“Bullying – What is it? Where does it happen? What effects does it have? How to deal with it,” This was the theme of this year’s Sunshine Coast Bar Conference. The local Bar, esteemed members of the Judiciary, and distinguished visitors from across the state came together to make it a truly remarkable event.

This year’s theme cast a spotlight on the often-overlooked shadows of the legal profession. Judge Cash explored whether judicial bullying was ‘the last of the legal bloodsports?’. His since published paper, (link here – Judicial bullying: the last of the legal bloodsports? (sclqld.org.au), offered a remarkable insight into the world of courtroom behaviour, and is an indispensable read for anyone in the field.

The keynote speaker, Stephen Whybrow SC, a leader of the ACT Bar, stirred the audience with his impactful presentation. He eloquently navigated through the complexities of his recent work, including representing Bruce Lehrmann amid allegations by Brittany Higgins. Who is the bullied, and who was the perpetrator? It depends who you ask. Mr Whybrow also courageously shared his own experiences of online attacks, dispelling myths and highlighting the importance of the presumption of innocence, a critical cornerstone of justice.

Judge Michael Byrne KC, Deputy Chief Magistrate Stephen Courtney and Simon Lewis grappled with ethical dilemmas that left attendees pondering. Their presentation led to discussion around the amendment to the Criminal Code 1899 (Qld) regarding sexual offending, a crucial and timely topic.

Workplace bullying was explored by the dynamic duo of Melissa Cullen and Angela Tondelstrand. Their captivating insights set the tone for the day.

Colonel Jens-Straight took the stage with a riveting talk, shedding light on the fascinating world of the Inspector General of the Australian Defence Force. His narrative added a touch of military precision to the event.

The event took a turn towards the arts as Kate Hanley Corley, a Melbourne comedian who faced a public backlash, shared her heart-rending experience of online bullying. Her story brought an emotional and relatable element to the conference.

In a heart-warming conclusion, John Lee, a dedicated supporter of the Sunshine Coast Bar Association, was recognised for his unwavering commitment by being awarded a well-deserved life membership. His tireless efforts in organising the conference for many years were greatly appreciated.

The Sunshine Coast Bar Conference of 2023 was a riveting, thought-provoking, and heartfelt gathering of minds.

John Lee presented with life membership by Ross McSwan

The Sunshine Coast Bar is thriving, as is the region. The Sunshine Coast is one of the fastest growing areas in Australia, with the Sunshine Coast Regional Council predicting that our population will grow from approximately 350,000 people, to over half a million people within the space of 20 years. That is not surprising given our beautiful beaches and lovely hinterland areas.

It would be nice to think that the Sunshine Coast Bar spends much of its days surfing, before washing off the sand and popping over to court. Unfortunately, that is not the case, although we do boast a former Australian Champion Lifesaver, Michael White and have many members who are heavily involved in surf lifesaving.

Maroochydore hosts a District Court with two resident Judges. The Federal Circuit and Family Court regularly circuits through the Maroochydore Courthouse. We have a number of resident Magistrates sitting at Maroochydore, Caloundra, Nambour and Noosa.

The Bar Association records show there are 19 barristers currently with their primary chambers on the Sunshine Coast, but many more have door tenancies and/or live at the Sunshine Coast. The primary Chambers on the Sunshine Coast are:-

• Sunshine Coast Barristers Chambers, which was founded by John Parker, who went onto the Magistracy and is now retired. John was a criminal counsel and was known for his mantra “nobody talks – everybody walks”. Stephen Courtney (famous for entreating solicitors whenever asked for tips on practice, to “brief early and brief often”), joined John in chambers. He also later went on to join the Magistracy; and was recently sworn in as the Deputy Chief Magistrate of Queensland;
• The Inns of Court of Maroochydore was established by Andrew Wallace, who later left the bar for the political arena; and is now the Federal Member for Fisher and holds the Post of Deputy Chair of Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security. His former Chamber-mates include Andrew Sinclair, who is a sitting Magistrate in Kingaroy, David James who was recently appointed to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal; and Clare Stewart, Mayor of Noosa;
• The Inns of Court of Noosa, technically outside the Sunshine Coast Council City District following the Noosa Council de-amalgamation in 2013 (we don’t take that personally),  was established by Simon Gerber.

Glen Garrick OAM was one of the early leaders of the Bar and established Mason Chambers in the 1990s. His former Chamber-mates include Steve Middleton, now a Judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court, and Bruce Thiele, who has gone on to become a Senior Judicial Registrar of that Court. Glen, when his business interests permit, continues to practice as a mediator.

I acknowledge our local Crown Law contingent also.

The legal practitioners on the Sunshine Coast are a social and collegiate bunch, and many of the local Bar volunteer with the Suncoast Community Legal Service and regularly participate in functions with the solicitors.

There is a broad range of expertise at the Sunshine Coast Bar, incorporating most areas of legal practice.  

The Sunshine Coast Bar hosts a yearly Bar Conference, which is well-attended by the local Bar and many visitors from throughout Queensland. We had the pleasure in 2021 to host many speakers on the theme Indigenous Culture and the Law. Judge Jarro participated and gave a welcome to country. There was fascinating discussion around the involvement of elders in criminal justice with Jacoba Brasch QC (as she then was) and the ‘Stolen Wages’ cases being run by Joshua Creamer. John Lee is to be commended for making the conference happen. A link to the papers will be supplied.

The Conference topic is particularly interesting, given that the Gubbi Gubbi peoples have lived in the Sunshine Coast region for tens of thousands of years, and it is understood that the population in the Mooloolaba/ Maroochydore area was around 1,500 people when first contact was made with Europeans. One of the first documented interactions between the Europeans and the Gubbi Gubbi people was in 1823, when 3 shipwrecked convicts were taken in, fed and housed by local Indigenous people at the mouth of the Mooloolaba River. There were at one time cave paintings at Point Cartwright in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, but apparently, they are no longer visible. It is important to remember this history.

The Sunshine Coast Bar looks forward to welcoming members of the Bar at our next Annual Conference, which will not be held in 2022, but will go likely go ahead on the Saturday of the Brisbane Show Day holiday in 2023.

Please see the Conference Program for the 2021 Sunshine Coast Conference and papers linked here.