The Bendigo Diocesan Trusts Corporation is an Australian nonprofit organisation established to provide trust and custodial services primarily for the Anglican Diocese of Bendigo in Victoria. Incorporated in 1905 under the Anglican Trusts Corporation Act 1884 (Victoria), the Corporation serves as the legal trustee of properties and funds held in trust for the ministry and mission of the Anglican Church within the diocese[2][5].

History and Legal Framework

The Trusts Corporation was created by an act of the Parliament of Victoria that empowers it to hold and manage real and personal property on behalf of the Anglican Church in the Diocese of Bendigo. This legislative foundation articulates the Corporation’s role as a corporate trustee with responsibilities including holding property titles, overseeing trust funds, and ensuring these assets are preserved and managed for their intended ecclesiastical purposes[2][5].

Purpose and Activities

The primary function of the Bendigo Diocesan Trusts Corporation is to act as trustee for approximately 131 property titles across the Diocese of Bendigo. These properties predominantly include churches, church halls, and rectories. The Corporation also holds and administers funds arising from bequests made for the benefit of individual churches and parishes within the diocese[2][3].

Through these activities, the Trusts Corporation supports the ministry of the Anglican Church by enabling the provision of worship services, pastoral care, and the proclamation of the Gospel. It plays a key role in facilitating the Church’s mission to transform society and people's lives through the teachings of Jesus Christ[1][3].

Governance and Relationship with the Diocese

The Trusts Corporation operates under the direction of the Bishop of Bendigo, acting with advice from the Council of the Diocese or the directors of the Bendigo Anglican Diocesan Corporation—the body responsible for the employment and operational matters of the diocese. The governance structure ensures that the Corporation’s management of church property and funds aligns with diocesan policies and regulations established through the Synod, the formal governing assembly of the Diocese of Bendigo[2].

The Synod, empowered by Victorian legislation, meets annually to deliberate on issues relevant to church governance and ministry. The Trusts Corporation’s governance framework mandates adherence to acts, diocesan rules, and trust conditions, ensuring fiduciary and legal compliance in all dealings[2][5].

Significance

By holding legal title to significant church properties and managing trust funds, the Bendigo Diocesan Trusts Corporation provides a critical institutional framework that upholds the material and spiritual mission of the Anglican Church in the region. Its work sustains the operational and pastoral functions of the Diocese of Bendigo, supporting clergy, parish councils, and church communities in maintaining and utilizing their properties for religious and community purposes[2][3].

This article summarizes the role, history, and governance of the Bendigo Diocesan Trusts Corporation, referencing legislative documents and official diocesan sources.

[1] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/3ad3367e-38af-e811-a962-000d3ad24a0d [2] https://www.bendigoanglican.org.au/governance/ [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/b4252fcf-39af-e811-a962-000d3ad24a0d/profile [4] https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.bendigo_diocesan_trusts_corporation.6fc0e1fecd56c81279d83dbf35245a5a.html [5] https://www.bendigoanglican.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Trusts-Corporation-Act-2015-passed-at-Synod-290515-amended-2016.pdf