April 7, 2025
Fourteen Justices of the Peace from the South Burnett and Somerset regional council areas were recognised for their long service to the community in a small ceremony in Kingaroy on Friday.
Attorney-General and Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington joined with Director and Registrar of the JP Branch Damien Mealey to present the certificates for 40, 50 or 60 years’ service as a JP.
“It is wonderful to be here to recognise so many wonderful people,” Mr Mealey said.
Mrs Frecklington said she wanted to say “thank you” to all the JPs and Commissioners of Declarations (CDec) in the South Burnett for the incredible work they do as volunteers.
She said there were actually 837 JPs and CDecs in the Nanango Electorate, and across Queensland there were 80,000.
“Amongst you here today there are 820 years of work that you have put back to our community,” Mrs Frecklington said.
After the awards ceremony, attendees enjoyed a morning tea scones prepared by the Kingaroy QCWA before settling down for a professional development workshop.
* * *
Certificates were presented during the morning to:
40 Years
Owen Blamires
Kris Burrows
Dennis Cotter
Daniel Dwyer
Geoffrey Griffith
Shelagh Jones
Maurice Walters
Keith Watson
50 Years
Trevor Hess
Trevor Kerle
Neil Maller
John Selwood
60 Years
Nelson Dimond
Robert Bougoure
NB. Many of these recipients have actually served more years than their milestone certificates revealed.
Footnote: If the name “Damien Mealey” rings a few bells, Mr Mealey is also well-known as a cricket umpire and chair of Cricket Australia’s umpire selection panel.
 |
 |
