The Ignatian - December 2016 Vol 26 December 2017 Vol 28 | Page 7

From the Council
Incorporation:
A New Era for Riverview
The rigidity and demands of the external
compliance environment may suggest
that ‘new beginnings’ are something of a
remote possibility at Council level. Precisely
because of increasing expectations
that reside with the accountability
and transparency of governance in all
organisations – from hospitals and schools
through to business corporations, a ‘new
beginning’ has been recently ushered
in at Riverview through the process of
incorporation.
For the last 137 years, Saint Ignatius’
College Riverview has operated as an
unincorporated entity under different
governance structures. The College
Council was introduced in 1994, and for
the last 23 years it has been responsible for
the governance and affairs of the College
under the direction of the Australian
Province of the Society of Jesus. As new
compliance legislation for New South Wales
came into effect in 2016, the College, along
with all of the Colleges across Australia,
moved towards the gradual incorporation
of the schools to form companies limited
by guarantee with Boards of Directors
to respond to contemporary legal and
financial obligations.
On December 2nd, the operation of the
College transferred to Saint Ignatius’
College Riverview Limited, an incorporated
company registered with the Australian
Securities and Investments Commission
(ASIC) and the Australian Charities and
Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC).
While this is a significant shift in the legal
status of the organisation, there will be
little change to the daily operations of the
College as it has functioned in the same
way, for all intents and purposes, for many
years.
Former Members of College Council
are being asked to consider taking on
the role of Directors of the Board of the
incorporated company. Nominations for
Directors are proposed to another newly
incorporated entity, Jesuit Education
Australia (JEA), which will then refer the
nominations to the Provincial for his
approval.
A new era, indeed a new beginning, has
dawned for the governance of Jesuit schools
across Australia. While the rationale for the
introduction of such structures is legally
and financially necessary in the current
and future environment, there is a need to
ensure that the Jesuit principles and values
that underpin the schools remain authentic
to the very distinctive and proud tradition
that has been built over the better part of
500 years.
The Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview Board
will work assiduously towards that aim over
the coming years.
Finally, I wish to sincerely thank Fr Ross
for his time as Rector of the College, both
from myself and on behalf of the Council.
You have been an inspiration to us and
we wish you the best for your return to St
Aloysius'.
And a merry Christmas to all as we look
forward to a wonderful new year together.
J O H N W I L C OX , C H A I R
F R O M T H E C O U N C I L | I G N ATI A N | 7