MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: REFLECTIONS ON PREVIOUS QJA MEMBERS OF THE YEAR

As the QJA gears up to announce the prestigious QJA Awards for 2021, Director Joan Kennedy looks back at former recipients of the Member of the Year Award. While the previous winners may not know each other personally, they have many things in common. All have been recognised for their dedication to the oath of the Justice of the Peace and outstanding service to their communities and the QJA family.

DAVID HARRIS JP (QUAL) – MEMBER OF THE YEAR 2016

2016 was the inaugural year of the QJA Awards for Excellence (as they were known then) and David Harris was the first recipient.

David is now retired and winding down but has very fond memories of JP life with the QJA. He says of receiving the Member of the Year Award that ‘It was an unexpected honour which recognised my professional responsibilities as a JP. I really appreciated the support of my colleagues in the Branch where I had been the Chair for the previous 4 years’.

David received his award at the Conference dinner following the 2016 State Conference in Rockhampton and it certainly made his trip up north from Brisbane much more worthwhile after a stimulating conference.

As I was talking to David, he reflected on the award saying that ‘it is dear to me and I keep it in pride of place in my office’.

While he did not need an award to prompt him to continue his activities with the QJA, he continues to promote the QJA, mentoring and recruiting new members to the Branch.

RON COURT JP (QUAL) – MEMBER OF THE YEAR 2017

‘Being awarded Member of the Year in 2017 was the pinnacle of my career as a JP’ said Ron Court when I asked him how he felt about receiving the award. Ron was quite humbled by the experience and said ‘Everything I did to achieve this award was really a team effort, and it was a great surprise to be singled out for recognition. Over the last 20 or so years, I have loved my time with the QJA as a member and trainer of prospective JPs and Cdecs, especially the face-to-face connection’.

Ron reflected on his achievements and recalled how wonderful it was to be recognised. He was instrumental in setting up the Caboolture Branch and was its first Chairman in 2011. The Branch was such a success that, by 2015, they were able to host the State Conference. He had also been a QJA Board member for a couple of years, so being Member of the Year was the cherry on the cake.

When asked about the presentation on the night, Ron said ‘Well, it was past my bedtime, so I was in a bit of a daze and lost for words for once in my life’.

KEITH TAYLOR JP (QUAL) – MEMBER OF THE YEAR 2018

‘A night I will never forget’ says Keith Taylor JP (Qual) who received the Member of the Year Award in 2018.

It was celebrations all round, as Keith was celebrating 50 years as a JP and 50 years as a member of the QJA; and the QJA was celebrating its centennial year. For such an occasion, that year the awards were presented at the magnificent Gala Dinner at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre following the State Conference.

Keith remembers how proud he felt to be presented with the Member of the Year award by His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland. ‘As far as know I am the only one to be presented with an award by the Governor which makes it so much more significant’ says Keith.

This prestigious award has meant a lot to Keith. He felt he was being recognised by his colleagues for his dedication to providing quality JPs services and that his achievements matter. Keith knows that there are many other worthy recipients of the award and will be forever grateful that he was selected on this night of nights.

Contibutor: Joan Kennedy Director JP(Qual)

BROOKE BATLEY JP (QUAL) – MEMBER OF THE YEAR 2019

Brooke is our current Member of the Year. The baton will be passed to the next recipient at the State Conference dinner on 15 May 2021.

November 2019 was a red-letter day for Brooke as he got the ‘double-whammy’. Not only was he selected as Member of the Year earlier in the day at the QJA AGM, Brooke was also elected to the QJA Board of Directors. This is a rare occurrence as sitting Board members are not eligible for the Member of the Year award, but Brooke’s nomination and win preceded the outcome of the Board election.

Brooke was recognised for his dedication and tireless work as a QJA Trainer and Assessor, Chair of the Logan Branch, as well as spreading his expertise across five signing sites within the Logan community. Brooke is the go-to JP for matters relating to services to clients from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Accepting the award from QJA President, John Carpendale at the Conference dinner in Maroochydore, Brooke said ‘On that night, I felt so proud and humbled to receive such recognition from my colleagues and peers.’

The QJA is proud of its members and knows that there are many who are worthy of our most prestigious individual award, Member of the Year.

We look forward to the State Conference dinner when the 2021 Member of the Year will be announced. Good luck to the nominees.