Obituary - Lachlan James McConchie

Lachlan was educated at North Balwyn Primary School and Greythorn High School, completing HSC in 1973. He went straight to work, doing anything and everything – such as, variously a taxi driver, switchboard operator and cleaner – with such industry and success that he and his wife Carole Jackson were able establish a number of Video Libraries (1981-91; 5 shops and 30 staff); and to buy a number of properties, which Lachlan then managed (from 1992); also managing the corporate structures for these enterprises.

He gained entry to the Monash Law School and graduated in Law in 2004. While a student, he served a placement in the Melbourne Office of the Commonwealth DPP.  After graduation, he served placements with a number of barristers in Supreme, County, Federal Circuit Court and Magistrates Court Criminal, Civil and Family Law work. He completed the Leo Cussen Practical Training Course and was admitted to practice in March 2006.

Lachlan came to the Bar in the September 2006 Readers Course; read with Alasdair (“Sandy”) Robertson; and Signed the Roll in November 2006.

He remained in Sandy’s Chambers for some time; then took Chambers in Owen Dixon West. He practised mostly in Criminal Law in the Magistrates’ Court. His illness was debilitating, but he was determined to keep practising as long as he could – which he did through about November 2014. He finally transferred to the Retired List as of 1 July 2016 – still occasionally visiting Chambers and maintaining contacts.

Lachlan was a proud father and grandfather; an avid reader, collector and researcher of antiques, records, books and ephemera – in particular, of antique mechanical musical machinery, on which he was an authority and speaker. He had a Norton Commando Motorcycle that he was restoring.

The Funeral Service to Celebrate his Life is on Monday 18 September 2017 at 1 pm at The Heritage Funeral Home, 733 Boronia Road, Wantirna