Presbytery of Tasmania (1924 to 1979)
Dates
- Existence: 12 May 1924 - 1979
Biography
1923 Blue Book, pXXXV overture proposal re UNION WITH TASMANIA.
The Committee appointed to report on the matter of closer union with Tasmania has considered the Deliverance forwarded by the Tasmanian Assembly, in which certain proposals are set forth suggesting the lines on which proceedings might lead to a corporate union satisfactory to both Churches concerned.
The Tasmanian proposals, agreed to at the last Assembly, suggest: —"That in the Deed of Union provision be made for—
"(a) The three Presbyteries of the Tasmanian Church to become one Presbytery, to be known as the Presbytery of Tasmania.
“(b) The Tasmanian Church to be received as part of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, and its Presbytery, Ministers, Sessions and congregations to be received as a Presbytery, etc., of the Victorian Church, with all rights and privileges, subject to the rules and conditions prevailing in Victoria.
“(c) The. United Church to be called the Presbyterian Church of Victoria and Tasmania.
"(d) The properties and capital funds of the Tasmanian Church to be administered by the Presbytery of Tasmania as ‘Governing Authority' under the Act of 1896, subject to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria and Tasmania. ”
The Committee has approved the recommendations of the Tasmanian Assembly, with the omission of the words “and Tasmania” in Sections ( c) and (d), and in thus reporting to the Assembly would add “that the question of Property and Trusts should be considered and reported on by the Law Agents of the respective Churches in time for the Committee to report to the next Commission, and that the Committee be reappointed, with the Revs. D. A. Cameron and G. M. Baird joint conveners.
1924 Blue Book, pp48-49, the overture as proposed in 1923 was approved:
The Report on the Union with Tasmania was submitted by the Rev D A Cameron who moved:
“That the Assembly receive and adopt the Report, thank the Committee and Convener, re-appoint the Committee, adding the name of Rev H M Burns, with the Rev H M Burns as Convener, and adopt the Report of the Commission of November 1923, as then amended, and with the proviso that there be one Presbytery for the whole of Tasmania, and that it should sit as the governing authority for the Presbyterian Church in Tasmania as regards property, the present basis of Union being altered accordingly, and also the general rules of. the Presbyterian Church in Tasmania, so far as may be necessary, and resolve to report this proposed action to the General Assembly of Australia. ” The motion was seconded by Mr. J. M Campbell, and approved.
7 May 1947 (p49) The Rev E H McLean Shugg moved: “That the Assembly:
1. Approve the continuance of Union with Tasmania for ten years according to the existing Deed of Union.
2. Require that before any definite steps are taken in Tasmania to appoint a ‘Commissioner’ a detailed scheme be prepared by the Church in Tasmania, in consultation with the ‘Committee on Union with South Australia and Tasmania’and brought to the United Assembly for its approval." The Deliverance was seconded and approved.
The Blue Book 1977 was the last listing for the Presbytery of Tasmania which covered the congregations of:
Deloraine, Devonport∕Don, Evandale, Hobart - St John's, Scot's; Launceston - Chalmers, North/Lilydale, St Andrew's/Riverside, St Stephen's Newstead; Kirklands/Campbell Town, Scottsdale, and Oatlands/Bothwell and Ulverstone.
Blue Book 1978 pp49, 50 re not wishing to renew the Deed of Union:
Re Deed of Union - Vic - Tas.
Thank you for your letter of the 12th. instant re the procedure to be adopted to bring the matter before the Assembly.
The facts are these:
1. The Deed of Union between Tasmania and Victoria has expired, and the Tasmanian Assembly does not wish to renew it, as we feel that it is too restrictive and we would rather stand on our own feet as far as possible.
2.There are two or three areas in which we are too small to stand on our own feet, e. g. Beneficiary Fund, Theological Education, Long Service Leave.
3.The Tasmanian Assembly wishes to continue the present arrangements with Victoria as regards the Beneficiary Fund. We could not possibly set up a fund of our own, and as all of our ministers are currently members of the Victorian Fund, we would like to continue the present arrangements until a national fund is set up. We would hope that, if we called a Minister from BSW or Queensland, he would be able to remain a member of his current Fund adjustments being made accordingly.
4.The Tasmanian Assembly now has its own Theological Education Committee. However, we would like to be able to continue to pass on to the Victorian Theological Hall such students who elect to train there. We have no facilities for training our own students in Tasmania.
5.The Tasmanian Assembly wishes to continue for the present to participate in the Ministers' Long Service Leave Fund. It may well be that we may be able to set up our own scheme here in the future, but until this is done, we would like the present arrangements continued.
This was brought to the General Assembly in 1979.