BRANCH WORKSHOPS
Brisbane North Branch Workshop (19 June) After having to cancel the branch’s traditional June Professional Day in 2020 due to the pandemic, this year we were lucky enough to be able to squeeze it in between restrictions and lockdowns. Our member, Robert van Beest and his wife Pieta were gracious enough to allow us the use of the beautiful facilities at the Stafford Lakes Tricare Retirement Complex. Our topics for the day were ‘Attending Police Interviews of a Juvenile’ and ‘Advance Care Planning’. Detective Michelle Morgan spoke to the group about the relevant laws and procedures when dealing with minors and the role of the JP. Many of our members had not been involved in this service previously and were keen to understand what was required of them and how they could get involved. After Detective Morgan spoke, JPs who had actually attended interviews spoke about what to expect from a practical point of view, including arriving at the police station, how to treat the juvenile, what to do during the interview and even where and how to arrange parking when attending a large city station. Members who attend the conference this year might remember the session presented by Leanne Clemesha from Advance Care Planning (ACP), a section of the Qld Dept of Health. Leanne made herself available to speak to us about the ACP and the services they provide where people can lodge their enduring documents. The documents are digitised and uploaded into an online record that can be accessed by hospitals and health providers. Before documents can be scanned and uploaded the ACP staff must check for accuracy and completeness and that they have been witnessed correctly. Leanne was able to point out the most common errors made during the witnessing process and how important it is for our clients that we get it right.
QJA Quarterly
The final session of the day was an Open Forum. This is a very popular part of our professional development days as it allows JPs and C/Decs to raise issues they have encountered during their duties or to simply ask a question about our work. The Brisbane North committee decided last year not to close all our sites over the 2020 Christmas break. Members were canvassed for volunteers willing to work and we were able to open seven sites. We found that, as the Courts, Chermside and Toombul sites were all closed we saw many grateful clients, some who have travelled quite a distance to use our service. We will be opening again this holiday break again if possible. At the branch AGM this July we elected a new Chairman, as Stewart Purdie announced he would not be seeking re-election this year. Stewart has been in the position for over 6 years and has been an experienced and steady pair of hands for the Brisbane North branch. In the QJA Awards this year, he was recognised for long service on branch committees, as was our newly elected Chair, Peter Callaghan, also receiving an award for many years of service on various committees for the branch. Judith McGarry Branch Secretary
Hornibrook Branch Workshop (4th September) Well, this story started a few months ago, when our Branch Committee visualized holding a Workshop for QJA members, Justices of the Peace and Commissioners of Declaration, we held a positive and enthusiastic view to the challenge and possibility of Covid 19 lockdowns and restrictions. Professional development workshops for Justices of the Peace and Commissioners of Declaration improves our knowledge, procedures, enhances and promotes a culture of professional growth as individuals, supporting our witnessing process for our clients’ documents.
Spring 2021| 22
