The Honourable Justice Amelia Wheatley was somewhat relieved that she was described as “fearless” rather than “reckless” during Friday’s Federal Court of Australia ceremonial sitting in Brisbane for her official welcome.
Justice Wheatley, who was sworn in on 9 January 2025, was congratulated at the Full Court sitting by the Honourable Justice Berna Collier, who said she was confident Her Honour would serve “the Australian community with distinction and dedication”.
Friday’s ceremonial sitting.
The former Mackay articled clerk was warmly welcomed by three speakers who spoke of Justice Wheatley’s love of animals and motorbikes, and shared anecdotes about her passion for the outdoors, in particular four-wheel-driving, boating, fishing and camping.
Her Honour thanked the speakers for their “very kind and generous words” which may have included “more than a little poetic licence”.
“I did initially worry that I had accidentally been seated in the wrong position being that these words were meant for another,” she said. “Of course once we heard the story about Gunshot (a “hair-raising” creek crossing on the Telegraph Track in Cape York), I realised it was me.
“I was also grateful that the word ‘fearless’ was used not ‘reckless’. My extracurricular activities sound fantastic put in the way in which you did, and I am wondering whether I had any time at all for work. However I do assure you that I squeezed a little in.”
Queensland Law Society (QLS) President Genevieve Dee, also representing the Law Council of Australia (LCA), said Her Honour was renowned for her work ethic and early morning starts which include walking her beloved dog Merlin.
“Outside of work you love to be, well … outside,” Genevieve said. “Your love of boating, particularly getting out on the water with your family, is well known; and I believe you are also a fan of four-wheel-driving and camping.
“Your Honour plans these trips with the same eye for detail you bring to your practice of the law.
“Your Honour’s love of debate and analysis of the law probably formed early through discussions around the family dinner table with your late father – who was a solicitor – and for whose firm you worked as an articled clerk.”
Her Honour said she “fortunate” in her legal career to have “worked at nearly all of the different levels available” from articled clerk to Judge’s Associate in the Federal Court to solicitor and then barrister.
Her family moved from Melbourne to Mackay, and she was articled to her late father Lawrence W Hewitt.
“During my articles, being in a smaller, regional firm, I was fortunate to instruct and be involved with cases and barristers … in undertaking my law degree by correspondence at QUT also in my class was the now Honourable Judge Demack who was Associate at the time in the Supreme Court in Rockhampton where she travelled from,” she recalled.
“It was in discussions with Her Honour that I gained a better understanding of what was a Judge’s Associate. I couldn’t imagine a better way to learn, experience and improve my understanding of the law.
“I did not leave it to chance. So I sent letters, yes by post, to every Supreme Court, District Court and Federal Court Judge in Queensland. I wanted to be thorough. I received some lovely rejection letters.”
Her Honour received a position with the late Justice Richard Cooper and she stayed on an extended position.
“It was a fantastic opportunity. I’m a big believer in you get out of things what you put into them.”
Her work philosophy has carried through Her Honour’s diverse career. She was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court in Nauru in 2022, where she spent time hearing and determining migration matters.
Her Honour has also served on Bar Association of Queensland and LCA committees spanning migration, insolvency and restructuring, taxation (which she later chaired), professional conduct and South Pacific Legal Education.
Justice Collier welcomed judicial officers, family and
friends to the ceremony.
And in attendance yesterday was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea Sir Gibuna Gibbs Salika, which reflected on Her Honour’s commitment to the advancement of the South Pacific.
President of the Bar Association of Queensland, and representing the Australian Bar Association, Catherine Heyworth-Smith KC, said Her Honour’s work in Nauru “greatly assisted to clear a backlog of refugee appeals” and was undertaken in a “challenging environment”.
“Your courtroom was a converted shipping container in a country sitting aside the equator,” she said.
“Nevertheless Your Honour’s work was vitally important to the litigants before you, and you met those physical challenges head on with good humour.”
Her Honour also taught advocacy in the Solomon Islands. Ms Heyworth-Smith said Her Honour was not rattled by an earthquake in Honiara two years ago, which caused her judicial colleagues to evacuate the hotel and sparked a tsunami warning. Her Honour did not respond to text messages and was assumed to have slept through the ordeal.
“Perhaps they thought, as an experienced sailor, you were used to your bed lurching about at night. Your Honour’s calm and unflappable nature, and cool-headedness in the face of potential catastrophe will be a superb asset for the bench of this honourable court.”
Genevieve said Justice Wheatley was an esteemed mentor who had helped shaped the next generation of lawyers.
“Your ability – and willingness – to lead and teach by example and inclusion has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated by those lucky enough to be guided by Your Honour.”
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