Christine was appointed as a NSW Justice of the Peace on 26th June 1986 and sworn in at Wallsend District Court on 16th August 1986 and has been a member of the Northern NSW Federation of Justices of the Peace Inc. (the Federation) since 12 January 1987. After joining the Westlakes Branch in August 1987 she has held various positions within the Westlakes Branch, including publicity officer and Jnr Vice President 1991, Snr Vice President 1992, Branch President 1993 - 2009, Treasurer 2010 – 11 and Branch delegate to Federation from 1992 and is currently the Branch Secretary, having held that position since 2012.

Christine also held the position of Bulletin Editor March 1998 to March 2012 and Federation President from March 1996 to March 1999. Christine is currently the Federation Secretary, having held that position since March 1999 and she is also the Public Officer, having held that position since February 1997.

Christine is the Federation’s primary contact with the NSW Dept. Communities & Justice – Appointment Services Section and this connection has been instrumental in providing current information and updates to all the Federation members. Christine has represented the Federation at official functions on numerous occasions and has meet with the NSW Attorney General (current at the time) on several occasions.

Christine has worked with several of the Federation’s sub-committees creating tutorials, Q & A topic sheets, or ‘hands on’ practical modules to enhance the members capabilities and knowledge of the various documents that they may come across while undertaking their JP duties.

Christine first became aware of the ACJA in 2007. After much encouragement from former ACJA Registrar and President Michael Cheshire and former ACJA Deputy Registrar and President Noel Crowley, Christine made application in 2008, on behalf of the Northern NSW Federation of Justices of the Peace Inc., to become a member of the ACJA. Christine attended her first ACJA conference in 2009, in Hobart, Tasmania representing the Federation and has continued in the role of Councillor since that time.

Christine was involved with several of the early ACJA workshops discussing the roles and duties of JP’s, education and training, professional development and uniformity across the various jurisdictions, as well as member retention, constitution and policy changes, before becoming a member of the Education and Training Committee in 2015. Christine was elected to the executive as ACJA Deputy Registrar in October 2018.

Christine has seen the ACJA move in a positive direction, implementing the various changes in technology and finding new ways of improving the education of Justices of the Peace through training, ensuring that all jurisdictions benefit from sharing knowledge and experiences so that best practices are established in
providing a quality service to the general community. This has only been achieved through strong leadership and hopes that the ACJA will continue to thrive as it is in good hands under the guidance of the executive and associated dedicated committee members.