This year we had the privilege of celebrating International Women’s Day at Rochedale Rovers Football Club, with locals who volunteer their time as Justice of the Peace and Commissioners for Declarations in our community.
During the celebrations we learned that way back In 1918, Matilda Hennessy became the first female JP in Queensland.
Ms Hennessy’s achievements are significant when you consider she became a JP just three years after women could first stand as candidates for Queensland Parliament.
From that important milestone more than 100 years ago, women JPs and Cdecs now outnumber men.
There are now 994 JPs and Cdecs in Springwood and 550 of them are women, and they have 22,301 years of service between them!
This year, we had the honour of presenting Anne-Marie Hunter with her 50 years of service certificate.
And just like Matilda all those 106 years ago, Anne-Marie became a JP because she had an interest in the law and serving our community.
Processes have certainly changed since Anne-Marie became a JP in 1974, but since retirement from full time work in 2005, she says she has enjoyed every day as a JP serving in the community.
It is vital the community has easy access to competent, professional, and well-trained JPs and Cdecs and has confidence that important legal documents are witnessed accurately and professionally.
Every JP and CDEC will use their qualifications in different ways; some volunteer time, others keep small businesses kicking along, others support our courts and police.
Whatever the reason, what is common is that they encounter locals at some of the most important times of our lives. It is here they make a big difference to those individuals and help knit the fabric of civil society.
So, on behalf of the entire neighbourhood, I’d like to say “thank you”, to every JP and Cdec, for choosing to help our community by committing your time and efforts.
