Obituary & Funeral Details - Kevin Mahony AM

Kevin Mahony was born in Ballarat and educated at Marcellin College, Camberwell and the University of Melbourne (LL B 1963). He was admitted to practise in 1964 and called to the Bar in 1966, where he read with the Hon Justice Ken Jenkinson.

Kevin practised as a commercial barrister for 17 years. He was a ‘lawyer’s lawyer’ whose door on the 8th floor of ODC was always open to his colleagues. Kevin is remembered for his sense of humour, as well as his generosity in sharing his deep knowledge of the law, personal library and unique filing-card system of authorities. Good-natured football rivalry was a feature of his chambers (it is noted by grieving friends that Kevin’s beloved Carlton won at the MCG on Saturday).

Kevin mentored four readers – the Hon Justice Jennifer Davies, Her Honour Judge Frances Hogan, Michael Shand AM QC and Tom Gyorffy QC.

In 1983, Kevin was appointed as the second ever Senior Master of the Supreme Court, a role in which he served for 29 years until his retirement in 2012. He was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court when that office came into existence. In 2017 Kevin was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the law and to the judiciary in Victoria, to education, and to professional legal bodies.

One of Kevin’s great legacies is his stewardship of the Supreme Court Funds in Court Office which administers funds paid as compensation to people who are under 18 years old, and/or who have an intellectual or physical disability.

Under Kevin’s leadership, the funds in trust grew from $60m to $1.3b (now $1.855b). Since 2004, moneys for a person with a disability in the County and Magistrates’ Courts and VCAT are also paid into the Funds in Court, resulting in the number of beneficiaries growing from around 1,400 to over 5,000 at the time of Kevin’s retirement. Kevin’s vision ensures vulnerable members of our society are treated with dignity and that their funds are appropriately managed. The Funds in Court office in La Trobe Street was named Kevin Mahony Chambers in his honour earlier this year.

The Bar extends deepest sympathies to Kevin’s wife Gabby, his son Ned and daughter-in-law Olivia. Details of any funeral or memorial service will be advised when they are known.