By Francisco Silva -
The youngest is 68 years old, the oldest and still providing services, is 93. The NSW Government honoured the 165 Justices of the Peace who graduated in 1975 and took the opportunity to announce a new service that helps connect people with disability-friendly JPs.
On a cool Thursday morning, 165 JPs of the “Class of ‘75”, from all over New South Wales, were honoured at State Parliament for their half a century of dedication and commitment to community service.
In attendance were several members of the government, including Michael Daley, NSW Attorney General, who lauded the Justices of the Peace as “integral to the function of courts and banks.”
“Every day, thousands of JPs across New South Wales help people access justice in their communities and witnessing and certifying documents during significant life moments,” Daley said.
Also in present was the Secretary of the Department of Communities and Justice, Michael Tidball, marking the occasion to launch “JP 4 All”, a new initiative to be rolled out next month, that makes it easier for people to find JPs that offer accessible services, including AUSLAN, video services and disability-friendly locations.
“The role of a JP has always been about giving back to the community – stepping forward to help others access important services with fairness, care and integrity,” Tidball said.
“’JP 4 All’ builds on that tradition by helping to make JP services more accessible for people with disability. These steps will help remove barriers and ensure JP services continue to serve the whole community, in ways that reflect how people live and engage now.”
Barry and Dianne Barnes, from St Ives, celebrated not only 50 years as Justices of the Peace but also 50 years of marriage.
“it’s an important service.” Barry told LSJ Online. “It’s a way of giving back that enables you to also grow a little bit.”
“Because being a JP requires discipline. You need to understand what the limitations of your authority are, what you can and what you can’t do. You need to be quite disciplined in the material that you look at and make sure [it] is correct.”
Originally from Queensland, where he was already serving as a Justice of the Peace, Barry transferred down to New South Wales when Dianne took the oath of office. Sitting together, holding hands, they spoke proudly about five decades serving the community, which they see as a commitment to a community they believe in. “We’re individuals, but we’re a family unit, and we belong to the community we live in,” continued Dianne.
“And that sense of belonging is something that everyone, I think, is seeking. It’s a human part of our DNA. We find our own tribe. We know who our people are, and we support each other. And I think that is the strength of the Aussie spirit of belonging, and we all belong. Let’s face it, our diversity is our strength, and we all belong.”
Click here to learn more about volunteering as a JP.
Top image: Jordan Yoosuff, JY Public Relations
