Overview
Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ), one of Australia’s largest volunteer-based community organisations, operates relatively independently within the broader Surf Life Saving Australia group. The organisation faced evolving regulatory requirements that necessitated a comprehensive review of its internal governance and operations framework against relevant legal standards.
Project scope
Holan Group deployed corporate governance professionals to support four primary activities:
- Governance review — examining SLSQ’s compliance obligations under the Charities Act 2013 (Cth), including constitutional matters, board responsibilities and insurance-related legal requirements.
- Dependencies analysis — assessing relationships and dependencies involving Queensland police, ambulance services and emergency response frameworks, identifying associated legal risks and organisational obligations.
- Resources analysis — providing guidance on personnel and workforce considerations stemming from proposed operational coordination changes and Work Health and Safety Act compliance.
- Business continuity — contributing to risk assessment and business continuity planning while reviewing documentation for regulatory alignment.
Outcomes
Beyond the core deliverables, Holan offered mentoring support to the delivery team and assisted with contract management and stakeholder engagement. The engagement successfully strengthened SLSQ’s governance adherence to the Charities Act, improved operational relationships with external emergency services, and enhanced volunteer coordination.
Frequently asked questions
What does governance mean for a not-for-profit?
Governance defines how an organisation makes decisions, manages risk, and ensures accountability to stakeholders and communities.
Why is governance improvement important?
Robust frameworks build trust, enhance transparency, and ensure resources advance mission-driven objectives.
What does a governance improvement project involve?
Projects typically examine board structures, policies, delegations and reporting, while strengthening connections between governance, strategy and operations.
How is success measured?
Success manifests through clearer decision-making, improved compliance, engaged boards, strengthened financial oversight and increased stakeholder confidence.
What are the key enablers of good governance?
Essential elements include role clarity, effective board-management relationships, appropriate policies, regular reviews, and cultures emphasising integrity and accountability.
