AustLit

'In June 2022, after almost 12 years as a judge of the County Court of Victoria, I retired from that position. COVID hastened my departure as the administration of justice became mired in a blur of protocols, RAT tests, WebEx hearings and the constant risk of infection. Just like any other workplace no doubt, although as one judge observed, it isn't right to sentence an offender to a lengthy term of imprisonment from a kitchen table. From time to time I was sentencing offenders with my Jack Russell, Terry, sitting at my feet. He'd come a long way from the rescue dogs shelter.' (Publication abstract)

'Yesterday the list clerk asked me to take a case for an Indigenous man who wanted a sentence indication in relation to an appeal he had. He was late, didn't have a mobile phone and I was told he was over at the Magistrates Court getting a food voucher for lunch.' (Introduction)