The “force from the north” was evident on the full bench and in the gallery as Her Honour Judge Josephine Willis AM was farewelled in Brisbane on Friday following her dedication to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2).
The FCFCOA Chief Justice, the Honourable Will Alstergren, said the sitting recognised and farewelled “our great colleague” and celebrated the “significant contribution she has made in her role to this court”.
Chief Justice Alstergren, who joined the sitting remotely from Melbourne, said Judge Willis had served the court diligently for almost 17 years with “dedication, skill and great integrity”.
“Your Honour leaves an indelible mark on this court and, both in the Cairns and Brisbane registries, and also nationally,” he said. “You’ve always been a great leader of our court.”
Judge Dunkley, the national case management judge, who presided over the proceedings in Brisbane, said: “Can I acknowledge Judge Willis’ leadership in taking us along a long journey of reconciliation with the Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people of this country.
“She has herself been instrumental in this court’s reconciliation program.”
Judge Willis thanked all the speakers for canvassing so much detail on her 30-year career in the law, and acknowledged the Indigenous family liaison officers in attendance.
She also welcomed regional judges who joined the court for her farewell.
“It is good to see regional appointments to the bench,” Her Honour said. “We are all, I can recall, very concerned when vacancies come up in our regional areas and isn’t it marvellous to see people appointed and to have them still sitting here with me today. It’s a real force from the north exhibition.”
Regional judges attended the farewell sitting.
Her Honour said it felt like a lifetime ago when she was first appointed to the Federal Magistrates Court in Cairns in January 2009.
“That I am still standing in 2025 is testimony to the support I have had. Generally if I was asked what a judge needs to survive life on the bench, I would say first and foremost a strong foundation of support and love provided by family and friends. I am blessed to have that support for my entire career.”
Judge Willis was previously a barrister and thanked her former Trinity Chambers colleagues for attending the ceremony – Judge Morzone, Judge Trevino and Andrew Phil KC. Justice Henry was unable to attend.
“Our association is something that has been really treasured,” she said. “I have had a long professional association with Mr Philp (former pupil master and speaker on the day) and my other chamber mates, we have lived and worked together in the legal profession in regional Far North Queensland.
“I was incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by such doyens of the law. While there are plenty of women at the bar now, that has not always been the case.”
Her Honour also shared humorous anecdotes with the gallery about the climate challenges that judges in North Queensland faced including a tsunami warning in 2007 in Cairns, cyclones which impacted regional flights, and a huge, orange dust storm in Mackay.
Queensland Law Society President Genevieve Dee, also on behalf of the Law Council of Australia, thanked Her Honour “for the outstanding contribution you have made to the administration of justice in this country, particularly here in Queensland where you have chosen to dedicate your career”.
“There will undoubtably be a lot of talk today of the legacy your Honour leaves – and I can assure you none of it is hyperbole,” Genevieve said.
“Some of the differences you have made are lighter in nature than others and I thought we would start there.
“We have Your Honour to thank for the vast take-up of brooch wearing amongst our colleagues, particularly in Cairns. The necessity of wearing a brooch while appearing in Cairns became such an urban legend that even male lawyers would wonder whether they should pin one on.
“Your launching of fashion trends did not end there. I understand that while you were a barrister your beloved – and clearly talented – mother handmade your formal collar. Suddenly handmade collars were in demand.”
The Society President said Judge Willis was not only known as a mentor but hard-working.
“Those who appeared before you in Cairns joke that it took the appearance of the flying foxes outside the court’s windows to signal to you that it was probably time to end a long day’s sitting.”
On a more serious note, Genevieve spoke of Her Honour’s commitment to social justice.
“And one area where you can be certain you have had a positive effect is First Nations justice,” she said.
“Your Honour has been a tireless champion for change; you have led by example and leave our justice system better than you found it.
“The stated reasons for the awarding of your AM sum this up; in addition to service to the law and judiciary, it was in recognition of your service to Indigenous access to justice initiatives and to cultural diversity.
“As Chair of the Indigenous Access to Justice Committee, your Honour has helped improve engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and develop and implement the Court’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
“In an article regarding the RAP’s unveiling, Reconciliation Australia Co-Chair, Dr Tom Calma AO said: ‘The Federal Circuit Court has taken the time to widely consult with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and legal services in a way that I do not believe has ever happened before and the result is a document that will challenge every other court in the land to emulate it.’
“Your Honour has been a proponent of programs such as the Specialist Indigenous Lists, and stepped up to make our laws and judiciary more culturally aware and appropriate.
“You have led the charge to achieve changes that will be felt long after your retirement.”
Judge Dunkley praised the Cairns registry.
In summing up, Judge Dunkley said Her Honour had always rolled up her sleeves and ensured “Cairns punched well above its weight”.
“She has been an inspiration to many, and I thank her,” he said.
Chief Justice Alstergren said many people “greatly admired” Judge Willis and the way she had “gone about her job as a judge”.
“You are one of those extraordinary people who understand the longevity of being a judge and the fact we are all a small part of a very large system of justice,” His Honour said.
“And you’ve always understood what a great honour it is to be a judge.
“With the extraordinary work you’ve done in Cairns, the extraordinary work you’ve done in Far North Queensland or with the extraordinary work you’ve done with Indigenous people, making them feel like we have a fair and reasonable system, and going beyond what would normally be expected to serve the people of Queensland and the people of Australia, can I just finish by saying on behalf of all your colleagues we are extremely proud of you and proud of serving with you on this bench.”
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