Late Family Court Judge Amanda Coulthard was remembered as a skilled advocate, a patient teacher and a warm colleague, at a ceremonial sitting in Brisbane on Friday.
The sitting to honour the life and service of Her Honour, who passed away in June, was held at Harry Gibbs Commonwealth Law Courts.
Those attending included judicial officers from the High Court to the Magistrates Court, and representatives from various legal organisations, including the Law Council of Australia and the Australian Bar Association.
Speakers described her as articulate, precise and persuasive, and told of her love of ballet, opera, cats and Italy.
Gympie-raised Judge Coulthard was admitted in 1982, working for several firms before being called to the bar in 2010. She was appointed to the Brisbane registry of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) in August 2024, and officially welcomed a month later.
Law Council of Australia and Queensland Law Society representative Elizabeth Shearer said it was clear that Judge Coulthard had made a lasting difference throughout her career and her life.
“Her friends and family, the people who appeared before her, her clients when she was in practice, the legal profession she supported so strongly, and indeed, the nation, through her contribution to this court, have all been touched and left better because of Her Honour,” Ms Shearer said.
She said Judge Coulthard’s modesty belied the wholehearted approach she took to the law.
“Her Honour’s time on the bench, while short, was notable for her characteristic hard work and her facility in dealing with complex issues where the stakes were high for those appearing before her,” she said.
“She discharged her judicial duties with distinction and profound humanity.
“We admire her achievement, we celebrate her exceptional personal qualities that drove her generous contribution to the profession and to the community, and we mourn her loss.”
Bond University Law Professor William van Caenegem said during Judge Coulthard’s time teaching at the university between 1991 to 2021, she became recognised for her connection to practice.
“Through Amanda’s tuition, students caught a glimpse, and sometimes perhaps more like an unvarnished outfall, of what life in practice is really like,” Professor van Caenegem said.
“That means they learned about real-life clients, events and problems, and not just from artificial and anodyne fact scenarios.
“When all is said and done, the most helpful thing for students is somebody who has the gift of explaining the law with clarity and precision, and who is willing to give of their time.
“These qualities characterised Amanda’s approach to teaching.”
Family Court Chief Justice Will Alstergren said to lose a colleague in office was a rare and devastating event.
“Her presence shall endure in our corridors, both felt and seen where her portrait remains as a constant reminder of the infectious spirit of Judge Coulthard,” Chief Justice Will Alstergren said.
“Amanda faced illness with the same determination, dignity and resilience that categorised every aspect of her professional life.
“For many of us, the news of her passing came as a profound shock. Even now it remains difficult to reconcile the loss with a generous and engaging person we remember so well and had the privilege of working alongside.
“What colleagues speak of most often when they remember Amanda is not a particular professional accomplishment, as important as those things are, they speak about her warmth, they speak about her kindness, they speak about her good humour, and her ability to make others feel so very welcome.”
Chief Justice Will Alstergren said Judge Coulthard took a genuine interest in the lives and wellbeing of those around her.
“Her example continues to endure. It endures in the many students and practitioners she influenced throughout her career. It endures in the memories of colleagues who witnessed her integrity, generosity and grace,” he said.
The ceremonial sitting, which was livestreamed, was followed by a “Celebration of Life” at the Transcontinental Hotel.
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