Jenny Mitchell and Keith Thomas celebrate their service as JPs. 52527
By Mara Pattison-Sowden
CENTENARY celebrations have been in full swing for Honorary Justices of the Peace.
Two of the shire’s longest serving Justices of the Peace (JPs) were honoured for their combined total of 82 years experience.
Warburton’s Keith Thomas has served as a JP for 49 years, and Mt Dandenong resident Jenny Mitchell has been a JP for 33 years.
Mr Thomas was the 934th justice and he said the new justices were running into the five digits.
In the 1960s, justices were expected to spend time on the bench in court, where he said most people they dealt with were locals.
“It has been a great journey,” he said.
Ms Mitchell said she became a justice through her work as a pharmacist in Swan Hill.
“These days, I’ll get two or three visits a week to sign true copies and affidavits,” she said.
President of the Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices, Garry Runge, told guests at a special celebration for Yarra Valley JPs, it was great to see a council recognise and support the volunteers, who loved what they do as JPs.
He said after a recent government review, Attorney-General Rob Hulls told the Association more could be done to support JPs and ensure those appointed would uphold their rights and responsibilities.
Mr Runge said there was a need to recruit JPs who were younger and represented the multicultural society.
“The current experience is invaluable, but we need to plan ahead so we can celebrate the next 200 years,” he said.
Mr Runge said JPs had signed more than 1.5 million documents in Victoria in the last six years.
Association secretary Leo King told guests JPs were likened to “knights in shining armour”, or in 1361, they were known as the keepers of the peace.
Mr King said JPs today played a more polished role which was increasing in demands and importance.
“Especially now that we’ve moved to a paperless society. This paperless society requires everything to be on paper and, of course, witnessed,” Mr King said.
