About FOCIS

Why the Friends of Churchill Island Society Exists

The principal purpose of the Friends of Churchill Island Society Inc. (FOCIS) is defined in the Society’s Constitution as:

The promotion of the moveable cultural heritage of Churchill Island.

The Society is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the unique history of Churchill Island.

First established in 1980, FOCIS is active in raising funds and providing an opportunity for people interested in the historical significance and the exquisite natural beauty of Churchill Island to get involved and to make a difference.

FOCIS works alongside the Phillip Island Nature Park (PINP) and helps to guide PINP in the preservation of all historical aspects of the Island.

In the early years, FOCIS was heavily involved in activities that included assisting with running the shop, attending the ticket box at the old bridge, assisting with the gardening, hay carting, animal and pest control along with fencing and building maintenance. Over the years, those activities have been taken over by PINP. Today, FOCIS is primarily concerned with the acquisition, preservation and restoration of the collection of moveable cultural heritage items and presenting the collection to the public.

In pursuing its objectives, the Society acts in accordance with the following principles:

1. PINP holds the stewardship for Churchill Island.
2. The Society will focus its efforts on the promotion of the moveable cultural heritage of Churchill Island by undertaking activities that include:
   1. acquisition of new items for the collection,
   2. archiving, preserving and restoring items in the collection,
   3. publishing books, newsletters, videos and web site articles about the collection,
   4. cataloguing items in the collection, and
   5. educating the public about items in the collection.
3. The Society will draw upon the knowledge and skills of the membership of FOCIS in all activities concerned with promoting the moveable cultural heritage of Churchill Island.
4. The Society recognises that PINP is responsible for the maintenance of the infrastructure. The Society will provide advice, where appropriate, about changes that have the potential to affect the historical significance of the infrastructure and the impact on the moveable cultural heritage of Churchill Island.
5. The Society will work with PINP to foster public awareness of Churchill Island as a living and public museum in order to promote the moveable cultural heritage of Churchill Island.
6. The Society will work with PINP to help with the maintenance, restoration and preservation of collections of historical interest at Churchill Island in order to promote the moveable cultural heritage of Churchill Island.
7. The Society will work with PINP on special projects for the enhancement of Churchill Island, its historic working farm and precincts in order to more effectively promote the moveable cultural heritage of Churchill Island.
8. The Society will work with PINP on advancing relationships with, and connections, to the wider community of Bass Coast residents, volunteers and supporters in order to more effectively promote the moveable cultural heritage of Churchill Island.

Origins of the Society

First established in 1980, FOCIS is active in raising funds and providing an opportunity for people interested in the historical significance and the exquisite natural beauty of Churchill Island to get involved and to make a difference.

FOCIS works alongside the Phillip Island Nature Park (PINP) and helps to guide PINP in the preservation of all historical aspects of the Island.

In the early years, FOCIS was heavily involved in activities that included assisting with running the shop, attending the ticket box at the old bridge, assisting with the gardening, hay carting, animal and pest control along with fencing and building maintenance.  Over the years, those activities have been taken over by PINP.  Today, FOCIS is primarily concerned with the acquisition, preservation and restoration of the collection of moveable cultural heritage items and presenting the collection to the public.

Churchill Island Heritage Collection

An extensive collection of Churchill Island Heritage items is available on the Victorian Collections site: Churchill Island Heritage Farm Collection

This collection forms the basis for the operations of Churchill Island Heritage Farm, which is located on Churchill Island, where in 1801, during a survey of Western Port Bay, Lieutenant James Grant built a cottage, cleared land and planted the first wheat and corn crops grown in Victoria, using seeds provided by John Churchill.

The working farm features a homestead, built by Samuel Amess, a one-time mayor of Melbourne who purchased the island in 1872, together with cottages built by John Rogers in the 1860s and associated outbuildings.

As well as the heritage buildings, the collection includes agricultural machinery, implements, and tools, special collections of farm engines and dairy equipment, and historical photographs.

The collection is managed by the Churchill Island Heritage Farm Curator.

Constitution

The Society’s Constitution was adopted by special resolution at the General Meeting held on 14 February 2015 and approved by Consumer Affairs Victoria on 24 February 2015.

The Constitution (28 pages) is available for viewing or download here: FOCIS – Constitution – 09 Mar 2015

Administration

Under its Constitution, the business of the Society is managed by an Executive Committee comprising a President, Vice President, Secretary, Editor, Membership Secretary, Treasurer and three other members, all of whom are elected every year.

Information about members of the Executive Committee is available here: Committee

Copyright

1. The Friends of Churchill Island Society Inc. is the sole owner of the information published on this web site.
2. Duplication is not permitted without prior written consent.
3. All information on this web site is copyright by the Friends of Churchill Island Society Inc.

Privacy

We only gather information we need to serve you better and will not, without your consent, sell, share, or rent this information to others in ways different from what is disclosed in this statement except in cases where in good faith we believe that it is necessary to do so in order to provide a service to you, the law requires us to do so, it is necessary to protect the Friends of Churchill Island Society rights and/or property, or if circumstances necessitate acting to protect the personal safety of staff or of the public.

Email Addresses

Postal Address

Newsletter

The Society publishes a regular newsletter, FOCIS News the aim of which is to serve as a source of information about the Society’s activities and to provide a forum for discussion and opinion from members.

Copies of FOCIS News can be viewed here: FOCIS Newsletters

Registration as a Charity

The Friends of Churchill Island Society Inc. is a recognised charity and is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

You can view the Society’s details on the ACNC Register at the ACNC web site here: ACNC Register

Registration as an Incorporated Association

The Friends of Churchill Island Society Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation.  It is registered with the Department of Consumer Affairs, Victoria as an Incorporated Association.

The registration number is: A0021907W

Taxation Status

Tax Concessions

THE FRIENDS OF CHURCHILL ISLAND SOCIETY INCORPORATED is a Charitable Institution endorsed to access the following tax concessions:

GST Concession – 01 Jul 2005
FBT Rebate – 01 Jul 2005
Income Tax Exemption – 01 Mar 2001

ABN: 78 667 051 020

DGR Status

THE FRIENDS OF CHURCHILL ISLAND SOCIETY INCORPORATED operates the following funds, authorities or institutions. Gifts to these funds, authorities or institutions are tax deductible.

• THE FOCIS CHURCHILL ISLAND HERITAGE FUND

Recognised Charity

The Friends of Churchill Island Society Inc. is a recognised charity and is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

You can view the Society’s details on the ACNC Register at the ACNC web site here: ACNC Register