About the speaker
Judy is a retired judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. She sat for 7 years in the Family Law jurisdiction of the Court until April 2020, hearing cases involving parenting disputes, property settlements and child support issues, many of which included further issues of family violence, drug abuse and mental ill-health.
The law was Judy’s third profession.
She began her working life as a psychologist working with drug and alcohol-addicted clients and families, before fulfilling her childhood dream of being a full-time folksinger and songwriter for 16 years, during which she travelled the world playing at festivals, concert halls, folk clubs, camp firesides and political demonstrations. Judy has recorded 12 albums, and was awarded membership in the Order of Australia in 2013 for her significant contribution to folk music as a songwriter and recording artist.
Judy’s lifelong interest in people and in social justice led her to the study and practice of the law, and she was admitted to practice in 1999. She spent 6 years in private practice, and then 9 years at Victoria Legal Aid, where she was appointed as Director of Family, Youth and Children’s Law Services, before being appointed to the bench in 2013.
She is passionate about human rights – particularly those of children and of Aboriginal peoples – and intends to continue to be involved in social justice activities in her retirement.