{"id":"nsw:act-1906-ymc","name":"Young Men’s Christian Association of Sydney Incorporation Act 1906","slug":"young-men-s-christian-association-of-sydney-incorporation-act-1906","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"ymc of 1906","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":112031,"registerId":"nsw-act-1906-ymc-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 [Young Men’s Christian Association of Sydney Incorporation Act 1906](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1906-ymc).","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"1A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 1A Definitions\n\n1A Definitions\n\n> In this Act, except in so far as the context or subject-matter otherwise indicates or requires:\n> \n> associate member means a person who:\n> \n> > (a) is a member, not being a voting member, of a centre or branch within the Association, or\n> \n> > (b) is admitted as an associate member of the Association by the board of directors.\n> \n> Association means the Young Men’s Christian Association of Sydney.\n> \n> voting member means a person who:\n> \n> > (a) subscribes to the objects of the Association,\n> \n> > (b) has paid such subscriptions and levies as the board of directors requires, from time to time, to be paid by a voting member, and\n> \n> > (c) is admitted as a voting member of the Association by the board of directors.\n> \n> young people means young men and young women.\n> \n> **s 1A:** Ins 1976 No 60, Sch 1 (1).","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Association incorporated","content":"#### 2 Association incorporated\n\n2 Association incorporated\n\n> A body corporate is hereby constituted which shall consist of all persons who are now full members or associates of the association known as the New South Wales Young Men’s Christian Association, and and all other persons who may hereafter, in pursuance of this Act, or of the articles of the constitution referred to herein, become full members, associates, voting members or associate members of the said body corporate.\n> \n> **s 2:** Am 1976 No 60, Sch 1 (2).","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name and powers","content":"#### 3 Name and powers\n\n3 Name and powers\n\n> The body corporate, so constituted as aforesaid, shall be known by the name of the Young Men’s Christian Association of Sydney, and by that name shall have perpetual succession and a common seal, and may sue and be sued or otherwise appear and answer, be answered, or proceed, or be proceeded against in all courts.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"3A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Objects","content":"#### 3A Objects\n\n3A Objects\n\n> The objects of the Association are:\n> \n> > (a) to promote and further Christian beliefs and Christian living,\n> \n> > (b) to promote and further the spirit of the declaration adopted in Paris in 1855, known as the “Paris Basis”, which is as follows:\n> > \n> > The Young Men’s Christian Associations seek to unite those young men who, regarding Jesus Christ as their God and Saviour according to the Holy Scriptures, desire to be His disciples in their faith and in their life, and to associate their efforts for the extension of His Kingdom amongst young men.\n> \n> > (c) to promote the spiritual, mental, moral, social, physical and material well-being of young people generally and to assist them to become Christians in faith and practice and active members of the Christian Church,\n> \n> > (d) to remain a member of The National Council of Young Men’s Christian Associations of Australia,\n> \n> > (e) to promote the interests of the Young Men’s Christian Association movement,\n> \n> > (f) to procure and provide facilities, including effective trained leadership, enabling young people to become associated in groups,\n> \n> > (g) to procure and provide educational, cultural and recreational facilities for young people,\n> \n> > (h) to promote and encourage the training of leaders of youth groups and other social workers interested in the welfare of young people,\n> \n> > (i) to provide facilities enabling young people in poor circumstances to participate in any activity or youth group,\n> \n> > (j) to promote an awareness in the community of:\n> > \n> > > (i) the needs of young people as members of society and of the place and value of group programmes in the satisfaction of those needs, and\n> > \n> > > (ii) the needs of society in respect of the effective participation of young people,\n> \n> > (k) to promote and form branches or youth centres in metropolitan, urban or suburban areas and to exercise supervision over those branches or centres,\n> \n> > (l) to act as an advisory body and to assist any organisation on matters relating to young people,\n> \n> > (m) to make representations for the advancement and betterment of young people, and\n> \n> > (n) to acquire and disseminate information relating to any facet of the behaviour of young people.\n> \n> **s 3A:** Ins 1976 No 60, Sch 1 (3).","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Articles of constitution of the association, and amendment thereof","content":"#### 4 Articles of constitution of the association, and amendment thereof\n\n4 Articles of constitution of the association, and amendment thereof\n\n> > (1) The articles of the constitution of the said body corporate shall, subject to the [Young Men’s Christian Association of Sydney Incorporation (Amendment) Act 1976](/view/pdf/asmade/act-1976-60), and any addition or alteration made in accordance with this section, be the articles of the Association in force immediately before the date of assent to the [Young Men’s Christian Association of Sydney Incorporation (Amendment) Act 1976](/view/pdf/asmade/act-1976-60).\n> \n> > (2) Any proposed addition to or alteration of the said articles shall be submitted in writing at an ordinary meeting of the board of directors, and received without discussion.\n> \n> > (3) At the next ordinary meeting of the board of directors, of which not less than fourteen days notice shall have been given, such proposed addition to or alteration of the said articles shall be open for discussion or amendment, and the proposed addition or alteration, or any amendment thereof, if approved by not less than two-thirds of those present when the motion is put (excluding the chairman of the meeting for the time being), shall be submitted to a special meeting of the voting members for confirmation.\n> \n> > (4) The proposed addition to or alteration of the said articles shall be submitted to a special meeting of the voting members, and if approved by not less than two-thirds of such members present when the motion is put (excluding the chairman for the time being), shall be embodied in the said articles.\n> \n> > (5) Any article of the constitution opposed to the provisions of this Act shall be absolutely null and void.\n> \n> > (6) (Repealed)\n> \n> **s 4:** Am 1976 No 60, Sch 1 (4).","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"The association and its property to be governed by board of directors","content":"#### 5 The association and its property to be governed by board of directors\n\n5 The association and its property to be governed by board of directors\n\n> The body corporate and its property shall be governed, managed, and disposed of by the board of directors for the time being, subject to the articles of the constitution hereinbefore referred to or made under the provisions of this Act.\n> \n> **s 5:** Am 1976 No 60, Sch 1 (5).","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Property of the New South Wales Young Men’s Christian Association vested in the body corporate","content":"#### 6 Property of the New South Wales Young Men’s Christian Association vested in the body corporate\n\n6 Property of the New South Wales Young Men’s Christian Association vested in the body corporate\n\n> > (1) All real and personal property which is now or may hereafter at any time be vested in or held by any person in trust for or on behalf of the association known as the Young Men’s Christian Association of Sydney (including the lands described in the Schedule hereto) is and shall be hereby transferred to and vested in the said body corporate; and all other persons are hereby divested of any such property of which they are seized or possessed, and all rights accrued or accruing to any person on behalf of such association are hereby vested in and may be enforced by, and all liabilities of the said association, or of any person on behalf of the said association, may be enforced against the said body corporate.\n> \n> > (2) The trustees in whom is vested any such real or personal property are hereby discharged from all liabilities which they may have incurred by reason of the transfer of the management or control of such real or personal property or by reason of any acts done by them in connection with such transfer.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Additional powers of the body corporate","content":"#### 7 Additional powers of the body corporate\n\n7 Additional powers of the body corporate\n\n> > (1) The body corporate may, for the purposes for which it is constituted, purchase, exchange, take on lease, hold, dispose of and otherwise deal with any real or personal property and may do and suffer all other things that bodies corporate generally may, by law, do and suffer and that are necessary for or incidental to the purposes for which it is constituted.\n> \n> > (2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the body corporate may, for the purposes for which it is constituted, do any one or more of the following:\n> > \n> > > (a) affiliate with any corporate or unincorporate body,\n> > \n> > > (b) borrow or raise money,\n> > \n> > > (c) secure the repayment of any money or of any debt or liability or the performance of any contract or agreement,\n> > \n> > > (d) raise funds by means of public appeal or otherwise,\n> > \n> > > (e) construct, maintain, alter or rebuild any house, building or work,\n> > \n> > > (f) carry out works on any of its property,\n> > \n> > > (g) provide accommodation on any of its property,\n> > \n> > > (h) permit the occupation or use of any of its property by any person upon such terms and conditions as it may from time to time determine either generally or in a particular case,\n> > \n> > > (i) purchase, sell, supply or otherwise deal in any provisions or goods,\n> > \n> > > (j) appoint and employ officers and employees,\n> > \n> > > (k) undertake and execute any trust, and\n> > \n> > > (l) enter into and execute any contract or agreement.\n> \n> **s 7:** Subst 1976 No 60, Sch 1 (6).","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Mode of dealing with property","content":"#### 8 Mode of dealing with property\n\n8 Mode of dealing with property\n\n> The board of directors shall deal with or dispose of any real or personal property vested in the said body corporate, in such manner as they think fit, but subject, in the case of a sale of real property, to the following conditions, namely:\n> \n> > (a) Any proposed sale of such real property shall be submitted in the first instance to an ordinary meeting of the board of directors.\n> \n> > (b) At the next ordinary meeting of the board of directors, of which not less than seven days notice shall have been given, such proposed sale of such real property shall be submitted to the meeting, and if approved of by not less than two-thirds of those present when the motion is put, may be carried into effect by the board of directors.\n> \n> > (c) (Repealed)\n> \n> > (d) A copy of the resolution of the board of directors, directing such sale of such real property if sealed with the seal of the said body corporate, shall be conclusive evidence in favour of any person claiming by, through, or under such sale that such resolution has been duly passed in compliance with the provisions of this Act, and of the articles of the constitution.\n> \n> > (e) No purchaser, or any person claiming such real property, or any portion thereof, or any interest therein, in pursuance of such resolution shall be bound to see to the application of any moneys paid by him in respect of such sale of such real property.\n> \n> **s 8:** Am 1976 No 60, Sch 1 (7).","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Power to invest funds","content":"#### 9 Power to invest funds\n\n9 Power to invest funds\n\n> It shall be lawful for the board of directors, from time to time, to invest any funds of the said body corporate which are not in the opinion of the said board required to defray the current expenses of the body corporate, and any moneys given or bequeathed to or arising from any donation of real or personal property to the body corporate, at the discretion of such board, in any Government funds or debentures of the Commonwealth of Australia, or of any state of the Commonwealth, or in any debentures or debenture stock of any municipal corporation in the said states, or by way of purchase of, or mortgage upon any freehold estate there, as well as in bank deposits for fixed periods or otherwise.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Certified copy of articles of the constitution to be evidence","content":"#### 10 Certified copy of articles of the constitution to be evidence\n\n10 Certified copy of articles of the constitution to be evidence\n\n> A printed copy of the articles of the constitution, sealed with the seal of the said body corporate, and purporting to be certified by the president or one of the vice-presidents for the time being of the said body corporate as being correct, shall be received in all courts as conclusive evidence that the said articles are the articles of the constitution of the said association on the date on which such certificate purports to be made, and that such articles have been duly made under the provisions of this Act.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Common seal","content":"#### 11 Common seal\n\n11 Common seal\n\n> It shall be lawful for the board of directors to design at any time and to change or alter the common seal of the said body corporate; such seal shall be in the custody of the executive director. The fixing of the said common seal to any document shall not be complete without the signature of three members of the board of directors: Provided that it shall not be necessary to require such seal to be affixed as evidence of the appointment by the said body corporate of an attorney, solicitor, or proctor in or for the prosecution or defence of any action, suit, or other proceeding.\n> \n> **s 11:** Am 1976 No 60, Sch 1 (8).","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Service upon the body corporate","content":"#### 12 Service upon the body corporate\n\n12 Service upon the body corporate\n\n> Notice to or service upon the executive director or acting executive director of the said body corporate in his official capacity shall be deemed to be a notice to or service upon the said body corporate.\n> \n> **s 12:** Am 1976 No 60, Sch 1 (9).","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Repeal of Act does not affect operation of savings and transitional provisions","content":"#### 13 Repeal of Act does not affect operation of savings and transitional provisions\n\n13 Repeal of Act does not affect operation of savings and transitional provisions\n\n> > (1) Despite the repeal of the [Young Men’s Christian Association of Sydney Incorporation (Amendment) Act 1976](/view/pdf/asmade/act-1976-60), sections 3 and 4 of that Act continue to have effect and are taken to have been transferred to this Act.\n> \n> > (2) Sections 3 and 4 of the [Young Men’s Christian Association of Sydney Incorporation (Amendment) Act 1976](/view/pdf/asmade/act-1976-60) are transferred provisions to which section 30A of the [Interpretation Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1987-015) applies.\n> \n> **s 13:** Ins 2007 No 82, Sch 4.30.","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 1","sectionType":"schedule","heading":null,"content":"# Schedule 1\n\nFirst Schedule\n\nALL that piece or parcel of land situated at Sydney, parish of Alexandria, county of Cumberland, and State of New South Wales, and being the balance of lot number one, section eighteen, since the alignment of Pitt and Bathurst streets: Commencing at the junction of western side of Pitt-street with northern side of Bathurst-street; thence bounded on the north-east by Pitt-street, bearing north six degrees thirteen minutes west distance sixty feet and half an inch; thence on the north by number two allotment, bearing south eighty-one degrees fifty minutes west distance seventy-six feet four and a half inches, and south eighty-three degrees west distance sixty-one feet five and a half inches; thence on south-west by a line bearing south two degrees forty-nine minutes east distance forty-eight feet nine and a half inches to Bathurst-street; thence on the south-east by that street, bearing north eighty-seven degrees east distance one hundred and forty feet eleven and a half inches, to point of commencement,—be the said several dimensions a little more or less.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 2","sectionType":"schedule","heading":null,"content":"# Schedule 2\n\nSecond Schedule (Repealed)\n\n**Second Sch:** Rep 1976 No 60, Sch 1 (10).","sortOrder":16}],"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"},"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act appears to have remained focused on its original and sole purpose: incorporating the YMCA of Sydney. The limited amendments over 120 years (1976 and 2007 updates) suggest only minor administrative or consequential changes were made, with no evidence of scope expansion beyond the original intent of granting legal entity status to a single organisation."},"complexity_factors":["Very narrow and specific in purpose — applies to a single named organisation only","A Private Act, meaning it operates outside the normal framework of general legislation","Historical nature means it pre-dates modern incorporation regimes, which can create some interpretive questions about how it interacts with current law","Minimal substantive content is visible in the provided text — the actual operative provisions are not displayed, limiting full analysis","Three version points over 120 years suggest very few amendments, indicating minimal complexity added over time"],"plain_english_summary":"The Act is a private law that formally incorporated the Young Men's Christian Association of Sydney, giving the YMCA its own legal identity so it can hold property, enter contracts and sue or be sued independently of its members.  \n\nIt mainly affects the YMCA, its members and those who deal with it; historically significant as a 1906 special incorporation (with minor updates), now largely superseded by general incorporation laws."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 1906 Act was a simple incorporation statute. The 1976 amendments significantly expanded the scope by: (1) adding a detailed objects clause (section 3A) with 14 specific purposes including advocacy, research, and national affiliation; (2) creating formal membership categories (voting and associate members); (3) substantially expanding the powers clause (section 7) from basic property holding to include borrowing, fundraising, employment, and commercial activities; and (4) modernising governance structures. The legislation evolved from a basic 'legal personality' statute to a comprehensive governance framework for a major community organisation."},"complexity_factors":["Short statute (13 sections plus 2 schedules)","Only 4 defined terms in section 1A","Straightforward structure: incorporation, objects, governance, property, powers","Some procedural requirements for constitutional amendments and property sales (two-thirds majority votes), but these are clearly set out without nested conditions","Minimal cross-referencing — primarily to the 1976 Amendment Act and standard interpretation legislation","One repealed schedule and one transferred provision (section 13) creating minor savings clause complexity","Victorian-era land description in Schedule 1 uses historical surveying language (degrees, minutes, chains) but this is standard for the period"],"plain_english_summary":"This legislation creates a legal entity called the Young Men's Christian Association of Sydney (the YMCA). It turns what was previously an unincorporated association into a body corporate — essentially giving it legal personhood so it can own property, enter contracts, sue and be sued, and manage its affairs.\n\n**Key things this Act does:**\n\n- **Incorporates the YMCA**: Transforms the existing New South Wales YMCA into a legal entity that continues indefinitely (perpetual succession) and can act in its own name.\n\n- **Defines membership**: Creates two classes of members — **voting members** (who pay subscriptions and can vote on constitutional changes) and **associate members** (who belong to branches but cannot vote).\n\n- **Sets out the YMCA's purpose**: Lists 14 objects including promoting Christian beliefs, supporting young people's wellbeing (spiritual, mental, social, physical), providing recreational and educational facilities, training youth leaders, and advocating for young people in the community.\n\n- **Transfers property**: All land and assets previously held by or for the YMCA are transferred to the newly incorporated body. The Schedule describes specific land in Sydney (Pitt and Bathurst streets area).\n\n- **Establishes governance**: A board of directors manages the association and its property according to a constitution. The constitution can be amended, but only if two-thirds of the board and two-thirds of voting members approve.\n\n- **Grants powers**: The YMCA can buy and sell property, borrow money, employ staff, affiliate with other organisations, invest funds, and generally do what is necessary to achieve its objects. Special rules apply to selling real estate — requiring board approval by two-thirds majority.\n\n- **Protects purchasers**: People buying property from the YMCA are protected if the sale was properly approved — they don't need to check that the money was used correctly.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Members of the Sydney YMCA\n- The board of directors and staff\n- People dealing with the YMCA (tenants, contractors, donors)\n- Anyone with legal claims against the YMCA\n\n**Why it matters:**\nWithout this Act, the YMCA couldn't own property or enter contracts in its own name — individual members or trustees would have to hold assets personally. Incorporation provides legal protection and continuity, ensuring the organisation can operate professionally and permanently."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act’s scope has been altered by later amendments. The 1976 amendments inserted defined membership and new objects (s 1A; s 3A), substituted and expanded the corporate powers (s 7), and amended governance provisions including articles and seal rules (ss 4, 11). A 2007 insertion preserved and treated certain 1976 provisions as transferred (s 13). These changes broadened and clarified the Association’s powers, governance processes and transitional treatment of earlier amendments."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple membership categories and formal definitions (voting member, associate member) that affect rights and obligations (s 1A).","Detailed incorporation and property-vesting clause transferring real and personal property to the corporate body and discharging trustees (s 2; s 6).","Broad corporate powers with an explicit non-exhaustive list (purchase, borrow, contract, employ, raise funds) that centralise authority in the board (s 7).","Prescribed process for sale of real property requiring notice, board meetings and a two-thirds approval threshold; board resolution sealed is conclusive for third parties (s 8).","Constitutional amendment procedure requiring board consideration and two‑thirds confirmation by voting members (s 4).","Prescribed investment options and trustee-style discretions for surplus funds (s 9).","Formalities for corporate seal and signatures (three directors) with a specified custodian and limited exception for legal appointments (s 11).","Service deemed valid on the executive director, concentrating legal-service risk on one office (s 12).","Transitional and savings provisions preserving and transferring prior amendments and linking to the Interpretation Act (s 13).","A specific land parcel described in Schedule 1 which is vested in the body corporate (Schedule 1)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Act creates the Young Men’s Christian Association of Sydney as a corporate body, vests its present and future property in that body and sets its objects (including promoting Christian belief and the welfare of young people). It authorises the board to manage and dispose of property, invest and borrow, enter contracts, employ staff and run branches. The board makes most operational decisions; constitutional changes require board and voting-member two‑thirds approval. Voting members pay subscriptions and land sales by resolution bind purchasers without enquiry into the application of sale proceeds (s8)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/young-men-s-christian-association-of-sydney-incorporation-act-1906","history":"/api/acts/young-men-s-christian-association-of-sydney-incorporation-act-1906/history","analysis":"/api/acts/young-men-s-christian-association-of-sydney-incorporation-act-1906/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/young-men-s-christian-association-of-sydney-incorporation-act-1906/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/young-men-s-christian-association-of-sydney-incorporation-act-1906/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/young-men-s-christian-association-of-sydney-incorporation-act-1906/documents"}}