Having a diverse mix of public notaries is one of the drivers behind the new notary education program heading north to Cairns in September.
This year, the Office and Practice of a Notary Microcredential is being delivered in person in Brisbane and at Palm Cove by Bond University in partnership with the Society of Notaries Queensland.
The course is now a prerequisite for all new notaries.
Former President of the Society of Notaries Queensland, Margot de Groot AM, said the society encouraged a mix of practitioners from regional areas and South-East Queensland.
“Historically we have had a lot of informal education sessions,” Margot said. “But we’ve never had a dedicated program which is different from other states in Australia where they have had a dedicated education program for many years.
“So it was well overdue, and something we wanted to combine with the Bond University to achieve.”
Current President Myles Murphy, who has completed the course, said the structured education process “was just amazing” and “put all sorts of things into context” and gave a “deeper understanding of why and how”.
Margot said there was a requirement to deliver the course in person, so two venues – Brisbane and Palm Cove – had been chosen.
Margot de Groot urged practitioners to register.
“We wanted to take it to the regions. We try to keep the program small so that it is very personal and people have the chance to ask questions,” she said.
“There is a minimum of 10 students and a maximum of 25 that we want to see registered for the program.
“For a qualified notary, I agree with Myles that it really fills in the blanks or parts that perhaps you have not been really aware of or have a proper understanding about.
“It also has a strong collegiate benefit because notaries are quite alone in their tasks. And we are a state, we are very widespread, so it brings the notaries together, often for the first time, and they can have ongoing relationship and support each other.
“And for aspiring notaries it is now pre-requisite.”
The notarial education program is being offered this year at Bond University’s premises in Brisbane (2-3 August) and at a resort location in Palm Cove (6-7 September).
Registrations are being encouraged and accessible via the university’s website. If the minimum registration number (10) for the program at Palm Cove is not reached by 1 July, it will be cancelled so you are encouraged to register as soon as possible.
The registration fee for the program at either Brisbane or Palm Cove is the same – $2990. Registrants who complete the program are able to claim 12 CPD points.
“There are a number of notaries or aspiring notaries in central and North Queensland, so the council of the Society of Notaries considered it would be beneficial to offer the program at Palm Cove to benefit them or to provide an alternate venue to notaries/aspiring notaries in South-East Queensland who may like to travel north,” Margot said.
Nick James, Dean of Bond University’s Faculty of Law, said lawyers could enhance their practice by becoming a notary and also expand their range of service offering and better serve their clients.
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