{"id":"melbourne-racing-club-act-1956","name":"Melbourne Racing Club Act 1956","slug":"melbourne-racing-club-act-1956","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"vic","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":175081,"registerId":"vic-melbourne-racing-club-act-1956-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Melbourne Racing Club Act 1956","content":"Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documentsi\nVersion No. 001\nMelbourne Racing Club Act 1956\nAct No. 6000/1956\nVersion incorporating amendments as at 6 July 1999\nTABLE OF PROVISIONS\nSection Page\n1. Short title 2\n2. Definitions 2\n3. Incorporation of Melbourne Racing Club 3\n4. Vesting in body corporate of real and personal property of or\nheld in trust for association 4\n5. Powers of body corporate 5\n6. Annual and special general meetings 7\n7. Committee 7\n8. Application of income and property 8\n9. Application of property upon dissolution 8\n10. As to existing rights, actions etc. in relation to association 9\n11. Power to make vary and amend rules 9\n__________________\nSCHEDULE—Lands vested in Melbourne Racing Club by this Act 11\n═══════════════\nENDNOTES 16\n1. General Information 16\n2. Table of Amendments 17\n3. Explanatory Details 18\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents1\nVersion No. 001\nMelbourne Racing Club Act 1956\nAct No. 6000/1956\nVersion incorporating amendments as at 6 July 1999\nAn Act to incorporate by the Name of Melbourne Racing Club a\ncertain Voluntary Association formed in Melbourne under the\nsaid Name and to vest in the said Corporation certain Real and\nPersonal Property now held on behalf of the said Voluntary\nAssociation by the Committee thereof or by Trustees and to\nprovide for the Management of the said Corporation, and for\nother purposes.\nPreamble\nWHEREAS in the year One thousand nine hundred\nand forty-eight there was formed in Melbourne in\nthe State of Victoria a certain voluntary association\ncalled \"Melbourne Racing Club\":\nAND WHEREAS the various items of real\nproperty more particularly described in the\nSchedule to this Act are now held upon trust for\nthe members for the time being of the said\nassociation and personal property of substantial\nvalue is now vested in the committee of the said\nassociation for the purposes of the said association:\nAND WHEREAS the said association proposes to\nexpend very considerable sums of money in\nimproving the said real property and in particular\nin erecting upon part thereof good and substantial\nbuildings (including grandstands) fences and other\nstructures to enable such property to be used for\nthe purposes of a race-course:\nAND WHEREAS for the management of the\naffairs of the said association and the better\nmaintenance and control of the real and personal\nproperty aforesaid and the buildings and\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6000/1956\nMelbourne Racing Club Act 1956\n2\nimprovements now erected or hereafter to be\nerected on the said real property it is expedient that\nthe said association be incorporated by the name of\n\"Melbourne Racing Club\" and that all the real and\npersonal property aforesaid be vested in and held\nby the body corporate and that all such powers and\nauthorities as may be necessary or expedient for\nthat purpose should be conferred upon the body\ncorporate:\nBE IT THEREFORE ENACTED by the Queen's Most\nExcellent Majesty by and with the advice and consent of the\nLegislative Council and the Legislative Assembly of Victoria\nin this present Parliament assembled and by the authority of\nthe same as follows (that is to say):\n1. Short title\nThis Act may be cited as the Melbourne Racing\nClub Act 1956.\n2. Definitions\nIn this Act unless inconsistent with the context or\nsubject-matter—\n\"association\" means the voluntary association\nknown as \"Melbourne Racing Club\";\n\"building\" means any house out-house stand\nbooth stable shed tent fence or other edifice\nor erection of any description whatsoever;\n\"Club\" means the body corporate constituted by\nthis Act under the name \"Melbourne Racing\nClub\";\n\"Committee\" means the Committee for the time\nbeing of the club;\n\"land\" includes any interest in land and any\neasement right or privilege in over or\naffecting any land;\ns. 1\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6000/1956\nMelbourne Racing Club Act 1956\n3\n\"the body corporate\" means the Melbourne\nRacing Club as incorporated by this Act;\n\"rules\" means the rules made by the body\ncorporate pursuant to this Act.\n3. Incorporation of Melbourne Racing Club\n(1) There shall be a body corporate by the name of\n\"Melbourne Racing Club\" consisting of—\n(i) all persons who at the date of the passing of\nthis Act are members of the association and\nwho continue to be members of the club; and\n(ii) all persons who under and in accordance\nwith the provisions of the rules become and\ncontinue to be members of the club.\n(2) The body corporate shall have perpetual\nsuccession and a common seal and under the\nname aforesaid may sue and be sued prosecute\nand defend and take and suffer all other\nproceedings in all courts civil and criminal and it\nshall be lawful for the body corporate to purchase\ntake on lease or licence or in exchange or\notherwise acquire and to receive hold enjoy and\ntake possession of real and personal property of\nany description whatsoever and also to sell grant\nexchange convey demise reserve or grant\neasements over or otherwise dispose of or deal\nwith either absolutely or by way of mortgage\ncharge lien or other encumbrance any of the\nproperty real or person which may at any time be\nvested in or otherwise belong to the body\ncorporate and generally to exercise all powers\nincidental to a body corporate.\ns. 3\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6000/1956\nMelbourne Racing Club Act 1956\n4\n4. Vesting in body corporate of real and personal\nproperty of or held in trust for association\n(1) Upon the commencement of this Act and without\nany further or other authority than this Act there\nshall be vested in the body corporate—\n(a) all the lands specified in the Schedule to this\nAct for an estate in fee simple subject\nhowever to the encumbrances (if any)\nrecorded in the respective folios of the\nRegister of the said lands or otherwise\naffecting the same;\n(b) all other real property of whatsoever nature\nor tenure vested or held immediately before\nthe commencement of this Act in or by\ntrustees for the use or benefit of the members\nfor the time being of the association;\n(c) all personal property of whatsoever nature or\ndescription vested in or held by the\ncommittee of the association or any other\nperson on behalf of or for the use or benefit\nof the association.\n(2) The Registrar of Titles must make any recordings\non the folio of the Register referred to in sub-\nsection (1)(a) that are necessary or expedient in\nconsequence of this Act, and the holders of any\nrelevant certificates of title must if requested to do\nso deliver them to the Registrar of Titles.\n(3) Where any property vested in the body\ncorporate under or by virtue of paragraph (b) or\nparagraph (c) of sub-section (1) of this section\nconsists of land registered under the Transfer of\nLand Acts the Registrar of Titles upon application\nmade to him in that behalf and upon proof of the\nfacts relating thereto and on payment of the proper\nfees shall give effect in the Register to such\ns. 4\nS. 4(1)(a)\namended by\nNo. 18/1989\ns. 13(Sch. 2\nitem 52(a)(i)\n(ii)).\nS. 4(2)\nsubstituted by\nNo. 18/1989\ns. 13(Sch. 2\nitem 52(b)).\nS. 4(3)\namended by\nNo. 18/1989\ns. 13(Sch. 2\nitem 52(c)).\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6000/1956\nMelbourne Racing Club Act 1956\n5\nvesting by registering the body corporate as the\nproprietor of such land.\n5. Powers of body corporate\nIn addition to the powers otherwise conferred\nupon it by this Act the body corporate is hereby\nempowered and authorized—\n(a) to carry on the business of race-course\nproprietor and for that purpose to lay out and\nprepare lands for the conduct of horse pony\ndog and greyhound races of every kind,\ncoursing, drilling and reviewing of troops\nand for all kinds of athletic sports games and\ncompetitions including cricket football bowls\ngolf hockey baseball tennis polo agricultural\nhorse dog flower and other shows\nexhibitions and competitions and other forms\nof amusement recreation and entertainment\nand to promote hold and conduct or assist in\nholding or conducting all or any of the same\nand to utilize the property of the club for all\nor any of the said purposes and to give or\ncontribute towards prizes cups stakes or\nother rewards;\n(b) to use and maintain for all or any of the\npurposes aforesaid any lands and any other\nproperty of whatsoever description which\nmay from time to time be vested in or under\nthe control or in the possession of the club;\n(c) from time to time to build or erect upon any\nof the lands aforesaid all such buildings as\nmay in the opinion of the committee be\nnecessary or expedient for or in connexion\nwith all or any of the purposes aforesaid and\nto maintain repair and demolish any such\nbuildings as occasion may require;\ns. 5\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6000/1956\nMelbourne Racing Club Act 1956\n6\n(d) to carry on business as refreshment\ncontractors restaurant keepers and\nrefreshment room proprietors and (subject to\nthe provisions of the Licensing Acts) to sell\nand dispose of or make provision for the sale\nand disposal of spirituous and fermented\nliquors on or in any land or building for the\ntime being vested in or in the possession or\nunder the control of the club;\n(e) to borrow or lend money with or without\nsecurity and upon such terms as the\ncommittee may think fit and to invest or deal\nwith the moneys of the club in such manner\nas the committee may from time to time\ndetermine;\n(f) to employ a secretary and all such other\nofficials or employees as may in the opinion\nof the committee be required for any of the\npurposes aforesaid;\n(g) from time to time to prescribe vary and take\ntolls and charges for admission to any land\nor building for the time being vested in or\nunder the control or in the possession of the\nclub: Provided however that members of the\nclub shall be exempt either wholly or to such\nextent as is specified in the rules from\npayment of all or any such tolls and charges;\n(h) to establish and support or aid in the\nestablishment or support of associations\ninstitutions funds trusts and conveniences\ncalculated to benefit employees or former\nemployees of the club or the dependants or\nconnexions of such persons and to grant\npensions and allowances and to make\npayments towards insurances and to\nsubscribe or guarantee money for charitable\ns. 5\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6000/1956\nMelbourne Racing Club Act 1956\n7\nor benevolent objects or for any exhibition or\nfor any public general or useful object;\n(i) to enter into any arrangement or make any\ncontract or agreement with any Government\nor any authority (whether statutory or\notherwise) for the purpose of exercising or\ncarrying into execution any of the powers or\nauthorities by this Act conferred on the club\nand to obtain from such Government or\nauthority any rights privileges or concessions\nwhich the club might think it desirable to\nobtain and to carry out exercise and comply\nwith any such arrangement contract right\nprivilege or concession;\n(j) to do all such acts and things as may be\nincidental or conducive to the exercise of any\npower or authority conferred on the club by\nthis Act.\n6. Annual and special general meetings\n(1) In each calendar year there shall be one general\nmeeting (called the \"annual general meeting\") at\nwhich (subject to any provision to the contrary\ncontained in the rules) all members of the club\nshall be entitled to be present and to vote. There\nshall be transacted at such meeting all such\nbusiness as is prescribed in that behalf by the\nrules.\n(2) Special general meetings may be summoned from\ntime to time in the manner and for the purposes\nspecified in the rules.\n7. Committee\n(1) The business and affairs of the club shall be\nmanaged and controlled by a committee to be\nelected in manner hereinafter appearing and such\ncommittee is hereby authorized to exercise all\ns. 6\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6000/1956\nMelbourne Racing Club Act 1956\n8\npowers and authorities conferred by this Act on\nthe club.\n(2) Unless otherwise determined at a general meeting\nof the members of the club the committee shall\nconsist of ten members.\n(3) Members of the committee shall be elected at the\nannual general meeting of the club in accordance\nwith the provisions of the rules: Provided always\nthat any casual vacancy may, if the committee\nthinks fit, be filled at an election to be held at a\nspecial general meeting called by the committee\nfor that purpose.\n8. Application of income and property\nThe income and property of the club,\nwhencesoever derived, shall be applied solely\ntowards the promotion of the objects of the club\nand no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred\ndirectly or indirectly by way of dividend bonus or\notherwise howsoever by way of profit to members\nof the club.\n9. Application of property upon dissolution\nIf at any time the club is dissolved and upon its\ndissolution there remains after satisfaction of all\nits debts and liabilities any property whatsoever,\nthat property shall not be paid or distributed\namongst the members of the club but shall be\ngiven or transferred with the sanction of the\nGovernor in Council—\n(a) to some racing club or other club having\nsimilar objects carrying on in Victoria to be\ndetermined by members of the club at or\nbefore the time of dissolution; or\ns. 8\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6000/1956\nMelbourne Racing Club Act 1956\n9\n(b) if the members so determine, to some\ncharitable institution or institutions carrying\non in Victoria—\nthe constitution or rules of which club or\ninstitution or of each of which institutions prohibit\nthe distribution of its income and property\namongst its members.\n10. As to existing rights, actions etc. in relation to\nassociation\nAll contractual and other rights of any kind\nwhatsoever and all actions suits and proceedings\nat law or in equity which immediately prior to the\ncommencement of this Act might have been\nenforced commenced or continued by or against\nthe committee of the association or any person or\npersons as representing the association may upon\nthe commencement of this Act be enforced\ncommenced or continued by or (as the case may\nbe) against the club.\n11. Power to make vary and amend rules\n(1) The members of the club in general meeting\nassembled may from time to time make rules (not\ninconsistent with the provisions of this Act) with\nrespect to all or any of the matters specified in the\nnext succeeding sub-section and may from time to\ntime amend or revoke all or any of such rules.\n(2) Rules may be made as aforesaid for or with\nrespect to—\n(a) membership of the club including the\nelection or admission of members (including\nhonorary members) into the club, the\nexpulsion of members therefrom, the\npayment of entrance fees and annual\nsubscriptions, the rights and duties of\nmembers, and the cessation of membership;\ns. 10\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6000/1956\nMelbourne Racing Club Act 1956\n10\n(b) the election or appointment of the\ncommittee, the filling of casual vacancies,\nthe tenure of office of members of the\ncommittee, and the election of a chairman\nand vice chairman of the committee;\n(c) the calling and holding of the annual general\nmeeting or of special general meetings of\nmembers of the club, the procedure and\nproceedings thereat, and the business to be\ntransacted thereat;\n(d) the making of by-laws by the committee for\nall or any of the purposes specified in that\nbehalf in the rules;\n(e) the making or adoption of rules of racing\nunder which the club shall conduct race\nmeetings.\n(3) Every member of the club shall be bound by and\nshall observe all rules and by-laws which are\nmade or are in force under the provisions of this\nsection.\n(4) The rules and by-laws of the association in force\nimmediately prior to the commencement of this\nAct shall (except so far as the same are\ninconsistent with the provisions of this Act)\ncontinue to be the rules and by-laws of the club\nuntil the same are amended or revoked in manner\nprovided by this section.\n__________________\ns. 11\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6000/1956\nMelbourne Racing Club Act 1956\n11\nSCHEDULE\nLANDS VESTED IN MELBOURNE RACING CLUB BY\nTHIS ACT\nRegistered Crown Section or Subdivision Folio of the Register\nProprietors Allotment Portion Parish County Lot No. Plan No. Volume Folio\nPatrick Kennedy\nof 85 Budd-street,\nCollingwood,\nGentleman\nPart B \n\nPart 11  12 Dandenong Bourke . . . . 7092 394\nWilliam Pulteney\nMein of\n482 St. Kilda-\nroad, Melbourne,\nGrazier; Stanley\nGeorge\nGarnsworthy of\n8 Strand,\nWilliamstown,\nSecretary; Bernard\nNolan of\n595 Bourke-street,\nMelbourne,\nSolicitor; and\nPatrick Kennedy\nof 85 Budd-street,\nCollingwood,\nGentleman\n. . 10 Dandenong Bourke . . . . 6638 536\nWilliam Pulteney\nMein of\n482 St. Kilda-\nroad, Melbourne,\nGrazier and\nStanley George\nGarnsworthy of\n8 Strand,\nWilliamstown,\nSecretary\nPart B \n\nPart 11 \n12\n10 at\nSpringvale\nDandenong\nDandenong\nBourke\nBourke\n. .\n. .\n. .\n. .\n2972\n3009\n249\n643\nWilliam Pulteney\nMein of\n482 St. Kilda-\nroad, Melbourne,\nGrazier and\nStanley George\nGarnsworthy of\n8 Strand,\nWilliamstown,\nSecretary\nA 12 Dandenong Bourke 70, 71 4817 7973 114\nWilliam Pulteney\nMein of\n482 St. Kilda-\nroad, Melbourne,\nGrazier and\nStanley George\nGarnsworthy of\n8 Strand,\nWilliamstown,\nSecretary\nD 12\n10\nDandenong Bourke 7, 8, 9, 13,\n39, 40, 41,\n75, 82, 98\nand 101\n28\n9395\n12207\n8094\n5544\n6764\n7143\n7143\n5796\n5460\n5403\n6930\n6742\n4796\n800\n745\n722\n426\n425\n195\n969\n474\n855\n296\n131\nSch.\namended by\nNo. 18/1989\ns. 13(Sch. 2\nitem 52(d)).\nSch.\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6000/1956\nMelbourne Racing Club Act 1956\n12\nRegistered Crown Section or Subdivision Folio of the Register\nProprietors Allotment Portion Parish County Lot No. Plan No. Volume Folio\nLeonard Roberts\nStillman and\nClifford William\nPlumpton Wilson,\nboth of 422 Little\nCollins-street,\nMelbourne,\nSolicitors\nD 12 Dandenong Bourke 4, 5, 6, 10,\n11, 14, 17,\n18, 19, 20,\n23, 24, 26,\n33, 61, 62,\n63, 64, 65,\n66, 67, 68,\n69, 70, 71,\n73, 74, 76,\n77, 78, 79,\n81, 83, 84,\n85, 86, 92,\n93, 94, 95,\n96, 97, 99,\n100, 102,\n105 and\n106\n9395 7414\n6158\n5448\n6915\n4796\n5558\n7414\n7222\n7143\n8007\n7143\n5145\n7143\n7540\n5403\n7887\n7883\n5693\n7045\n5381\n5381\n7648\n8069\n5392\n7143\n7143\n5448\n6808\n7180\n5602\n5403\n7359\n7359\n7414\n5392\n7143\n5497\n5436\n7461\n7143\n730\n458\n435\n927\n130\n598\n729\n380\n421\n143\n424\n995\n418\n188\n472\n187\n194\n483\n951\n053\n054\n121\n920\n334\n428\n423\n434\n513\n979\n362\n473\n663\n664\n728\n335\n419\n290\n101\n120\n427\nRobert Vivian\nGove of 5\nMoralla- road,\nKooyong, Grazier\nand Thomas\nSymington\nCarolyn of\n618 Toorak-road,\nToorak, Company\nDirector\nD 12 Dandenong Bourke 87 9395 5173 444\nWilliam Pulteney\nMein of\n482 St. Kilda-\nroad, Melbourne,\nGrazier and\nStanley George\nGarnsworthy of\n8 Strand,\nWilliamstown,\nSecretary\nD 12 Dandenong Bourke 1, 2, 5, 29,\n32 and 36\n10180 6742\n7143\n5656\n7143\n7363\n5187\n295\n410\n078\n413\n434\n274\nSch.\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6000/1956\nMelbourne Racing Club Act 1956\n13\nRegistered Crown Section or Subdivision Folio of the Register\nProprietors Allotment Portion Parish County Lot No. Plan No. Volume Folio\nLeonard Roberts\nStillman and\nClifford William\nPlumpton Wilson,\nboth of 422 Little\nCollins-street,\nMelbourne,\nSolicitors\n. . . . Dandenong Bourke 30, 31, 33,\n34, 35, and\n37\n10180 7143\n8000\n4958\n5503\n7143\n7143\n408\n182\n559\n558\n416\n417\nRobert Vivian\nGove of 5\nMoralla-road,\nKooyong, Grazier\nand Thomas\nSymington\nCarolyn of\n618 Toorak-road,\nToorak, Company\nDirector\n. . 10 Dandenong Bourke 114, 115,\n119, 120,\n121, 122,\n123, 124,\n125, 126,\n127, 153,\n154, 155,\n156, 157,\n164, 169,\n170,174,\n175, 179,\n180, 181,\n182, 183,\n196, 199,\n201, 202,\n206, 207,\n209, 210,\n213, 214,\n216, 217,\n218, 219,\n222, 225,\n226, 228,\n229, 230,\n231, 235,\n240, 241,\n252, 253,\n254, 266,\n269, 280,\n408\n12207 7948\n7804\n5980\n7968\n7919\n7805\n6869\n7878\n7965\n7969\n7969\n7969\n7925\n7415\n7372\n7493\n5612\n5612\n7029\n7817\n5631\n6003\n6005\n7809\n5743\n7817\n6930\n6930\n5786\n6003\n7424\n6930\n8031\n7969\n7969\n7709\n6403\n5738\n136\n181\n909\n096\n005\n076\n615\n089\n134\n062\n061\n059\n161\n856\n279\n011\n317\n319\n666\n045\n013\n585\n883\n025\n596\n044\n848\n849\n175\n584\n707\n850\n322\n060\n065\n058\n423\n522\nSch.\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6000/1956\nMelbourne Racing Club Act 1956\n14\nRegistered Crown Section or Subdivision Folio of the Register\nProprietors Allotment Portion Parish County Lot No. Plan No. Volume Folio\nLeonard Roberts\nStillman and\nClifford William\nPlumpton Wilson,\nboth of 422 Little\nCollins-street,\nMelbourne,\nSolicitors\n. . 10 Dandenong Bourke 116, 117,\n118, 128,\n150, 151,\n152, 159,\n163, 185,\n186, 187,\n188, 189,\n191, 192,\n193, 194,\n195, 197,\n198, 200,\n203, 204,\n205, 215,\n220, 221,\n223, 224,\n227, 233,\n234, 236,\n237, 238,\n239, 248,\n249, 250,\n251, 255,\n256\n12207 8033\n8033\n7912\n5631\n6383\n5864\n5612\n7969\n7422\n5612\n7601\n5621\n7969\n7817\n7925\n5646\n7601\n5612\n6844\n7915\n5535\n5706\n5535\n5727\n5785\n6843\n6844\n6488\n5853\n5943\n5612\n035\n036\n161\n015\n563\n673\n323\n064\n340\n321\n195\n098\n063\n048\n162\n108\n194\n318\n776\n064\n899\n094\n902\n349\n818\n448\n777\n525\n520\n541\n320\nWilliam Pulteney\nMein of\n482 St. Kilda-\nroad, Melbourne,\nGrazier and\nStanley George\nGarnsworthy of\n8 Strand,\nWilliamstown,\nSecretary\n. . . . Dandenong Bourke 28, 208,\n211, 212,\n242, 243,\n244, 245,\n246, 247,\n257, 258,\n259, 260\n12207 6856\n7957\n7525\n5535\n5745\n6488\n7232\n5631\n6240\n096\n128\n114\n902\n598\n524\n206\n014\n830\nAndrew Ammel\nEricksen of\nBalmoral-avenue,\nSpringvale,\nCartage\nContractor\n. . 10 at\nSpringvale\nDandenong Bourke 111, 112,\nand 113\n12207 5865\n7693\n850\n136\nGeorge Dominic\nO'Loughlin of\nOsborne, via\nMornington,\nSchool Teacher\n. . 10 at\nSpringvale\nDandenong Bourke 184 12207 5535 902\nRobert James\nCulverell Burns of\n8 Glyndon-\navenue, Brighton,\nAccountant\n. . 13\n13\nDandenong\nDandenong\nBourke\nBourke\n168, 171,\nand 172\n3, 4, 5, 6,\n23, 24, 29,\n30, and 31\n16947\n17712\n7197\n7910\n7143\n7871\n7871\n7197\n7871\n202\n022\n451\n002\n003\n211\n004\nSch.\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6000/1956\nMelbourne Racing Club Act 1956\n15\nRegistered Crown Section or Subdivision Folio of the Register\nProprietors Allotment Portion Parish County Lot No. Plan No. Volume Folio\nWilliam Pulteney\nMein of\n482 St. Kilda-\nroad, Melbourne,\nGrazier; Stanley\nGeorge\nGarnsworthy of\n8 Strand,\nWilliamstown,\nSecretary; and\nBernard Nolan of\n595 Bourke-street,\nMelbourne,\nSolicitor\nA 12 Dandenong Bourke 1 and 2 18775 7595 065\n═══════════════\nSch.\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6000/1956\nMelbourne Racing Club Act 1956\n16\nENDNOTES\n1. General Information\nThe Melbourne Racing Club Act 1956 was assented to on 16 October 1956\nand came into operation on 16 October 1956.\nEndnotes\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6000/1956\nMelbourne Racing Club Act 1956\n17\n2. Table of Amendments\nThis Version incorporates amendments made to the Melbourne Racing\nClub Act 1956 by Acts and subordinate instruments.\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\nTransfer of Land (Computer Register) Act 1989, No. 18/1989\nAssent Date: 16.5.89\nCommencement Date: 3.2.92: Government Gazette 18.12.91 p. 3488\nCurrent State: All of Act in operation\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\nEndnotes\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6000/1956\nMelbourne Racing Club Act 1956\n18\n3. Explanatory Details\nNo entries at date of publication.\nEndnotes","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available metadata, there is no clear evidence that the scope of this Act has materially changed from its original 1956 intent. It appears to remain a narrow, organisation-specific piece of legislation. However, consolidated version status suggests some amendments have been made over time, the nature of which cannot be assessed from the provided text alone."},"complexity_factors":["Limited substantive content available in the provided text — mostly metadata and version history","Likely a short, narrow-purpose incorporation-style Act typical of mid-20th century Victorian legislation","Single-subject legislation focused on one specific organisation reduces complexity","Age of the Act (1956) may mean it uses older legislative drafting conventions that require interpretation","Interaction with broader racing regulation legislation (e.g., Racing Act 1958) may add external complexity not visible in this extract"],"plain_english_summary":"The Melbourne Racing Club Act 1956 is a Victorian law that incorporates and gives formal legal status to the Melbourne Racing Club, enabling it to own property, enter contracts and operate under a tailored governance framework.  \n\nIt affects the Club’s members, racegoers, betting participants, racing industry stakeholders and parties dealing with Club-controlled land, and matters because it grants the Club special legal standing and powers beyond ordinary association law."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act's core scope—incorporating the Melbourne Racing Club, vesting property and granting powers—remains intact. Amendments noted (Transfer of Land (Computer Register) Act 1989) altered the procedural mechanics for recording title changes and Registrar of Titles duties under s.4(2)–(3) rather than changing the Club's substantive powers or governance in this text (see Endnotes/Table of Amendments)."},"complexity_factors":["Statutory vesting of multiple parcels of land and other property into the corporation (s.4 and Schedule) increases administrative work for title transfer and record updates.","Registrar of Titles obligations and registration procedure changes for transferred land (s.4(2)–(3)); later amended by Transfer of Land (Computer Register) Act 1989 (Endnotes/Table of Amendments).","Broad, non‑detailed commercial powers granted to the Club (s.3, s.5(a)–(j)) create wide managerial discretion over land use, building works and commercial activities.","Committee governance and election mechanics set by rules but with a default committee size (s.6–7), producing internal rule‑making and electoral compliance obligations.","Members bound by rules and by‑laws made under the Act (s.11), shifting private contractual relations into a statutory rule regime.","Restriction on distribution of income and prescribed application of assets on dissolution; disposal on winding up requires Governor in Council sanction (s.8–9), adding a formal external approval point.","References to Licensing Acts (s.5(d)) and potential interactions with other regulatory regimes create cross‑compliance points for liquor and other licences.","Transitional recognition of existing rights, actions and proceedings (s.10) requires continuity checks for contracts and litigation.","Schedule lists many named lots and historical proprietors, which could complicate title queries and practical conveyancing."],"plain_english_summary":"**Creates a corporate body called the Melbourne Racing Club**, vests specified land and other property in it, and sets out its powers (running racecourses, developing buildings, selling refreshments, borrowing and investing), governance (members, annual meetings, committee) and rules on income use and dissolution. It affects the Club's members, trustees, title‑holders and any third parties who deal with the Club because legal title, management authority and regulatory obligations move from the voluntary association to the new corporation."},"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"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains focused on its original purpose: incorporating the Melbourne Racing Club and vesting specific racecourse lands in it. The only amendments (1989) were technical updates to land registration procedures to accommodate computerised registers, not substantive expansions of scope."},"complexity_factors":["Short statute (11 sections plus Schedule)","Only 6 defined terms in the interpretation section","Minimal cross-referencing (primarily internal references to 'the Club', 'the body corporate', and 'the Schedule')","Straightforward vesting mechanism with simple administrative requirements for land registration","Single amendment incorporated (Transfer of Land (Computer Register) Act 1989) affecting only technical land registration provisions in sections 4(1)(a), 4(2), 4(3) and the Schedule","No nested exceptions or conditional logic beyond standard provisos (e.g., 'Provided however that members...shall be exempt')","Clear sequential structure: incorporation → property transfer → powers → governance → dissolution"],"plain_english_summary":"This law creates a legal entity called the **Melbourne Racing Club** and transfers ownership of land and assets to it.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Incorporates** the Melbourne Racing Club as a legal body corporate (a legal 'person' that can own property, sue, and be sued)\n- **Transfers** specific land titles (listed in the Schedule) and all other property held by the old voluntary association to this new legal entity\n- **Grants powers** to run racecourses, hold sporting events, sell refreshments (including alcohol with proper licences), borrow money, and employ staff\n- **Sets up governance** requiring annual general meetings and a committee of up to 10 members to manage the club\n- **Protects assets** by requiring that all income be used for club purposes only—not distributed as profits to members—and that if the club winds up, remaining assets must go to another racing club or charity, not members\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Members of the Melbourne Racing Club\n- People holding land titles on behalf of the old association (who must transfer them)\n- The Registrar of Titles (who must update land records)\n\n**Why it matters:**\nBefore this Act, the club was just a voluntary association without legal standing. This law gave it corporate status so it could properly own land, build grandstands, enter contracts, and manage the racecourse at Caulfield (the land described in the Schedule) as a permanent institution rather than a loose group of individuals."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/melbourne-racing-club-act-1956","history":"/api/acts/melbourne-racing-club-act-1956/history","analysis":"/api/acts/melbourne-racing-club-act-1956/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/melbourne-racing-club-act-1956/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/melbourne-racing-club-act-1956/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/melbourne-racing-club-act-1956/documents"}}