Moderator’s Update on Receivership – July 2021

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8 July 2021

Dear Church members,

Introduction:

Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support for the PCQ in these very difficult and challenging circumstances. It is a great encouragement to the office bearers, members of the Commission of Assembly, Boards and Committees, and the PCQ office staff to receive the expressions of support as we work together to achieve, in God’s providence, the best outcomes for the church.

This letter is a follow on from our last communication of 18 June to bring you up to date with developments as the Receivership progresses. We will continue to provide regular communications to ensure that you are as well informed as possible going forward.

PresCare Sales:

The transition of the PresCare Community Care business has now been completed, with the business now formally operating as Sapphire Living.

The Receivers completed the sale process with Apollo Care Operations for the three freehold facilities (Rockhampton and Maryborough), as entered into by PresCare, on 11 June. This also involved seeking and receiving directions from the Court regarding the sale. The Receivers’ team and PresCare Executives and staff are now in the process of transitioning Alexandra Gardens in Rockhampton and Yaralla Place and Groundwater Lodge in Maryborough to Apollo Care. This involves transitioning care systems, human resource management such as payroll, along with accounting and procurement and other management systems to the new provider and this is progressing smoothly with no inconvenience to residents.

The Receivers have completed a review of the sale process of WRB (Corinda), Vela (Carina) and Protea (Townsville) and are now in the final stages of negotiation with interested parties. Weekly updates are provided to residents, families and staff on the sale and the PresCare Executive regularly meet with staff to answer questions on the process. PresCare staff have been fully engaged by the Receivers in meeting and providing information to the interested parties and planning for the transition of these remaining residential facilities.

Both Vela (Carina) and Protea (Townsville) recently underwent unannounced audits of their compliance with the Aged Care Standards. Both facilities met all of the standards audited with commendable comments from residents and the auditors on the care provided. The Receivers have overall responsibility for and monitor the PresCare aged care operations and regular meetings are held with PresCare Executives and the Department of Health.

Negotiations are nearing completion with a party interested in taking over the operations of Connect 2 Health, the remaining commercial entity operated by PresCare.

What’s happening:

The LPE along with the Commission of Assembly, FAB and the PCQ Office continue to function, fulfilling their duties and responsibilities in managing the affairs of PCQ and PresCare, albeit now under the framework of the Receivership. We have also been actively engaged in the following activities:

  • Providing detailed and comprehensive responses to requests for information from the Receivers that will assist them in providing their report and submissions to the Supreme Court of Qld.
  • Working with the Receivers to address and resolve issues arising from the Receivership, including presenting the Church’s position on various matters and negotiating accordingly.
  • Engaging with lawyers regarding the complex legal matters facing the Church.
  • Liaising with the ad hoc Facilitation Group regarding the work it is doing on the status of congregational assets.

What’s Ahead:

  • The regular yearly PCQ Assembly will take place on 26-29 July, with updates regarding the Receivership being given and the normal Assembly business being conducted. The LPO’s will be reporting to the July Assembly on all these matters with recommendations on the way forward. We have invited the Receivers to attend the Assembly to provide an update on the Receivership.
  • Subject to any extension that may be granted by the court, it is anticipated that the Receivers will be providing their report to the Supreme Court of Qld in mid-August, potentially along with submissions on various matters. More information will be forthcoming in the days ahead.
  • For our denomination and our congregations to continue to focus on gospel ministry and the building of God’s Kingdom, we believe that now, more than ever, all Presbyterians in Queensland need to come together to determine, with God’s guidance, the best way forward for the Church as a whole.

We also need to carefully manage our resources so that when this current crisis has been resolved, we can once again focus our resources on gospel ministry.

Concluding Comments:

Please continue in prayer that as we approach the July Assembly that the Assembly will lead the way in dealing with the issues before the Church in a manner that keeps our unity in the gospel and displays our love for one another. In was a pastor of the early Christian Church, Tertullian, who noted how the early Christians’ love for one another and for non-Christians in hard times commended the gospel to the people of the Roman Empire. May the way we love one another, and the way our Assembly responds to the challenges we face, commend the gospel to our neighbours, friends, relatives, and work colleagues.

Signed on behalf of the PCQ Letters Patent Office Bearers: Phil Strong (Moderator), Stuart Hoadley (Clerk), and Paul Cotton (Treasurer).