, and flags. Using these without permission is an offence (fine up to 0.2 penalty units — roughly a few hundred dollars today).\n- **Governance rules**: Sets out how the executive committee makes decisions about property (two-thirds majority needed for major deals) and how the common seal (official stamp) is used.\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nWithout this Act, the Girl Guides couldn't legally own their halls, campsites, or equipment in their own name. Donors might be uncertain where their gifts should go. The Act solves these problems while protecting the organization's identity from being copied or misused."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/girl-guides-association-act-1957","history":"/api/acts/girl-guides-association-act-1957/history","analysis":"/api/acts/girl-guides-association-act-1957/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/girl-guides-association-act-1957/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/girl-guides-association-act-1957/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/girl-guides-association-act-1957/documents"}}