February 26, 2014
Coolabunia has a special link to Queensland’s 26th Governor, the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, whose appointment was announced today.
Paul de Jersey spent some of his earliest years in the South Burnett area while his father Ronald was principal at the then one-teacher Coolabunia school.
His two brothers attended school there.
In 2004, while attending the Railway Grand Ball in Yarraman – part of Rosalie Shire’s 125th anniversary celebrations – the then Chief Justice recalled his boyhood years in the area:
“My memories of this part of Queensland are I believe the earliest I recall.
“At the time of my birth, my parents lived at Patrick’s Estate where my father ran the one-teacher school. Later we moved to Coolabunia, at a time, I should say, when there was no electricity, and only tank water – the best water!
” As to Yarraman itself, I vividly recall the excitement of taking the rail motor from Brisbane to Yarraman, thence a mini-bus which was called the service car to Coolabunia.
“My mother says I was then about two years old, so the rail link we celebrate tonight had been in place for 37 years. I recall being a talkative passenger, to whom my mother patiently responded, rather to the bemusement of the other passengers, none of whom could understand a word I said. I hope that is not now said of my judgments.”
Premier Campbell Newman said today Chief Justice de Jersey had enjoyed a distinguished career, including serving the people of Queensland as Chief Justice for the past 16 years.
“His Honour was born in Brisbane and raised in country Queensland as the third son of school teacher parents and is a proud Queenslander who has made a huge contribution to the legal profession,” Mr Newman said.
“His extensive experience and service to the people of Queensland makes him not just qualified but the perfect fit for this important role.
“The Chief Justice practised as a barrister for 14 years, the last three years as Queen’s Counsel before being appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland for 13 years.
“From there, he has served the people of Queensland impeccably as the head of the Queensland court system.
“Despite his busy schedule, Chief Justice de Jersey has managed to find time to give back to the community, especially to charities advancing cancer research and as the Chancellor of the Brisbane Diocese of the Anglican Church.
“I welcome his Honour, his wife Kaye and their three children, Carolyn, Alison and David and grandchildren, Alexander, Sophie and Lily to this appointment.”
Mr Newman said Chief Justice de Jersey would be sworn in as the 26th Governor and formally take over from current Governor Penelope Wensley AC on July 29.
