On Tuesday, I attended the State Funeral for the Hon. Sir James Gobbo AC CVO QC. The funeral was well attended by current and former judiciary, including the Chief Justice, Anne Ferguson and the President of the Court of Appeal, Christopher Maxwell. The Hon. Daniel Andrews and former Premiers of the State were also in attendance, as were a number of members of the Bar. The Governor of Victoria, the Hon. Linda Dessau AC, Allen Myers AC QC and Jeremy Gobbo QC delivered eloquent eulogies that told of Sir James’ commitment to community service, his faith, the law and his family.
The newly appointed President of the Victorian Bar Róisín Annesley QC said the Victorian Government’s proposed amendments to the Pandemic Management Bill do not go far enough to protect the rule of law.
On Wednesday, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria announced the appointment of 16 new silks. I congratulate Siobhan Ryan, Graeme Hill, Angus Macnab, Lisa Hespe, Daniel Aghion, Marc Felman, Meghan O’Sullivan, Nicholas Wood, Fiona Ryan, Kathleen Foley, Emily Porter, Elizabeth Bennett, Patrick Doyle, Ruth Shann, Charles Parkinson and Barbara Myers. I wish them every success in their new role as leaders of the Victorian Bar and the legal profession in this State.
The appointment of 16 new silks to the Victorian Bar by the Supreme Court of Victoria is welcomed by Victorian Bar President, Christopher Blanden QC.
The Victorian Bar today welcomed the appointment of 16 new Senior Counsel by the Honourable Chief Justice Anne Ferguson of the Supreme Court of Victoria:
The Victorian Bar has provided a submission to the Department of Health and an Expert Reference Group following a briefing on 3 November 2021 in relation to the Public Health and Wellbeing (Pandemic Management) Bill 2021. The Bar’s submission addresses both the intent of the Bill and specific sections and recommends a number of amendments.
Next Thursday evening the poll will be declared in the current Bar Council election. Accordingly, this will be my final episode of In Brief.
It has been a momentous 12 months. The Bar Council started the year with an ambitious agenda and in addition, there have been several further issues for the Bar, both expected and unexpected. In my view the Bar and its individual members have shown resilience and commitment in the face of the significant challenges that have come our way. In particular, the capricious changes to the rules relating to childcare and chambers access during the various lockdowns, added an unwelcome and unnecessary layer of frustration to an already difficult situation.
Born in Mosman, Sydney. Tony’s parents relocated to Melbourne after the War. Wesley College. Melbourne University. One of the first to do a combined degree of Law and Commerce. Admitted to practice in March 1962. Signed Bar roll in November 1963. Bar Roll number 710. Read with Ivor Greenwood (later A.G. Cth).
Lockdown, or at least most of it, comes to an end at 6:00pm tonight. I’m sure all members will be relieved. Hopefully this will herald a return to chambers for members over the next few weeks. In the meantime, I hope everyone enjoys the break afforded by the Cup holiday.
