John Maxwell Scott – 11 June 1943 to 12 August 2024
John was born in Townsville on 11 June, 1943, and passed in Ingham on 12 August, 2024. John had practised in law for more than 55 years.
John’s career in law started in 1962 at 17 and a half years of age when he commenced Articles of Clerkship with Roberts, Leu & North under Senior Partner Frank North. He would later pass the bar and become a qualified solicitor on 14 December 1966.
In 1967 John acquired Mr Hopkins half-share of the practice Hopkins & Dwyer Lawyers in Ingham. In January 1975, Mr Dwyer passed away suddenly, and from January 1976, John became the sole owner of the business and changed the name to John M Scott Solicitor which it remained for the following 48 years.
John had a number of solicitors come and work for him on and off for a quite a few years but for the most part he worked as a sole practitioner.
John had a strong connection with many local families in the district. He worked tirelessly to assist his clients and the Ingham community.
On 16 December 2016 to John’s surprise and jubilation, the Queensland Law Society bestowed upon him Honorary Membership for recognition of 50 years’ service as a solicitor, but he wasn’t quite ready to hang up his boots yet and continued practising until 30 June 2022.
Besides John’s career in law, during his life his faith held him stead. He was a regular faithful communicant member of the Ingham Parish and Tully Parish of the Anglican Church since 1976.
John sat on the School Council of the Cathedral School from 1980 to 1986 and also represented the School at the National Conferences in 1983 and 1984.
In 1999 John was nominated and elected by the clergy at the annual Synod, as a Lay Canon of St James Cathedral Townsville in recognition of his service to the Diocese and the Anglican Church until he retired from the role in 2008.
John sat on the School Board of Gilroy Santa Maria College from 2009 to 2014.
He was an active member of the Apex Club from 1967 to 1975, Chairman of the Ingham Branch of the Queensland Cancer Fund from 1974 to 1976, member of the Rotary Club from 1985 to 2005 including Club President in 1999 and 2000.
In 1987 John became a member of the Management Committee of Ingham Blue Nursing Service (now known as Bluecare) and held this position for 10 years continuously and during this time became the Fund-Raising Chairman raising essential funds for the constructions and establishment of Bluehaven Lodge.
During John’s time in Ingham, he acted as the Honorary Solicitor for a number of sporting clubs and associations.
With a little persuasion from others, he became a member of the Ingham Bowls Club, and in 1999, he was made an Honorary Life Member of the club.
John did indeed accomplish so much in his lifetime. He gave so freely to help many and has definitely left a lasting and positive imprint on the many lives that he touched in both his career in law and his community service.
He will be sadly missed.
Tribute written by Jayson Waldon, Principal at Keir Steele Waldon Lawyers
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