Wednesday, 26 November 2025
Receivership, Trust Structures and Denominational Risk: Lessons from the Presbyterian Church of Queensland
- Understanding denominational structures: When local churches are not separate legal entities
- Legal complexities in property ownership under trust structures
- Impacts of aged care and non-ministry operations on denominational solvency
- Case study: The Presbyterian Church of Queensland – receivership, trust property, and land control
- Structuring governance and asset management in faith-based organisations
Presented by Nathan Donovan, Director, Donovan Winkler Lawyers
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Chair
Josephine Heesh, Partner, Carroll & O'Dea Lawyers
Presenters
Josephine Heesh, Partner, Carroll & O'Dea LawyersJosephine has built a distinguished 45year career as a solicitor, specializing in supporting religious, charitable, philanthropic and other not-for-profit organizations. Her expertise includes setting up their structures, designing and advising on their governance, long term planning to ensure their ongoing mission and charitable purpose and advising on tax and property law issues. Josephine's educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sydney, followed by a Master of Laws. Her professional journey includes significant roles such as becoming a partner at Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers and a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has served on various boards, including The Catholic Weekly Newspaper and Kincoppal Rose Bay School, and chaired the Sancta Sophia College Council for a decade. Currently, she is a board member of the North Sydney Retirement Trust which operates James Milson Village at North Sydney and Woolwich and is a committee member of OLSH Overseas Aid Incorporated, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to community service.
Nathan Donovan, Director, Donovan Winkler Lawyers
Nathan has practiced as a solicitor in Queensland since 2005. Nathan has a broad and well-rounded practice including not-for-profit and charity law, commercial law, dispute resolution, property law and wills and estate law. Nathan is a sought-after legal advisor who is valued for his insightful legal analysis and his capacity to help navigate client’s safely and as quickly as possible through legal issues. Nathan’s client’s include schools, churches, charities, SMEs and individuals. His experience includes Charity/NFP Law, Commercial Law and Dispute Resolution. Nathan has served on a number of school, church and charity boards and audit and risk committees. He currently sits on the board of Outback Futures Limited, a Queensland-based PBI.
