OUT AND ABOUT

BUNDABERG QJA BRANCH

What a way to demonstrate the “Opportunity Just Ahead” slogan! The Bundaberg QJA Branch seized on a local opportunity by attending the Bundaberg Seniors Expo and were thrilled by their reception at the event.

Membership Officer, David Dempster, and Branch Chairman and Trainer, Russell Lyons, had a busy time fielding questions on Justice of the Peace activities and services, current QJA Justice of the Peace courses, and branch activities, as well as details about local signing centres, their locations, and very importantly, their opening times. It seems that demand for JP services in the Bundaberg region is strong and the QJA local members are providing a very valuable service.

Seven potential candidates were identified for the next Justice of the Peace Training Course, which is encouraging for the continued growth of the branch.

The Bundaberg QJA Branch is certainly community-orientated and can be proud of such positive outcomes through seizing the Opportunity Just Ahead.

A stall at the recent Volunteer Expo run by the Mackay Regional Council provided the Mackay QJA Branch with the opportunity to extend their involvement in local community activities and answer queries on the branch, its activities, and membership opportunities. People were also interested in the role of the QJA and its relevance to the local region. Topics covered by the QJA members volunteering at the stall included QJA courses, signing centre information, documents signed by JPs, and the mentoring of newly qualified JPs.

Over 600 locals attended the Expo, which was excellent exposure for the Mackay branch, and justified their decision to seize the Opportunity Just Ahead. It was a great chance to connect with their community.

TOWNSVILLE QJA BRANCH

The Townsville Branch is very proud of its two newest and youngest members, Daniel Rennie and Skye Wehrman, who both recently qualified as Justices of the Peace at the age of 19. Daniel has always been an active volunteer in his community and is at present preparing for his enlistment in the Defence forces, while Skye, a proud Gungalidda woman, is excited to be a role model for other young people, indigenous and non-indigenous, by actively volunteering in the local Townsville community as well.

The branch has also supported twins, Mason and Hilary McKenzie in their journey to become Justices of the Peace. The brother and sister duo have undertaken the QJA JP Course and are looking forward to taking their oaths on their 18th birthdays in June this year.

Like the Bundaberg and Mackay branches, the Townsville branch is actively seizing the Opportunity Just Ahead through their commitment to fostering and encouraging young Townsville citizens to qualify as Justices of the Peace.

Daniel Rennie sworn in by Magistrate Keegan at Townsville

This has been a brief insight into the life of just three of the twenty-six QJA branches in Queensland which all have an important role to play within the justice system, and all have a common aim to make the most of any Opportunity Just Ahead. The Queensland Justices Association is also guided by the principle of seizing the Opportunity Just Ahead and remains committed to continually reviewing its policies and procedures to ensure that its six thousand members continue to provide the best service possible to their fellow Queenslanders.

Contributor: Garth Stephens, Director JP(Qual)