A DIRECTOR’S PERSPECTIVE

In this edition of the QJA Journal we hear from our Vice President Bruce Birtwell JP (Qual), who reflects on his own personal journey with membership of the QJA. Bruce outlines how his personal involvement in the organisation has given him great satisfaction. It has enhanced his ability to give back to the community and support his colleagues.

I was appointed as a JP by notice in the Government Gazette on 28th October 1989. My certificate of Registration was signed by the then Premier of Queensland, the Honourable Russell Cooper MLA. The Premier was my local member as I resided in Roma at the time. Eight years later, on 13 May 1997, when the legislation for Justices of the Peace changed, I upgraded to JP (Qualified). I became a member of the Queensland Justices Association on 23 January 1990. But for many years, as I moved around Queensland in my work, I merely paid my membership and didn’t participate in much else.

It was not until I came to Toowoomba in 2004 that my involvement in the association developed. Until then, apart from this quarterly Journal, I did not know what the benefits of membership meant. As a JP or Commissioner of Declarations we do the role for a number of reasons. Mostly, we wish to help provide a service to the community or our employer might pay for the training so that clients can be assisted in the workplace. I am sure a number of you out there, like me for many years, don’t fully appreciate the support that can be gained from QJA membership. Being involved with your local branch is a major area of this support. One of the functions of the branch is to keep you up to date and informed about changes in your role. It also gives you the opportunity to contribute to the development of the branch and your colleagues, and to the QJA as a whole. It provides a network for discussion and encourages you to share your experiences with fellow members. In doing so, it enhances everyone’s’ role as a JP or C.Dec.

I became the Chair of the Toowoomba Branch and since that time I have endeavoured to build the purpose of the monthly meeting as a forum for professional development. This includes regular guest speakers and in-house training using the online QJA resources. Our branch members coordinate the “JPs in the Community” services at Clifford Gardens shopping centre on Thursday nights and Saturday mornings. The branch has gone from strength to strength with increased meeting attendances and great member participation. The Toowoomba branch, under my stewardship, partnered with the neighbouring Lockyer Branch to host the 2017 QJA Annual State Conference in Toowoomba. The theme for the conference was Diversity on the Range, and, by all accounts the conference was a huge success.

Bruce (back row, far right) and the 2017 Conference volunteer team A major initiative for the branch in 2017, in line with our conference theme, was to fund and mentor several people from diverse cultural backgrounds to become JPs. This enabled them to provide support and services within their cultural communities. Our branch continues to promote diversity within the QJA membership by participating in the annual Toowoomba Multi-Cultural festival. This raises the profile of the QJA and promotes our services to these communities.

My initial involvement with the broader association was focused on planning for the 2017 conference. However, the more I was involved the greater my interest became, and I was appointed to the QJA Board in November 2015, and then in 2019 I was elected as QJA Vice President. As a Board member I have played a significant role in developing the QJA annual awards as well as the Branch development forums which bring branch executive committees together. I have also had input to the strategic development of the Association for the benefit of all members. Not everyone is going to or desire to have this level of involvement. But I believe that, as a QJA member, I have an obligation to contribute through the Board and my local QJA branch. From my perspective, branch participation brings many benefits including being able to draw on the talents and experience of members, access to the QJA website member resources, as well as access to guest presenters on a broad range of topics. It provides a network of members engaging with and providing services to the local community.

We have seen the role of JPs and C.Decs change over time and know how hard it is to keep up to date. I believe it is important that branches continue to flourish and support member professional development while at the same time engaging with our community. In this way we can be confident that we provide a consistent and professional service to our clients. I urge all fellow members to get involved with their local branch; you won’t be disappointed.