The Bowen Supreme Court will mark an important milestone this year and North Queensland practitioners are encouraged to take part in this historic day.
Monday, 21 October, will mark 150 years since the Bowen Supreme Court was opened by Justice Edmund Sheppard.
He was the fourth Supreme Court Judge to be appointed and the first northern judge, then based at Bowen.
The Supreme Court will hold a ceremonial sitting at the Bowen Courthouse on 21 October to be hosted by Chief Justice Bowskill, to mark this significant milestone.
Her Honour invites all practitioners, particularly those who practice in Bowen or surrounding areas such as Townsville and Mackay, to attend and join the ceremony.
According to the State Library of Queensland, the Bowen Court House was built to house not only the Northern Supreme Court, but the Bowen Post Office and government offices.
“The Bowen Court House is important in demonstrating the early prominence of Bowen, being considerably more grand than other early courts at Townsville and Charters Towers.
“As the first Supreme Court outside Brisbane, it also illustrates the way in which a legal system was established and government services provided in the developing north of the colony. The inclusion of a second function as a Post Office indicates both the need for economy and the importance given to the role of communications services.
“While the Northern Supreme Court has since moved to Townsville, Bowen Court House continues to function as a District and Magistrate’s Court.
“The building has undergone some minor additions and alterations but has remained largely unchanged since construction.”
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