Albury has welcomed its first District Court resident judge after the appointment of a former Border man to the position.
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A ceremony was held for Judge Sean Grant on Monday in front of magistrates, legal professionals and court staff.
But the most excited person in the audience of about 50 was Judge Grant's 94-year-old mother, Joan, who proudly watched on from the jury area.
"I loved every moment of it," she later said.
"Today is an historical day," Judge Grant said.
"It is with great pride I sit as the the first resident District Court judge in Albury."
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The appointment came nearly 12 months to the day after he was sworn in as a judge on Valentine's Day last year.
The former St Patrick's Primary School and Wodonga High School student was admitted to practice as a lawyer in 1985 and was called to the Victorian Bar and NSW Bar in 1988 and 1989.
He represented underworld figures Carl Williams and Victor Brincat while working in Victoria before moving to Sydney in 2006.
Judge Grant has worked in a wide range of areas, including Sydney, Penrith, Bega and other regional locations in the past 12 months, and has now returned to the Border with his family.
"I'm looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting started," he said.
The move is part of a wider push by the government to have judges based in regional areas.
Judge Grant will sit for three week periods in Albury, then three week stints in Griffith.
He became emotional as he thanked his mother for her support, flanked by four magistrates including long serving Albury magistrate Tony Murray and new resident Albury magistrate, Richard Funston.
