We’ve received a number of queries from PCQ members about where the Receivership is at and how certain documents might be accessed by PCQ members.

We’re able to let you know that the Receivers continue to perform their Court appointed role of preserving and maintaining the assets of the PCQ, both through the management and oversight of the operations of the Church, and through defending the Court Action brought by Catalyst. As you will be aware, this action centres around the financing arrangements between PresCare and Catalyst that related to the previous PresCare Aged Care facilities at Townsville and Carina, and the Aged Care facility that PresCare was planning to operate at Corinda. These three Aged Care facilities are now within the operations of other aged care providers. The three court actions are being managed together on the Commercial List at the Supreme Court of Qld. A mediation, as a part of the Court’s processes, is to occur between the Receivers (for the assets of PresCare and the PCQ) and Catalyst by the month of September this year. If the matter isn’t settled by mediation, then it proceeds to a Court hearing, which is scheduled for November this year.

We’ve been asked by PCQ members how they might be able access documents filed in the legal proceedings associated with the Court Appointed Receivership. There are two ways you can access these documents:

1. Anyone can access them directly from the Supreme Court of Qld (which may charge a fee) at https://www.qld.gov.au/law/court/court-services/access-court-records-files-and-services.
2. If you are a member of a PCQ church, you can email the Office the Clerk of the Assembly clerk@pcq.org.au and request to view the documents filed in the legal proceedings associated with the Court Appointed Receivership that are held by PCQ. You will not be charged a fee for this access. Please copy your congregation’s Session Clerk into this email as this assists the Office the Clerk of the Assembly to ensure that such requests are only coming from members of PCQ congregations. The Receivers’ report also remains available to download at report.pcq.church and a copy of the unredacted volume 2 is available on request from the Office of the Clerk.

In addition to the above, we are able to let you know that in performing their Court appointed role, the Receivers’ remuneration and disbursements (including legal costs) continue to accrue.  Some of these costs have been paid from the remaining PresCare and PCQ denominational assets (including the sale of the Spring Hill building). The Receivers provide monthly reports to the PCQ’s Letters Patent Officers (The Moderator, Clerk, and Treasurer of the State Assembly) on the level of their remuneration and disbursements. Regarding ongoing payment of these costs, the Receivers have advised that based on the expected timing of payments, they anticipate at this present time, that no further sale of PCQ assets appear to be required between now and the Court hearing scheduled for November this year.

Lastly, whilst there are many challenges the community of churches that make up the PCQ are going through at this time, we are very encouraged by the way congregations, presbyteries, and the State church as a whole are ministering together at this time, as we look to and follow in the footsteps of Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-3). Let us give thanks to God for the communities of disciples of the Lord Jesus that make up the PCQ and for the heart for reaching our regions and our world with the gospel that he has placed in our congregations, presbyteries, and our State church as a whole. Please continue in prayer, that God will enable us to see, together, the good he is working in our present circumstances and challenges (Romans 8:28-39).

Kind regards,

Phil Strong

Moderator

Presbyterian Church of Queensland