Liam McNally
A group of Justices of the Peace (JP’s) are seeking active and retired JP’s from the Melton and Moorabool shires to form a new branch of the Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices (RVAHJ).
Anne Birchenough volunteers as a JP at the Melton and Moorabool police stations, she estimated that there are around 60 active JP’s in Melton alone, but only around seven of them are currently volunteering at the Melton Police station.
Ms Birchenough said she wants to help connect JP’s and form a community.
“Melton shire has had a big influx of JP’s coming in, we as a group are trying to form a branch where we can provide training and assistance to other JP’s out there, but we also want to bring in the knowledge of retired JP’s, because they hold a wealth of knowledge,” she said.
“As a collective group we have a lot to offer, but its a case of being able to contact everyone.”
Ms Birchenough said they would also welcome any newcomers thinking about becoming a JP.
A Justice of the Peace is a volunteer who is trained over about six months to be able to act as an objective witness to documents used for official or legal services.
They are sworn in through the courts and can legally sign documents including statutory declarations, and affidavits.
Ms Birchenough said she gets “a lot of enjoyment” from being able to “give back to the community” in her role.
She said any JP’s who would like to contact her about joining the new RVAHJ branch should contact her by phone.
Details: Anne Birchenough 0472 561 569
