{"id":"nsw:act-1910-wci","name":"Wesley College Incorporation Act 1910","slug":"wesley-college-incorporation-act-1910","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"wci of 1910","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":112003,"registerId":"nsw-act-1910-wci-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Act","content":"#### 1 Name of Act\n\n1 Name of Act\n\n> This Act may be cited as the [Wesley College Incorporation Act 1910](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1910-wci).\n> \n> **s 1:** Ins 1991 No 94, Sch 1.","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 2 Definitions\n\n2 Definitions\n\n> In this Act:\n> \n> by-laws means the by-laws made by the council under section 16 and in force for the time being.\n> \n> college means Wesley College, University of Sydney.\n> \n> corporation means the body corporate constituted by section 3.\n> \n> council means the Council of Wesley College constituted by section 9.\n> \n> councillor means a member of the corporation.\n> \n> Moderator means the Moderator for the time being of the Synod, and includes any person for the time being authorised by the Synod to perform or carry out the functions or duties of Moderator.\n> \n> Principal means the Principal of the college appointed under section 5.\n> \n> Synod means the Synod of The Uniting Church in Australia in New South Wales.\n> \n> the church means the Uniting Church in Australia.\n> \n> **s 2 (previously s 1):** Subst 1977 No 47, Sch 3, cl 1 (a). Am 1991 No 94, Sch 1. Subst 2008 No 62, Sch 1.41 \\[1\\].\n> \n> **s 2 (as originally enacted):** Rep 1991 No 94, Sch 1.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Constitution of corporation","content":"#### 3 Constitution of corporation\n\n3 Constitution of corporation\n\n> > (1) There is constituted by this Act a body corporate with the corporate name of the Principal and Councillors of Wesley College.\n> \n> > (2) The corporation consists of:\n> > \n> > > (a) the Principal, and\n> > \n> > > (b) 12 other councillors.\n> \n> > (3) The councillors (other than the Principal) are to be elected or appointed in accordance with the by-laws.\n> \n> > (4) The councillors (other than the Principal) hold office for the term provided by the by-laws.\n> \n> > (5) The procedure at meetings of the corporation is to be as provided by the by-laws.\n> \n> **s 3:** Subst 1991 No 94, Sch 1. Am 2008 No 62, Sch 1.41 \\[2\\].","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Restraining disposal of lands derived from the Crown","content":"#### 4 Restraining disposal of lands derived from the Crown\n\n4 Restraining disposal of lands derived from the Crown\n\n> Provided always that it shall not be lawful for the corporation, or any person or persons seised of or entitled to lands in trust for the corporation or for the purposes of the college, to alienate, mortgage, charge, or demise any lands or hereditaments granted to or in trust for the corporation or for the purposes of the college by His Majesty or his successors without the consent in writing of the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council for the time being.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Principal of the college","content":"#### 5 Principal of the college\n\n5 Principal of the college\n\n> > (1) The Principal of the college is to be appointed by the council in accordance with the by-laws.\n> \n> > (2) The Principal must accept the Basis of Union set out in Schedule 2 to the [Uniting Church in Australia Act 1977](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1977-047) and agree to uphold the values and ethos of the church.\n> \n> > (3) The council may from time to time determine the terms and conditions on which the Principal holds office.\n> \n> > (4) If the person holding office as Principal is not an ordained minister of the church, the council must use its best endeavours to appoint an ordained minister of the church as Chaplain to the college.\n> \n> **s 5:** Am 1977 No 47, Sch 3, cl 1 (b); 1991 No 94, Sch 1. Subst 2008 No 62, Sch 1.41 \\[3\\].","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"#### 6\n\n6–8 (Repealed)","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Constitution of council","content":"#### 9 Constitution of council\n\n9 Constitution of council\n\n> > (1) The Principal, and the councillors for the time being shall form a council to be called the Council of Wesley College, in which shall be vested at all times the government in every respect of the college, and all matters relating thereto. No temporary vacancy or vacancies in the office of Principal, or in the number of councillors of the college shall be deemed in any way to affect the constitution of the college or its privileges or status as an incorporated body.\n> \n> > (2) The number of members at a council meeting that constitute a quorum is to be as provided by the by-laws.\n> \n> **s 9:** Am 1991 No 94, Sch 1; 2008 No 62, Sch 1.41 \\[5\\] \\[6\\].","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"#### 10\n\n10–12A\n\n**s 10:** Am 1977 No 47, Sch 3, cl 1 (d); 1991 No 94, Sch 1. Rep 2008 No 62, Sch 1.41 \\[4\\].\n\n**s 11:** Am 1977 No 47, Sch 3, cl 1 (e). Subst 1991 No 94, Sch 1. Rep 2008 No 62, Sch 1.41 \\[4\\].\n\n**s 11A:** Ins 1991 No 94, Sch 1. Rep 2008 No 62, Sch 1.41 \\[4\\].\n\n**s 12:** Am 1991 No 94, Sch 1. Rep 2008 No 62, Sch 1.41 \\[4\\].\n\n**s 12A:** Ins Wesley College Incorporation (Amendment) Act 1967, sec 2. Rep 1991 No 94, Sch 1.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Visitor","content":"#### 13 Visitor\n\n13 Visitor\n\n> The Moderator shall be the visitor of the college, and shall have the right to visit the college at any time to examine into the manner in which it is conducted, and to see that its laws and regulations are duly observed and executed.\n> \n> **s 13:** Am 1977 No 47, Sch 3, cl 1 (f).","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Removal or suspension of Principal","content":"#### 14 Removal or suspension of Principal\n\n14 Removal or suspension of Principal\n\n> The Principal shall be liable to removal or suspension from office as such Principal for a sufficient cause by the council: Provided that, if the Principal is a minister of the church and if the ground of complaint shall be any breach of the discipline and laws of the church, or shall concern the theological or religious doctrines or teaching of the Principal the councillors shall not adjudicate thereon, but shall remit the same for trial to the courts of the church constituted by and under the laws thereof for dealing with such questions affecting its ministers, and the decision of the Synod sitting as one of such courts or such other court of the church having jurisdiction in that regard by virtue of the Constitution of the church and the regulations of the church shall be final.\n> \n> **s 14:** Am 1977 No 47, Sch 3, cl 1 (g); 1991 No 94, Sch 1; 2008 No 62, Sch 1.41 \\[7\\].","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Appointment and removal of professors and tutors","content":"#### 15 Appointment and removal of professors and tutors\n\n15 Appointment and removal of professors and tutors\n\n> All professors and tutors in the college shall be chosen and appointed, and shall be liable to removal or suspension, by the council.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"16","sectionType":"section","heading":"By-laws","content":"#### 16 By-laws\n\n16 By-laws\n\n> > (1) The council of the college shall have power from time to time to make and establish all such by-laws and rules for carrying into effect the several provisions and objects of this Act as to the council shall seem expedient, and such laws and rules from time to time to alter and revoke or to substitute others in their places.\n> \n> > (2) Any such by-law or rule is, within 30 days after being made by the council, to be sent to the Moderator to be laid before the next Synod.\n> \n> **s 16:** Am 1977 No 47, Sch 3, cl 1 (h); 1991 No 94, Sch 1.","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"17","sectionType":"section","heading":"Control over students","content":"#### 17 Control over students\n\n17 Control over students\n\n> The Principal of the college, subject only to this Act and the by-laws and rules so made, shall have the general superintendence and control of the students and of the institution.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"18","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"#### 18\n\n18 (Repealed)","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"19","sectionType":"section","heading":"Wesley College to be a college of and within the University","content":"#### 19 Wesley College to be a college of and within the University\n\n19 Wesley College to be a college of and within the University\n\n> Wesley College, hereby incorporated, shall be a college of and within the University of Sydney, and all students within the college shall, immediately upon entering therein, matriculate in the University, and shall thereafter submit and be subject to the discipline thereof, and shall be required duly and regularly to attend the lectures of the University on those subjects an examination and proficiency in which are required for honors and degrees, with the exception (if thought fit by the council) of the lectures on ethics, metaphysics, and modern history, but students, after taking their degrees at the University, may continue in the college for a period not exceeding four years for the purpose of prosecuting such branches of learning as may not be taught in the University.","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"20","sectionType":"section","heading":"Savings and transitional provisions","content":"#### 20 Savings and transitional provisions\n\n20 Savings and transitional provisions\n\n> > (1) Until the first election or appointment of all councillors under the by-laws after the commencement of this section, the corporation comprises those persons who constituted the corporation immediately before the commencement of this section.\n> \n> > (2) The person who held office as Principal immediately before the commencement of this section is taken to have been appointed as Principal in accordance with this Act as amended by the [Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008](/view/html/repealed/current/act-2008-062), and is taken to have been appointed subject to the same terms and conditions as those on which the person was appointed, and for the remainder of the person’s term of office as Principal.\n> \n> **s 20:** Rep 1991 No 94, Sch 1. Ins 2008 No 62, Sch 1.41 \\[8\\].\n> \n> **whole Act:** Am 1991 No 94, Sch 1 (“said” omitted wherever occurring).","sortOrder":17}],"analysis":{"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 Act remains focused on its original purpose: incorporating Wesley College and establishing its governance framework. While amended several times (notably in 1977 to reflect the formation of the Uniting Church, in 1991 for modernisation, and in 2008 for further streamlining), these changes have maintained the core scope. The 2008 amendments actually reduced complexity by repealing several sections. The Act has not expanded beyond its original intent of providing a statutory framework for this specific residential college."},"complexity_factors":["Short statute with only 20 sections, many of which are repealed or transitional","Only 9 defined terms in the interpretation section (section 2)","Minimal cross-referencing—primarily internal references to 'by-laws' and one reference to the Uniting Church in Australia Act 1977","Simple conditional logic: one protective proviso in section 4, one conditional requirement in section 5(4), and one disciplinary carve-out in section 14","Straightforward governance structure without nested exceptions or complex administrative procedures","Historical amendments have simplified rather than complicated the Act (sections 6-8, 10-12A, and 18 repealed)"],"plain_english_summary":"This Act creates a legal structure for Wesley College, a residential college at the University of Sydney affiliated with the Uniting Church.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Creates a corporation**: Establishes a legal body called 'the Principal and Councillors of Wesley College' to own property and run the college. The corporation consists of the Principal plus 12 elected councillors.\n- **Sets up governance**: Creates a Council that manages the college. The Council makes by-laws (internal rules) for how the college operates.\n- **Protects church interests**: The Principal must accept the Uniting Church's 'Basis of Union' (its founding theological document) and uphold church values. If the Principal isn't an ordained minister, the college must try to appoint a chaplain who is.\n- **Provides oversight**: The Moderator of the NSW Synod of the Uniting Church acts as 'Visitor'—someone who can inspect the college to ensure it's following its rules.\n- **Restricts land sales**: Any land granted by the Crown (government) to the college cannot be sold, mortgaged, or leased without written approval from the Governor of NSW.\n- **Links to the University**: Students must enrol at the University of Sydney and follow university rules, though they can stay at the college for up to four years after graduating to continue their studies.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Students and staff of Wesley College\n- The Uniting Church in Australia (NSW Synod)\n- The University of Sydney\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis is a 'private Act' that gives a specific religious educational institution its legal powers. It balances the college's independence with accountability to both the church (through the Visitor and religious requirements for the Principal) and the state (through land restrictions and university affiliation)."},"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act has been amended at least four times since 1910 (in 1967, 1977, 1991, and 2008), indicating that its scope or governance arrangements have been updated over time — likely to reflect changes in the college's structure, the transition from Methodist to Uniting Church governance, or modernisation of corporate law requirements. However, without access to the actual text of the amendments, the precise nature of any scope changes cannot be determined from the provided content."},"complexity_factors":["Only the metadata and status information is available — the actual operative provisions (the substantive legal text) of the Act are not included in the provided content, making full analysis impossible","Private Acts of this era are typically narrow in scope, dealing only with one specific organisation","Incorporation legislation of this type follows well-established legal patterns and is generally straightforward in purpose","Multiple amendments over more than a century may have introduced layered changes to the original text, but these are not visible here"],"plain_english_summary":"Wesley College Incorporation Act 1910 is a private NSW law that legally creates Wesley College as a body corporate. It gives the college capacity to own property, enter contracts, sue and be sued, and persist independently of individual officeholders. It primarily affects the college, its governors, staff, students and counterparties by providing the institution’s enduring legal foundation."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Successive amendments and repeals have altered governance mechanics and removed obsolete provisions. The text now emphasises council‑based appointments and by‑law delegation, formalises links to the Uniting Church (Principal’s acceptance of the Basis of Union, Moderator oversight) and preserves executive control over Crown‑derived land disposal (see s 2 amendment notes; s 3 substitution; s 5; s 13; s 16; s 20). These changes narrow legislative detail by shifting operational rules into by‑laws while adding church and executive approval layers."},"complexity_factors":["Delegation of many operational details to by‑laws (s 3(3)–(5); s 16) creates interpretive reliance on non‑statutory instruments.","External oversight and approval requirements: Governor’s written consent for disposal of Crown‑derived land (s 4); Moderator as visitor with review role (s 13); by‑laws to be laid before Synod (s 16(2)).","Religious alignment conditions for the Principal: mandatory acceptance of the Basis of Union and a chaplaining requirement (s 5).","Division of removal/jurisdiction in disciplinary matters where church courts, not the council, decide theological complaints against a minister (s 14).","Statutory cross‑references to the Uniting Church legislation and multiple recorded amendments/repeals increase tracing and historical interpretation work (see s 2, amendment notes; s 20 transitional provision).","Property restraint wording is traditional and requires executive sign‑off (s 4), raising procedural and administrative steps for land transactions."],"plain_english_summary":"The Act creates Wesley College as a corporate body, vests governance in a council made up of the Principal and 12 councillors, and gives that council power to make by‑laws, appoint and remove staff, and control students. It requires the Principal to accept the Uniting Church’s Basis of Union and gives the Synod’s Moderator a visitor/oversight role; Crown‑granted college land cannot be alienated without the Governor’s written consent. It affects college officers, councillors, students, the Synod and the Governor."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/wesley-college-incorporation-act-1910","history":"/api/acts/wesley-college-incorporation-act-1910/history","analysis":"/api/acts/wesley-college-incorporation-act-1910/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/wesley-college-incorporation-act-1910/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/wesley-college-incorporation-act-1910/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/wesley-college-incorporation-act-1910/documents"}}