DIGITAL LICENCE MEMBER PROFILES

MEMBER PROFILE

Each year more than 600 people undergo training to become Justices of the Peace or Commissioners for Declarations through the QJA Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Enrolment in the course includes free associate membership of the QJA for one year. For this edition of the Journal, we spoke to some of QJA’s newer JPs to hear about their JP journey so far. We spoke with Angela Sproston, John-Paul Villena, and Jonathon Woodgate each of whom have been JPs for less than two years.

Angela Sproston

It was during the lengthy process of becoming an Australian citizen that prompted Angela Sproston to become a Justice of the Peace. There were visa applications and a plethora of paperwork to complete, much of which required the services of a JP. Angela became very familiar, being on the other side of the signing desk asking for this, that, and the other, to be certified and witnessed. She wanted to do something in recognition of being able to stay in Australia and becoming a JP seemed an obvious choice. ‘I understand how valuable the work is, especially for people doing visas and going through the citizenship process. As I was taking a bit of time off work, I found I had the time to do the pre-appointment course. Once the course was completed and I was sworn in I was on my own as a JP (Qual). I felt I needed a mentor and turned to the QJA Trainer, Stuart Purdie, who had guided me through the training.’ Thanks to Stuart, Angela is now the coordinator for the Merthyr Village site in the inner Brisbane suburb of New Farm. At just 35 years of age, and working part-time in HR, Angela, is not typical of our members who volunteer in signing sites around the State. Trained as a barrister in her native United Kingdom, (but never practiced) Angela finds that she is well positioned to help people with statutory declarations and affidavits. However, she is very careful not to step over the line and provide any legal advice or complete their documents for them. ‘I protect against this by ensuring that I use the everyday language of a lay-person’ says Angela.

John-Paul Villena

John-Paul Villena told a similar story to Angela’s. He arrived in Australia ten years ago from his native Chile and decided to make his home here. Going through all of the processes to get that important Australian Citizenship certificate saw John-Paul regularly visiting the JPs. Now as a qualified JP and, despite working full time, John-Paul volunteers at the Greenslopes Mall shopping centre on Brisbane’s south side. Keen to consolidate the knowledge and skill he learnt during the pre-appointment course; he is pleased that he been mentored by experienced JPs. Commenting on interesting documents he has witnessed he said ‘I think wills can be challenging as everyone I have seen looks different to the one before. Some have been really short with only a couple of pages, while some, particularly if they are prepared by lawyers, can be many pages long. Given that it is such an important document you have to be really careful, and make sure you don’t cause any difficulty for the client’ said John-Paul.

Jonathon Woodgate

Jonathon Woodgate JP (Qual) had been suffering from some health and mobility issues decided that it was time to do something mentally challenging. Encouraged by his friends and colleagues, he took the opportunity to do the online JP pre-appointment course through the QJA. Speaking about the course Jonathon said ‘I found that the package offered and the level of support and assistance throughout were great and far better than competitor RTOs. I think the course is stimulating and enjoyable and gave me a great deal of satisfaction when I passed’. Since being sworn in, Jonathon has dealt with a variety of documents and feels a great sense of wellbeing when he has been able to help people. Being part of the local community is important to Jonathon and he is pleased that members from his church are spreading the word that he is now a JP. He finds more people are approaching him for JP services. His experience is growing as he was recently asked to witness a search warrant for the Caboolture Queensland Police Service. Jonathon enjoys being a member of the QJA as he receives lots of updates through the website, emails and the QJA Journal, and is pleased he can purchase stationery and supplies online.