Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide Charitable Trust Act 1981 (South Australia)

This Act creates a corporate charitable trust that takes legal ownership of specified Roman Catholic Church property in the Adelaide Archdiocese and sets out how that property and income must be managed, invested and applied to charitable objects (ss 6, 13, 5). Trustees are led by the Archbishop and include nominees of designated ministries; the Archbishop can declare or replace those ministries (ss 7, 4A). The Trust may alter trusts, blend funds, make its own regulations (exempt from usual subordinate‑legislation rules) and indemnify those who act for it (ss 31, 33, 28(3), 32).

Mechanically, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide Charitable Trust Act 1981 (the Act) creates a corporate trust, “The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide Charitable Trust” (the Trust), vests specified property in that Trust without the need for conveyance (s 6(1)-(3); s 13(1)), and sets out the constitution, membership and internal decision rules for the trustees (Pt 2; ss 7-9). The Act specifies the Trust’s objects as the taking over, promotion, administration and support of a listed set of charitable undertakings of the Roman Catholic Church in the Archdiocese, in particular certain orphanages and homes (s 5(1)). It gives the Trust wide property powers to acquire, hold, deal with, encumber and borrow against property (s 6(3); s 13), and sets out procedural and evidentiary mechanics for executing instruments (ss 10-12), for registering land title interests without fee (s 21), and for exoneration of third parties who deal in good faith with the Trust (ss 23-24).

The Act also provides governance and discretion mechanisms: it defines membership to include the Archbishop (or his nominee), nominees of designated ministries (as declared under s 4A) and co-opted members with the Archbishop’s prior written approval (s 7(1)); it prescribes quorum and voting rules (s 8(1)); it permits the Trust to make regulations for its management and to make resolutions that alter existing trusts if carrying them out is, in the Trust’s opinion, impossible or inexpedient (ss 28; 31). The Archbishop is given an express administrative role, including power to declare and vary “designated ministries” (s 4A) and to approve certain Trust directions under s 16.

The Act’s stated purpose is to consolidate and continue various Catholic charitable trusts and undertakings under a single corporate Trust for the Archdiocese, and to facilitate their administration and support (s 5(1)). That purpose is expressed in the objects clause; certificates signed by the Trust’s Chairman or Secretary are declared to be conclusive evidence that the Trust has taken over specified charitable undertakings (s 5(3)), and a certificate under the common seal is prima facie evidence of property held on trust (s 19).

Taken together, the Act mechanises centralisation of assets and governance: it vests property in a statutory corporate trustee, supplies streamlined title registration and stamp duty exemption for that vesting (s 21), prescribes execution and delegation formalities (ss 10-12), and confers broad powers to manage, invest, blend and reallocate funds (ss 33-34; s 31). The Act therefore replaces documentary conveyancing steps for the listed property with statutory vesting, establishes internal mechanisms to re-purpose or blend funds where the Trust considers original purposes impracticable (s 31; s 33), and limits the extent to which third parties must investigate the propriety of the Trust’s actions (s 24).

The official rationale for the legislation is contained in the objects clause and in the legislative history: to take over, continue and provide organisational and funding assistance for specified Catholic charitable undertakings and related purposes within the Archdiocese (s 5(1)). That rationale implies central administrative efficiency and continuity of charitable functions by placing them under one corporate trustee. The Act operationalises that aim by providing evidentiary certainty (s 5(3); s 19), streamlining title registration (s 21), and vesting powers to invest, borrow and manage property (ss 6(3); 34), while giving the Archbishop continuing oversight through roles and approvals (s 4A; s 16).

Costs, incentives and trade-offs follow directly from the mechanics: centralisation reduces transaction costs for internal transfers and title formalities (s 13; s 21), but it concentrates decision-making authority in a small trustee body where the Archbishop and his nominees play pivotal roles (ss 6-8; s 4A). The Act creates incentives to pool and blend funds (s 33) and to repurpose property where original trusts are deemed impracticable (s 31), which may improve flexibility but also alters the allocation of donor-directed benefits unless those special trusts are preserved (s 13(3)). The Act also reduces third-party due diligence, by exempting purchasers and registrars from inquiry into the propriety of the Trust’s exercises of power (s 24), and by obliging the Registrar‑General to register title on production of a Trust certificate without fee or further enquiry (s 21). Administrative discretion is high (regulations under s 28 are not subject to the Subordinate Legislation Act 1978, s 28(3)), while legal checks are located mainly in internal procedures, evidentiary certificates, and general court jurisdiction over trust matters.

Those are the statutory mechanics and the stated objective. The following sections unpack the Act’s principal concepts, the parties affected, specific duties and rights, enforcement mechanisms, interactions with other laws, amendment history, any litigation material present in the source, practical points to watch for, and compliance steps trustees and advisers should adopt.

The Act centralises property and governance of specified Catholic charitable undertakings in one statutory corporate trustee, and defines a number of recurring legal concepts and mechanisms to make that centralisation operational.

Vesting without conveyance (s 13). The Act vests listed property in the Trust “without conveyance” (s 13(1)). That means the statutory operation substitutes for transfer instruments. The vesting list includes property vested immediately prior to commencement in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide Charitable Trust Incorporated, plus specified orphanages and homes and property held in trust for those bodies (s 13(1)(a)-(e)). Subsection 13(2) also provides that property used for places of worship or residences for clergy and similar uses shall be freed from prior trusts for such specific uses, subject to subsection 13(3) exceptions.
Objects and application of funds (s 5). The Trust’s statutory objects are narrowly framed to take over and manage the charitable undertakings named and those related to families, children, aged, infirm or indigent persons in the Archdiocese (s 5(1)(a)-(b)). The Act mandates that the property and income be applicable only towards the Trust’s objects (s 5(2)). The Trust’s certificate is conclusive evidence of takeover (s 5(3)).
Designated ministries and Archbishop’s role (s 4A; s 7). Section 4A declares specific ministries (Salesians of St John Bosco; Sisters of Mercy; Sisters of St Joseph) to be “designated ministries” for the purpose of constituting the Trust’s membership (s 7(1)(c)). The Archbishop has power to determine, vary, revoke or substitute designated ministries and must have regard to canon law principles when making determinations (s 4A(2), (4)-(5)). Declarations must be published in a newspaper, on the Archdiocese’s website and as otherwise appropriate (s 4A(6)).
Trust constitution and governance (ss 6-12; ss 28-29). The Trust is a perpetual corporation with a common seal, able to sue and be sued (s 6(1)-(2)). Trustees are the Archbishop, an Archbishop nominee, provincial/leader or nominee of each designated ministry, and co-opted members with the Archbishop’s prior written approval (s 7(1)(a)-(f)). Quorum requires three members including the Archbishop or his nominee (s 8(1)). Execution formalities are prescribed: common seal custody, sealing clause, and signatures by the Archbishop and one other trustee for instruments under seal (s 10); delegation by sealed instrument of execution powers to agents (s 12); and rules on forms of contracts and their authority under a Trust resolution (s 11).

The Act creates obligations and rights that directly and indirectly affect multiple categories of actors. Identify who has standing under the statute, who faces altered legal obligations, who benefits, and who bears compliance costs.

The Archbishop and Archdiocesan office. The Archbishop is a central actor: by definition the Archbishop (or his nominee or person administering the Archdiocese) is the principal trustee (s 4; s 7(1)(a)). The Archbishop chairs the Trust or may appoint a trustee to be Chairman (s 7(4)). He exercises key appointment powers under s 4A (designation of ministries), approves directions under s 16, and receives resignations and notices (s 8(2)(b)). The administrative workload and decision-making responsibilities fall significantly on the Archbishop’s office.
Designated ministries and their leaders. The Salesians of St John Bosco, the Sisters of Mercy and the Sisters of St Joseph are statutorily declared “designated ministries” (s 4A(1)); their provincials, leaders, or nominees form part of Trust membership (s 7(1)(c)). If a designated ministry ceases to exist, the Archbishop may determine and declare a successor ministry (s 4A(2)-(3)). These organisations therefore retain a formal governance role in the Trust.
Co-opted trustees and potential appointees. The Trust may co-opt additional members, but only with the Archbishop’s prior written approval (s 7(1)(f)). Co-opted trustees hold office in three-year terms expiring on 30 June in the third year, subject to the age limit (s 7(3); s 7(2)).
Donors, beneficiaries and charitable undertakings. The named charitable undertakings (Goodwood Orphanage, Largs Bay Orphanage, St John’s Boys Home) and, more broadly, persons and families in need of Christian charity within the Archdiocese are direct objects of the Trust (s 5(1)(a)-(b)). Donors to those undertakings are affected because the Act provides mechanisms to construe gifts to former bodies as gifts to the Trust (s 15), but special trusts, resulting trusts and trusts in favour of donors are preserved (s 13(3)).
Incorporated associations and corporate predecessors. Property that was vested immediately before commencement in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide Charitable Trust Incorporated (and any successor in title) is automatically vested in the new statutory Trust (s 13(1)(a)). Incorporated associations may transfer their undertakings or property to the Trust with consent (s 17) and their rules may be altered to replace references to prior bodies with references to the Trust (s 18).

The Act sets out the Trust’s objects and grants wide powers; it does not contain an express catalogue of equitable fiduciary duties but creates statutory rights, obligations and procedural duties which trustees and third parties must observe. Below are the principal duties and rights the Act imposes or confers, with section references.

Trustee rights and powers

Corporate existence and property powers: The Trust is a corporate body with perpetual succession, common seal, power to sue and be sued, and the statutory power to acquire, hold, deal with and dispose of property; to mortgage, charge or otherwise encumber property; and to borrow moneys for Trust purposes (s 6(1)-(3)).
Management and investment: The Trust may manage, administer, support and fund charitable undertakings, invest funds in statutory trustee-authorised investments or otherwise as the Trust thinks fit (s 5(1)(b); s 34).
Registration and title: The Trust may be registered as proprietor of land without fee (s 21(1)) and stamp duty is not payable on the relevant application or certificate (s 21(2)).
Execution and delegation: The Trust may execute deeds and contracts under the common seal and may empower an agent or attorney by writing under seal to execute deeds in specific matters (ss 10-12).
Blending funds and inter-fund advances: The Trust may pool funds for investment and distribute income ratably among purposes and make advances between funds treated as investments and charges on assets (s 33).
Alteration of trusts: The Trust may by resolution alter or declare substitute trusts where trusts are, in its opinion, impossible or inexpedient to carry out, subject to subsectional constraints on purpose similarity (s 31).
Co-operative schemes: The Trust may permit property to be used in schemes of co-operation with other denominations on such conditions as it prescribes, including security arrangements that may charge Trust property (s 29).

Trustee duties and procedural obligations

Application of trust property to objects: The Trust must apply property and income only towards promotion of Trust objects (s 5(2)). That is a statutory obligation on application of Trust assets.
Execution formalities and records: Instruments under seal must be signed by the Archbishop and one other trustee; delegated agents must be empowered by writing under the common seal (s 10(3); s 12). The Trust must make and keep certificates required for registration and for evidentiary purposes (s 5(3); s 19; s 21(1)).

The Act’s text does not create a bespoke penal regime or statutory penalties for trustee misconduct. Enforcement mechanisms are primarily civil and evidentiary, anchored in trust law principles and statutory presumptions. The statutory enforcement and protection architecture operates along several axes.

No express criminal sanctions in the Act. The Act contains no provision imposing fines or criminal penalties for failure to observe the Act’s procedural requirements or for misbehaviour by trustees. Enforcement of trustees’ conduct therefore falls to equitable and common-law remedies available in the courts (injunctions, account of profits, equitable compensation, removal as trustee), rather than to a statutory penalty schedule.
Indemnity and exceptions limit direct trustee liability (s 32). Section 32 entitles members of the Trust and persons exercising powers or performing duties under the Act to be indemnified out of Trust property against expenses or liabilities incurred in connection with their functions, unless incurred in the course of fraudulent or negligent breach of trust. This has two effects: it protects trustees from personal financial exposure where acting in good faith under the Act, and it shifts recourse for many liabilities to Trust assets instead of to individual trustees. The statutory exception preserves trustee accountability where there is fraud or negligent breach of trust.
Evidentiary presumptions (ss 5(3), 19). Certificates by the Chairman or Secretary that the Trust has taken over specified charitable undertakings are conclusive evidence of the facts certified (s 5(3)). Certificates under the common seal are prima facie evidence in proceedings that specified property is held by the Trust on trust (s 19). These provisions make initial court challenges procedurally more demanding for challengers: a conclusive certificate is conclusive; a prima facie certificate creates presumptive proof which an opposing party must rebut with evidence to the contrary.
Third-party protection and limitation of inquiry (ss 23-24). The Act specifies that receipts executed under the common seal, or signed by two trustees (or by persons authorised by two trustees), exonerate mortgagees, purchasers or other payors from liability for loss or misapplication of moneys (s 23). Section 24 removes the duty of purchasers, mortgagees, lessees, registrars and certifying persons to enquire into the necessity or propriety of the Trust’s exercise of powers and states they shall not be affected by notice of unauthorised or irregular exercises of power. These provisions limit third-party remedies against persons dealing with the Trust, effectively prioritising transactional certainty and market stability over third-party inquiry rights.

The Act interacts with a number of statutory regimes and legal domains. The text explicitly cross-references some laws and implicitly invokes others. The interaction points and potential consequences for advisers are set out below with section citations.

Trustee investment statutes (s 34). Section 34 authorises the Trust to invest funds “in any form of investment in which trustees are by statute authorised to invest trust funds” (s 34(a)) or otherwise “in any other manner that the Trust thinks fit” (s 34(b)). This expressly ties the Trust’s permissible investments to the statutory scheme that governs trustee investments in South Australia (and potentially Commonwealth provisions where applicable). Advisers must therefore consider the statutory duty-of-care and investment standards imposed by trustee investment legislation when advising the Trust on portfolios.
Land registration and stamp duty processes (s 21). The Trust’s registration as proprietor is governed by the Registrar-General’s processes but s 21(1) requires registration “without further enquiry” and “without fee” where the Trust produces a certificate under its common seal and the duplicate certificates of title or other instruments. Subsection 21(2) exempts the application and certificate from stamp duty. Those statutory directives alter the usual administrative steps under the Real Property Act and stamp duties. Practitioners should liaise with land registry practice notes, but must heed that the statutory direction overrules normal fee and enquiry positions for vested property.
Subordinate legislation and administrative law (s 28(3)). Regulations made under s 28 are excluded from the Subordinate Legislation Act 1978 (s 28(3)). That is a clear statutory carve-out that reduces the formal oversight and tabling/consultation requirements that apply to subordinate instruments under the Subordinate Legislation Act. Nevertheless, regulations remain amenable to judicial review on conventional public law grounds where applicable, although the Act’s conferral of regulatory competence suggests a predominantly internal regulatory regime.
Probate and court process rules (s 26). The Trust may apply for probate and letters of administration and act as executor, and members or employees may perform acts that statutory or court rules require of individuals applying for probate (s 26(1)-(2)). This engages the courts’ probate jurisdiction and applicable court rules, and indicates that the Trust must comply with general probate standards when acting in estate administration roles.

The legislative history provided in the Act indicates the original statute and a key later amendment. The following summarises the material entries the source lists, with direct references.

Principal Act. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide Charitable Trust Act 1981 received assent on 26 February 1981 and commenced on 19 March 1981 (Gazette 19.3.1981 p740) (Legislative history table, 1981 entry).
2014 Amendment Act. A statutory amendment titled the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide Charitable Trust (Membership of Trust) Amendment Act 2014, No 24 of 2014, received assent on 11 December 2014 and commenced on 11 December 2014 (Legislative history table, 2014 entry). The 2014 amendment materially changed membership and inserted the “designated ministry” concept and section 4A. The legislative history lists provisions amended or inserted; the table indicates the following notable modifications effected by the 2014 Act:
- Section 4 was varied: “the Convent of Mercy and the Sisters of Mercy” was deleted by s 3(1) of the amending Act, and “designated ministry” was inserted (s 3(2)). “Sisters of Mercy” was inserted by s 3(3) (Legislative history notes).
- Section 4A was inserted by s 4 of the amending Act (11.12.2014).
- Section 5(1) was amended by s 5 of the amending Act (11.12.2014).
- Section 7(1) was amended by s 6 of the amending Act; subsections (d) and (e) were deleted by the same provision (11.12.2014). The legislative history table explicitly records that provisions (d) and (e) were deleted by the 2014 amendment.
- Sections 2 and 3 were omitted under the Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002 (noted in the history).
Effect of amendments. The effect of these amendments, as recorded in the legislative history, was to:
- Modernise and clarify membership provisions for the Trust (s 7).
- Introduce a mechanism for the Archbishop to declare and manage “designated ministries” (s 4A), providing a process for substitution and successor determination and requiring publication of declarations (s 4A(1)-(6)).
- Update references and delete obsolete references (for example deletion of specific convent naming in s 4 and insertion of the broader “designated ministry” concept).
Omitted or deleted provisions. The legislative history records that prior sections 2 and 3 were omitted under the Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002, and that some textual elements were deleted or replaced by the 2014 amendments. The history shows that the 2014 Act reshaped membership and the mechanisms for representing congregations or religious orders within the Trust structure.

The source material supplied contains no reported judicial decisions, references to litigation, or case citations arising under the Act. The Act’s legislative history and text do not enumerate any litigation outcomes or appellate exposition. Therefore, there is no litigation history recorded within the provided text to cite.

Absent statutory case law in the source, the Act nevertheless creates several provisions that are foreseeable loci for future judicial interpretation and potential litigation; these are matters practitioners should track. The likely litigation flashpoints, based on the Act’s text, include:

Challenges to the Trust’s exercise of the s 31 power to alter trusts. Section 31 permits the Trust by resolution to declare that an original trust is impossible or inexpedient to carry out and to redeploy the property to other trusts in the objects or for the Roman Catholic Church. Litigation could arise from beneficiaries or donors disputing the Trust’s factual or legal conclusions of impossibility or inexpediency, or challenging whether the substituted uses depart impermissibly from preserved special trusts (s 13(3)). Courts will likely be asked to interpret the scope of “impossible or inexpedient” and to assess reasonableness of the Trust’s resolution in the light of equitable trust principles.
Disputes over evidentiary certificates and their conclusiveness. The Act grants conclusive effect to certificates under the hand of the Chairman or Secretary that the Trust has taken over specified charitable undertakings (s 5(3)) and prima facie evidentiary weight to certificates under the common seal that property is held on trust (s 19). Litigation could occur where adverse parties seek to rebut or pierce those certificates, calling into question the statutory interplay between conclusive statutory certificates and equitable inquiry.
Challenges to the Archbishop’s exercise of s 4A powers. The Archbishop may identify, vary or substitute designated ministries, with the duty to regard the principles of canon law (s 4A(5)). Disputes could arise from a ministry claiming improper substitution or inadequate canonical process, or from disagreements over successor ministry determinations, though such matters would likely raise both civil and ecclesiastical law elements.
Disagreements about the Trust’s exercise of regulatory autonomy and the exclusion of s 28 regulations from the Subordinate Legislation Act. Parties affected by Trust regulations might challenge their lawfulness, form or the process used in their making, particularly given the statutory carve-out (s 28(3)). Judicial review actions could test whether the Trust’s regulations comply with legal standards, for example, whether they exceed delegated power or are otherwise unlawful.

The Act contains a number of provisions that may produce unexpected legal or practical effects. Advisers should note these features and the specific statutory mechanisms that generate them.

Vesting without conveyance is automatic but not absolute (s 13). The Act vests specified property in the Trust “without conveyance” (s 13(1)), which streamlines title transfer. However, subsection 13(3) preserves any special trust, resulting trust, trust in favour of a donor, and existing reservations, mortgages, charges, loans or leases affecting the property. Practitioners must therefore check the instrument history of any asset to identify preserved encumbrances or trusts that remain binding despite statutory vesting.
Discharge of prior use trusts except where special trusts exist (s 13(2)-(3)). Property that was used as a place of worship or other enumerated uses is “freed and discharged” from those trusts (s 13(2)), subject to s 13(3) exceptions. That means a parcel formerly held for a specific ecclesiastical or institutional use could be liberated for other Trust purposes unless it is subject to a special or donor-trust. Donors and beneficiaries who assume perpetual use may be surprised by this statutory provision.
Strong evidentiary certificates reduce challenger prospects (ss 5(3); 19). A Chairman/Secretary certificate that the Trust has taken over specified undertakings is conclusive (s 5(3)). A sealed certificate of trust status is prima facie evidence (s 19). These presumptions raise the evidentiary bar for opponents. When preparing challenges, litigants must be ready to rebut statutory presumptions with cogent evidence demonstrating that the certificate is wrong or was procured by fraud.
Age cap for trustees (s 7(2); s 8(2)(f)). No person aged 75 or older may be appointed as a trustee (s 7(2)), and the attainment of 75 causes vacation of office (s 8(2)(f)). Long-serving trustees or those approaching that age must anticipate automatic retirement, and document succession planning. The statutory cutoff is strict and may create forced governance churn.
Quorum requirement includes Archbishop or nominee (s 8(1)). A meeting of the Trust requires three members, one of whom must be the Archbishop or his nominee (s 8(1)). The Archbishop’s availability or nomination becomes a bottleneck for decision-making; matters requiring urgent resolutions may be delayed unless a nominee is available. This concentrates procedural power.
Archbishop’s broad discretion over designated ministries (s 4A). The Archbishop may determine successor designated ministries if an original ministry ceases to exist, and may vary or revoke declarations (s 4A(2)-(4)). While the Archbishop must have regard to canon law (s 4A(5)), the decision-making discretion is wide and affects representation on the Trust via s 7(1)(c). Parties reliant on representation should plan for potential changes.

Compliance with the Act requires attention to governance, record-keeping, procedural formalities, and interaction with land and probate processes. The guidance below outlines practical steps trustees, the Archbishop’s office, incorporated associations and advisers should adopt to operate within the Act’s mechanics and to reduce legal and operational exposure.

Governance and membership compliance

Verify trustee eligibility and terms: ensure no trustee is over 75 (s 7(2); s 8(2)(f)). For co-opted trustees, record the appointment, Archbishop’s prior written approval and the term expiration date (s 7(1)(f); s 7(3)).
Maintain quorum readiness: plan for Archbishop or nominee attendance to meet the statutory quorum of three including the Archbishop or nominee (s 8(1)). Document delegated nominating authority and availability schedules for meetings.
Document resignations and incapacity: obtain written resignations submitted to the Archbishop to effect vacation of office (s 8(2)(b)) and maintain medical certificates for incapacity cases (s 8(2)(c)).

Execution, sealing and delegation formalities

Common seal operation: keep custody and control of the Trust’s common seal with clear internal controls. For instruments requiring the seal, ensure they are executed under a resolution of the Trust and signed by the Archbishop and one other trustee (s 10(3); s 11(1)).
Agent appointment: where the Trust empowers an agent or attorney to execute deeds, ensure empowerment is by writing under the common seal and is specific in scope (s 12).
Contract authority: ensure contracts entered pursuant to s 11 are authorised by written Trust resolution to create the statutory presumption the contract was entered into with express authority of the Trust (s 11(4)).

Vesting and title registration

Prepare Trust certificates for vesting: when dealing with vested property, produce a certificate under the common seal certifying the estate or interest has vested in the Trust (s 21(1)(b)(i)). Keep duplicate certificates of title or other instruments ready for the Registrar-General (s 21(1)(b)(ii)).
Use stamp duty exemption: rely on s 21(2) to avoid stamp duty on registration caused by the Trust’s application; maintain records to support the exemption if queried.
Record pre-existing encumbrances: identify any preserved special trusts, resulting trusts, donor-favouring trusts or encumbrances that survive vesting (s 13(3)) and keep a register showing their existence.

South Australia Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide Charitable Trust Act 1981 An Act to constitute a Trust to be known as the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide Charitable Trust; to bring certain existing trusts and charitable undertakings under the administration of the Trust; to define the powers, authorities, functions and duties of the Trust; and for other purposes.

Contents Part 1—Preliminary 1 Short title 4 Interpretation 4A Designated ministries 5 Objects of Trust Part 2—Constitution of the Trust 6 Constitution of the Trust 7 Membership of Trust 8 Quorum and vacation of office 9 Casual vacancies 10 Common seal 11 Form and execution of certain contracts etc 12 Execution under seal by agent etc Part 3—Property 13 Vesting of certain property in the Trust 14 No attornment necessary 15 Construction of certain instruments 16 Resolution of ambiguities etc 17 Handing over of property by incorporated association 18 Power to alter rules of incorporated association 19 Evidence 20 Certain rights enforceable by the Trust 21 Registration of interests of Trust in land Part 4—General 22 Claims for compensation upon compulsory acquisition etc 23 Receipt for certain moneys 24 Exoneration from enquiry 25 Service of documents 26 Trust may act as executor etc 27 Trust may hold property jointly 28 Regulations 29 Co-operative use of property 30 Saving provision 31 Power to alter trusts 32 Indemnification of certain persons 33 Blending of Trust funds 34 Powers of investment Legislative history

The Parliament of South Australia enacts as follows: Part 1—Preliminary 1—Short title This Act may be cited as the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide Charitable Trust Act 1981. 4—Interpretation In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears— appointed day means the day on which this Act comes into operation; the Archbishop means the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide for the time being or his nominee or if he is unable to act in his capacity as Archbishop of Adelaide or if there be no Archbishop of Adelaide means the person for the time being administering the Archdiocese or his deputy; the Archdiocese means the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide; the bodies whose property is vested in the Trust means those bodies named in section 5(1)(a) together with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide Charitable Trust Incorporated or any successor in title; conveyance includes transfer; designated ministry means a ministry declared under section 4A to be a designated ministry; disposition includes surrender or release; Goodwood Orphanage means— (a) St. Vincent de Paul's Home Goodwood or any home or homes substituted for that Home; and (b) property held by the Sisters of Mercy in connection with work for children or others who are being or have been cared for in the home or homes referred to in paragraph (a); Largs Bay Orphanage means— (a) St. Joseph's Home Largs Bay or any other home or homes substituted for that Home; and (b) property held by the Sisters of St. Joseph in connection with work for children or others who are being or have been cared for in the home or homes referred to in paragraph (a); property means real or personal property and includes any estate or interest in real or personal property; St. John's Boys Home means— (a) St. John's Boys Home at Brooklyn Park or any other home or homes substituted for that Home; and (b) property held by the Salesians of St. John Bosco in connection with work for children or others who are being or have been cared for in the home or homes referred to in paragraph (a); the Salesians of St. John Bosco means The Salesian Society Incorporated; Sisters of Mercy means the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia & Papua New Guinea; the Sisters of St. Joseph means The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart South Australia Incorporated; the Trust means the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide Charitable Trust constituted by this Act. 4A—Designated ministries (1) For the purposes of section 7(1), each of the following ministries is declared to be a designated ministry: (a) the Salesians of St John Bosco; (b) the Sisters of Mercy; (c) the Sisters of St Joseph. (2) If a ministry referred to in subsection (1) ceases to exist, the Archbishop may determine the successor to the former ministry and declare the successor ministry to be a designated ministry. (3) If a ministry declared to be a designated ministry in substitution ceases to exist, the Archbishop may determine the successor to the substituted ministry and declare that ministry to be a designated ministry. (4) A declaration under this section may be varied, revoked or substituted by the Archbishop by further declaration. (5) The Archbishop must when making a determination under this section (including a determination as to whether or not to vary, revoke or substitute a declaration) have regard to the principles of canon law. (6) The Archbishop must, as soon as practicable after making a declaration under this section, cause a copy of the declaration to be published— (a) in a newspaper circulating generally throughout the State; and (b) on the Archdiocese's website; and (c) in any other way that is, in the opinion of the Archbishop, appropriate. 5—Objects of Trust (1) The objects of the Trust are— (a) to take over, promote, maintain and continue the charitable undertakings, purposes or trusts vested in the Catholic Church Indowment Society Incorporated together with— (i) the Sisters of St. Joseph with respect to Largs Bay Orphanage; (ii) the Sisters of Mercy with respect to Goodwood Orphanage; (iii) the Salesians of St. John Bosco with respect to St. John's Boys Home, and such other charitable undertakings, purposes or trusts of the Orders, Congregations, Communities and Associations of the Roman Catholic Church in the Archdiocese and whether relating to families, children, aged, infirm or indigent persons as it may be from time to time expedient or beneficial to vest in the Trust; (b) to promote, develop, administer, manage and support with organisational and funding assistance from investments, capital, income, donations, bequests, or such other source of funds as may from time to time be available, such charitable undertakings within the Archdiocese and in particular for the benefit of children who are deprived of a parent or parents and those in need of counselling, accommodation, sustenance, care and control and assistance to those having the legal or moral duty of care of children and such other persons or families as are in need of Christian charity within the Archdiocese; (c) to purchase, sell, have assigned or transferred to it, take on lease, let, lease or exchange or otherwise deal with such real or personal property as may be considered advisable for the purposes of the Trust and to borrow and raise money and to secure repayment thereof upon such assets of the Trust and in such manner as may be determined by the Trustees and for those purposes or any of them to charge or mortgage all or any of the property of the Trust; (d) to co-operate with any department of the Government of the Commonwealth or of any State or any research, institutional or other body for such purpose and in such manner as the Trustees consider conducive to the promotion, attainment or fulfilment of any of the objects of the Trust and further to co‑operate with persons and bodies for any of the foregoing objects; (e) to do all things that are incidental or conducive to the attainment of all or any of the above objects. (2) The property and income of the Trust shall be applicable only towards the promotion of the objects of the Trust. (3) A certificate under the hand of the Chairman or Secretary of the Trust certifying that the Trust has taken over specified charitable undertakings, purposes or trusts shall be conclusive evidence of the facts so certified. Part 2—Constitution of the Trust 6—Constitution of the Trust (1) There shall be a corporation entitled The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide Charitable Trust. (2) The Trust shall have perpetual succession and a common seal, and may sue and be sued in its corporate name. (3) Notwithstanding the provisions of any instrument, the Trust may— (a) acquire, hold, deal with and dispose of property of any kind; or (b) mortgage, charge, or otherwise encumber its property; or (c) borrow moneys for the purposes of the Trust. 7—Membership of Trust (1) The Trust shall be administered by Trustees who shall be— (a) the Archbishop; (b) a nominee of the Archbishop; (c) the Provincial, Leader or nominee of each designated ministry; (f) such other member or members as are co-opted by the Trustees with the prior approval in writing of the Archbishop. (2) No person who has attained the age of seventy-five years shall be eligible for appointment as a trustee. (3) A trustee appointed under subsection (1)(f) shall hold office for a term expiring on the thirtieth day of June in each third year following appointment and shall, subject to subsection (2), be eligible for re-appointment. (4) The Archbishop, or a trustee appointed by him to be the Chairman, shall be Chairman of the Trust. (5) In the absence of the Chairman from a meeting of the Trust the trustees present at the meeting shall elect one of their number to act as Chairman at that meeting. 8—Quorum and vacation of office (1) Three members of the Trust one of whom shall be the Archbishop or his nominee shall be a quorum for the purpose of any meeting of the Trust and the decision of a majority of the members present and voting at any meeting of the Trust shall be the decision of the Trust. (2) A member of the Trust shall be deemed to have vacated office if he— (a) dies; (b) resigns from office by notice in writing to the Archbishop; (c) is physically or mentally incapable of properly carrying out the duties of a member of the Trust and a legally qualified medical practitioner so certifies; (d) ceases to hold the office or appointment by virtue of which he was entitled to become a member of the Trust; (e) is removed by the unanimous vote of all of the other members of the Trust; (f) attains the age of seventy-five years. 9—Casual vacancies Whenever a casual vacancy occurs in the membership of the Trust the Archbishop may appoint a person to fill the vacancy until the end of the next meeting of the Trust. 10—Common seal (1) The members for the time being of the Trust shall have the custody of its common seal. (2) The form of the common seal, the wording of the sealing clause and all other matters relating thereto shall be determined by the Trust. (3) The common seal of the Trust shall only be affixed to an instrument in pursuance of a resolution of the Trust and every instrument to which the common seal is so affixed shall be signed by the Archbishop and one other member of the Trust. (4) An instrument purporting to have been sealed with the common seal of the Trust and purporting to be signed by the Archbishop and another member of the Trust shall be deemed to have been executed in accordance with subsection (3). 11—Form and execution of certain contracts etc (1) Any deed, instrument, contract or agreement relating to any property or matter which if made or executed by an individual would be by law required to be in writing under seal may be made on behalf of the Trust in writing under the common seal of the Trust. (2) Any instrument, contract or agreement relating to any property or matter which if made by or between individuals would be required to be in writing signed by the parties to be charged may be made on behalf of the Trust in writing by any person acting under its authority. (3) Any contract relating to any property or matter which if made between individuals would by law be valid although made by parol only (and not reduced to writing) may be made on behalf of the Trust by any person acting under its authority. (4) Any contract which is entered into or any instrument, contract or agreement which is signed on behalf of the Trust shall be deemed to have been entered into or signed with the express authority of the Trust, if it is entered into or signed in accordance with the resolution of the Trust. 12—Execution under seal by agent etc The Trust may, by writing under its common seal, expressly empower any person, in respect of any specific matter, as its agent or attorney to execute any deed, instrument, contract or agreement on its behalf, and any deed signed by such agent or attorney on behalf of the Trust and under his seal shall bind the Trust and have the same effect as if it were under the common seal of the Trust. Part 3—Property 13—Vesting of certain property in the Trust (1) Subject to this Act, the following property is vested without conveyance in the Trust and shall be administered by the Trust under the provisions of this Act: (a) all property that was, immediately before the appointed day, vested in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide Charitable Trust Incorporated; and (b) the Goodwood Orphanage; and (c) the Largs Bay Orphanage; and (d) St. John's Boys Home; and (e) property held by any person or body in trust for the body or institutions referred to in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d). (2) Property vested in the Trust pursuant to this section that was held immediately before it was so vested in the Trust for use as a place of worship, a residence for the Clergy, a Church Hall, a Children's Home, or any other purpose shall, subject to subsection (3), be freed and discharged from any trusts for any such use to which the property was subject immediately before it was vested in the Trust. (3) Subject to subsection (1), the vesting effected by this section shall be without prejudice to— (a) any special trust; and (b) any resulting trust; and (c) any trust in favour of a donor; and (d) any reservation, mortgage, charge, encumbrance, loan or lease that immediately before the appointed day affected the property vested. 14—No attornment necessary No attornment to the Trust by any lessee of land vested in it by this Part shall be necessary. 15—Construction of certain instruments (1) To the extent to which, by a deed, will or other instrument that takes effect on or after the appointed day, any property— (a) is devised, bequeathed, given, granted, released, conveyed or appointed to any of the bodies in whom the charitable undertakings, purposes or trusts referred to in section 5(1)(a) are vested for, or for the benefit of, or in trust for those charitable undertakings, purposes or trusts or to a person (not being the Trust) for, or for the benefit of, or in trust for, the Archdiocese for those charitable undertakings, purposes or trusts or is declared or directed to be held by any person (not being the Trust) for, or for the benefit of, or in trust for, the Archdiocese for those charitable undertakings, purposes or trusts; or (b) is— (i) recoverable by any of the bodies in whom those charitable undertakings, purposes or trusts are vested or by any person (not being the Trust) on behalf of any of those bodies; or (ii) payable to, or receivable by any of those bodies or any person (not being the Trust) on behalf of any of those bodies, for those charitable undertakings, purposes or trusts, the deed, will or other instrument shall be construed and take effect as if the reference therein to the bodies in whom the said charitable undertakings, purposes or trusts are vested, or as the case may be, to that person, were a reference to the Trust. 16—Resolution of ambiguities etc Where by virtue of a provision of this Part a reference to any of the bodies in whom the said charitable undertakings, purposes or trusts are vested is to be read and construed as a reference to any of the charitable undertakings, purposes or trusts referred to in section 5(1)(a) and any ambiguity, obscurity or uncertainty results from construing the reference in accordance with that provision, the Trust (subject to the approval in writing of the Archbishop in that regard) may give such directions as it considers necessary or expedient to construe and resolve the ambiguity, obscurity or uncertainty and the reference shall thereafter be read and construed in accordance with that direction. 17—Handing over of property by incorporated association (1) An incorporated association with the consent of the Trust may transfer the whole or part of its undertaking or property to the Trust. (2) Where an incorporated association transfers the whole of its undertaking to the Trust— (a) all rights and liabilities of the association vest in the Trust; and (b) a trust or other disposition in favour of the association shall be construed as if it referred to the Trust instead of the association. 18—Power to alter rules of incorporated association (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the rules of an incorporated association the rules may be altered with the consent of the Trust so that any reference to any of the bodies whose property is vested in the Trust is altered to refer to the Trust. (2) The rules shall be altered in accordance with the procedure laid down therein as nearly as is practicable and where the rules do not provide for alteration they may with the consent of the Trust be altered for the purposes of this section by an instrument under the seal of the incorporated association. (3) Anything to be done by any of the bodies whose property is vested in the Trust for the purpose of altering the rules may be done by the Trust. 19—Evidence A certificate under the common seal of the Trust to the effect that specified property is held by it upon trust for the bodies whose property is vested in the Trust shall, in all proceedings whether civil or criminal, be prima facie evidence that the property so specified is so held. 20—Certain rights enforceable by the Trust Subject to this Act, where any property is vested in the Trust pursuant to this Act, the Trust shall, in relation to that property, have and be subject to all the rights, powers, remedies, liabilities and obligations and may exercise and discharge, in relation to that property, all or any of the rights, powers and remedies which the person in whom the property was formerly vested or by whom it was had or held would have had and been subject to and might have exercised and discharged in relation to that property had it not been divested from him and vested in the Trust. 21—Registration of interests of Trust in land (1) Where the Trust— (a) applies to the Registrar-General to be registered as the proprietor of an estate or interest in land; and (b) furnishes the Registrar-General with— (i) a certificate under the common seal of the Trust to the effect that the estate or interest has vested in the Trust in pursuance of this Act; and (ii) such duplicate certificates of title or other instrument as may be required by the Registrar-General, the Registrar-General shall, without further enquiry, and without fee, register the Trust as the proprietor of the relevant estate or interest. (2) No stamp duty shall be payable in respect of an application or certificate under subsection (1). Part 4—General 22—Claims for compensation upon compulsory acquisition etc The Trust may in relation to the exchange, dedication or compulsory acquisition of any property vested in it, make claims for compensation in respect of the property and may agree to and settle any such claims, for such considerations, and on and subject to any terms and conditions, as may appear advisable to it. 23—Receipt for certain moneys A receipt for moneys payable to the Trust shall exonerate the mortgagee, purchaser or other person by or on whose behalf the moneys are so payable from any liability for the loss, mis-application or non-application of the moneys, if the receipt— (a) is executed in accordance with this Act under the common seal of the Trust; or (b) is in writing signed by two members of the Trust; or (c) is in writing signed by a person or persons duly authorised for the purpose by two members of the Trust. 24—Exoneration from enquiry No purchaser, mortgagee, lessee or other person dealing with the Trust and neither the Registrar-General nor any other person registering or certifying titles shall, upon any sale, exchange, mortgage, lease or other dealing purporting to be entered into by the Trust, be concerned to see or enquire into the necessity for or the propriety of the exercise by the Trust of its powers or the mode of exercising them or be affected by notice that the exercise of any such power is unauthorised, irregular or improper. 25—Service of documents The service of any writ, statement of claim, summons or other legal process on the Trust may be effected by serving it upon the Chancellor of the Archdiocese or on any person appearing to be authorised by the Trust to accept service. 26—Trust may act as executor etc (1) The Trust may— (a) apply for and obtain, or join in applying for and obtaining probate of the will, or letters of administration of the estate, of a deceased person where the Trust has a beneficial interest, vested or contingent, in the estate of that person; or (b) accept appointment, and act, as trustee or co-trustee under and in pursuance of any trust where the trust property is not vested in the Trust by, or pursuant to, this Act and the trust is wholly or partly for the benefit of the Trust, and may do all things necessary for the exercise or performance of its powers, authorities, duties or functions as executor, administrator, or trustee as the case may be. (2) On behalf of the Trust, a member of the Trust or a person employed by the Trust may, if authorised by the Trust for the purpose, swear an affidavit, make a declaration or statement, give security and do any other act or thing that is, by any charter, Act or rule of court, required to be done by a person applying for or granted probate or letters of administration or administering a trust, as the case may be. (3) The Trust may— (a) renounce executorship; (b) decline to act as administrator of an estate; (c) retire, or decline to act as trustee of property (not being property vested in it by or pursuant to this Act). (4) Any commission or other remuneration earned by the Trust as an executor, administrator or trustee appointed under the authority of this section shall belong to the Trust and shall be used and applied by it for or towards any object or purpose specified or approved by the Trust. 27—Trust may hold property jointly The Trust may hold or acquire any real or personal property either alone or jointly with another or others as joint tenants or tenants-in-common. 28—Regulations (1) The Trust may make, alter and revoke regulations for the control, management and administration of, and dealings with, the property of the Trust. (2) A certificate signed by the Chairman or Secretary for the time being of the Trust that specifies in the certificate or an annexure thereto the form of a regulation under subsection (1) and in force on a day specified in the certificate shall be conclusive evidence that the regulation was in force in that form on that day. (3) The Subordinate Legislation Act 1978 does not apply to regulations made under this section. 29—Co-operative use of property (1) Where it has been decided in accordance with the regulations and rules of the Trust to enter into a scheme of co-operation with or involving a Church of another denomination or any congregation or activity of such a Church, being a scheme that involves the use of property vested in the Trust, the Trust may, while the scheme of co-operation continues in force, permit that property to be used, managed and administered in connection with that scheme in such manner and upon such conditions as the Trust or any committee appointed by it for the purpose, determines or prescribes, and the proceeds of sale or mortgage or any other dealing with such property and all moneys collected or held in respect of such scheme of co-operation may be paid and applied in such manner as may be determined or prescribed by the Trust or such committee. (2) The conditions that the Trust may determine or prescribe under subsection (1) may include conditions with respect to the making of contributions of money for the acquisition, construction, alteration, maintenance or repair of assets vested in or held on behalf of a co-operating denomination or congregation and the giving or taking of such security or charge as may be prescribed by any such scheme of co-operation over any property in respect of any contributions of money or in money's worth made or received pursuant to that scheme and any property of the Trust involved in any scheme, is, to the extent prescribed therein, hereby charged. (3) Neither the Registrar-General nor any person dealing bona fide and for value with any property vested in the Trust shall be bound to enquire whether any security or charge referred to in subsection (2) exists or be deemed to have notice of, or be bound by, any such security or charge by virtue only of this Act or the existence of any scheme of co‑operation under this section and— (a) a conveyance, transfer or other assurance to such a person shall operate as a discharge of any security or charge so referred to, insofar as the property conveyed, transferred or assured would, but for this subsection, be subject to the security or charge; and (b) a mortgage or charge in favour of such a person shall have priority over any security or charge so referred to that affects the property mortgaged or charged in favour of that person. 30—Saving provision (1) The provisions of section 29 shall apply to and in relation to all property at any time held by the Trust except to the extent that any such property is held subject to any trust expressly forbidding its use in any manner referred to in that section. (2) Subsection (1) shall not prevent the use of property in a manner referred to in section 29 if the property was merely directed to be held on trust for the general purposes of the Roman Catholic Church. 31—Power to alter trusts (1) Subject to subsection (2), in every case where by reason of the circumstances subsequent to the creation of the trust, including trusts declared under this section, to which any property vested in the Trust is for the time being subject, it has in the opinion of the Trust become impossible or inexpedient to carry out or observe such trusts, it shall be lawful for the Trust by resolution to declare such its opinion, and by the same or any subsequent resolution to declare other trusts for or for the use, benefit, or purpose of and in accordance with the objects of the Trust or, if that is impossible or inexpedient, for the general use, benefit or purpose of the Roman Catholic Church instead of the firstmentioned trusts, and the firstmentioned trusts shall thereupon by force of the resolution cease and determine and the property shall then be held upon the other trusts. (2) The property shall be dealt with for the same purposes as nearly as may be for the purposes for which the property was immediately before the resolution held unless the Trust, by resolution, declares that by reason of circumstances subsequent to the creation of the firstmentioned trusts it is, in the opinion of the Trust, impossible or inexpedient to deal with or apply the property or some part of the property for the same or similar purposes in which case the property or that part of the property may be dealt with and applied for the use and benefit of the Roman Catholic Church for such other purposes as are declared by resolution of the Trust. 32—Indemnification of certain persons A member of the Trust and any other person, exercising a power or performing a duty pursuant to this Act or pursuant to any resolution or direction of the Trust, his executors and administrators, shall be entitled to be indemnified out of the property of the Trust against all expenses or liabilities incurred by him in connection with the exercise by him of the power and the performance by him of the duty unless incurred in the course of fraudulent or negligent breach of trust. 33—Blending of Trust funds (1) Where the Trust holds moneys on trust for different purposes or activities it shall be lawful for the Trust from time to time to invest those moneys or any part or parts of those moneys as one fund and to distribute income arising ratably among the several purposes for which the moneys so invested are held and any loss arising from any such investment shall likewise be borne ratably. (2) The Trust may make advances out of the moneys referred to in subsection (1) for any purpose of or relating to the Roman Catholic Church and any sum so advanced shall be deemed an investment of moneys and shall bear interest at a rate fixed by the Trust shall (together with the interest) be a charge on the assets of the Roman Catholic Church. 34—Powers of investment The Trust unless expressly forbidden by any instrument creating any special trust, may invest any funds in its hands, whether at the time in a state of investment or not— (a) in any form of investment in which trustees are by statute authorised to invest trust funds; or (b) in any other manner that the Trust thinks fit. Legislative history Notes • For further information relating to the Act and subordinate legislation made under the Act see the Index of South Australian Statutes or www.legislation.sa.gov.au. Principal Act and amendments New entries appear in bold. Year No Title Assent Commencement 1981 3 Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide Charitable Trust Act 1981 26.2.1981 19.3.1981 (Gazette 19.3.1981 p740) 2014 24 Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide Charitable Trust (Membership of Trust) Amendment Act 2014 11.12.2014 11.12.2014 Provisions amended New entries appear in bold. Entries that relate to provisions that have been deleted appear in italics. Provision How varied Commencement Pt 1

ss 2 and 3 omitted under Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002 11.12.2014 s 4

the Convent of Mercy and the Sisters of Mercy deleted by 24/2014 s 3(1) 11.12.2014 designated ministry inserted by 24/2014 s 3(2) 11.12.2014 Sisters of Mercy inserted by 24/2014 s 3(3) 11.12.2014 s 4A inserted by 24/2014 s 4 11.12.2014 s 5

s 5(1) amended by 24/2014 s 5 11.12.2014 Pt 2

s 7

s 7(1) amended by 24/2014 s 6 11.12.2014

(d), (e) deleted by 24/2014 s 6 11.12.2014

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide Charitable Trust Act 1981

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Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide Charitable Trust Act 1981

Source text: opening excerpt

1 Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide Charitable Trust Act 1981