CEREMONIAL sittings were held in Wangaratta yesterday to farewell retiring magistrate John Murphy, who holds a unique position in Australian legal history.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He is one of only two magistrates to have worked in three states or territories.
His unique position and 52 years of public service was outlined by Victoria’s chief magistrate, Peter Lauritsen, who travelled to Wangaratta for the sittings.
He was joined on the bench by Mr Murphy, 70, and the North East’s other three magistrates — Stella Stuthridge, Ian Watkins and John O’Callaghan.
Mr Murphy’s older brother, Graeme, was a magistrate from 1977 until 1992.
He retired at the age of 54, just before his younger brother’s appointment in Victoria.
Mr Lauritzen said Mr Murphy became a magistrate in the Northern Territory in July 1980 and spent his final two years assigned to Alice Springs.
He came back to Victoria in 1984 and worked as a barrister before being appointed as a magistrate in the ACT in May 1988.
His appointment as a magistrate in Victoria came in 1993 and he was assigned to the Shepparton circuit in 1995.
Mr Lauritsen said Mr Murphy had worked in every court around Victoria except for six.
The only other magistrate who has worked in three states or territories is Michael Ward, who presided in the ACT, the Northern Territory and his home state of South Australia.
At one stage, Mr Murphy and Mr Ward were working together in the same jurisdiction.
“I congratulate John on his service to the Victorian community,” Mr Lauritsen said.
Long-time Wangaratta solicitor Norm Thompson spoke on behalf of the legal fraternity and prosecutor Sen-Constable Heath Dosser for the police.
Mr Thompson said courtesy and consideration were hallmarks of how Mr Murphy ran his court.
“May I wish you well in your retirement. You can look back on your time on the bench with pride,” Mr Thompson said.
Ms Stuthridge said she recalled appearing before Mr Murphy as a young legal practitioner.
Since her appointment as a magistrate in the region, she had become close friends with him.
Mr Murphy said his position was being taken by Annabel Hawkins, who would join the other three magistrates on the North East circuit.
They were described by Mr Murphy as “country magistrates” and he said: “This region will be well catered for”.
“What’s the best part of being a magistrate. It’s simple — the people.”
Mr Murphy’s wife, Kathy, and sons John-Paul, 30, and Timothy, 28, attended the farewell.