THEY have been serving the community since The Beatles ruled the pop charts and a loaf of bread cost 18 cents.
Now more than 120 justices of the peace who have clocked up 50 years of free service to the public have received commemorative certificates in a ceremony at Parliament House.
They are among nearly 350 JPs who will reach the milestone this financial year.
Describing the group as unsung hereos, Attorney-General Mark Speakman said the September 19 event was a great opportunity to thank the “tireless” volunteers who have performed their important work for most of their lives. Any 50-year JP who couldn’t attend will have their certificate delivered to them.
JPs serve as independent witnesses to documents people use for official or legal purposes. Their primary function is to witness a person making a statutory declaration or affidavit, and to certify that a copy of an original document is true and accurate.
Search for a justice of the peace in your area at www.jp.nsw.gov.au
Some facts about JPs
- Of the 347 JPs to achieve 50 years of service in 2016-17, 301 are male and 46 female.
- The youngest of the 50-year group is 71-year-old Ian Grosse from Cessnock, while the oldest is 96-year-old Eric Holliday from Port Stephens.
- The Myall Lakes electorate has 10 JPs celebrating 50 years, the most of any electorate in NSW.
- Of the 95,000 current JPs in NSW, 53 per cent are male and 47 per cent female.
- The average age of a JP is 56.
