I am pleased to welcome you to this 99th edition of Hearsay, and hope that, whenever or wherever you read this, you have made it safely through or recovered from ex-tropical cyclone Alfred. My thoughts are particularly with our members on the Gold Coast and their families, where the cyclonic weather was at its worst. We understand that the lists at the Southport Courthouse are starting to proceed again and we hope that our members are able to resume their normal practices in what is one of the busiest regional courts at the best of times.

This edition comes after another successful, sold-out Annual Conference, held on 28 February 2025 and 1 March 2025. My thanks to all those who presented, attended, and organised the conference. My particular thanks to the new chairs of the Annual Conference Committee, Dominic O’Sullivan KC and Christian Jennings KC, and the staff of the Association who assisted in preparing for the conference and ensured its smooth running. Photos from the conference will be published in our next edition.

This edition’s Feature Article is a compendium of contributions on cross-examination from many silk who have spent countless hours on their feet. Their commentary on the art of cross-examination in ‘Words from the Past’ shows that it holds true today.

You will also find an excerpt from an interview with Daniel Kalderimis KC of the New Zealand Bar, who speaks about how ‘lawyer brain’ impacted his mental health, taking a tunnel-visioned approach to his own life. Daniel’s article serves as a reminder to take stock of our own health and wellbeing.

And on the subject of health and wellbeing, now is the time to book your flu vaccination at the Bar Association’s offices. Appointments remain available from 25 March to 4 April 2025. You didn’t just survive a not-cyclone to then spend a couple of weeks languishing at home with the flu.

My thanks to the Editors, Richard Douglas KC and John Meredith, and their deputy editors, for preparing this issue, and look forward to however Richard and John raise the bat in the next, century edition.

I hope you enjoy reading this edition of Hearsay.

Cate Heyworth-Smith KCPresident

Welcome to Issue 98 of Hearsay, the last for this year, and my first as President.

With the close of 2024 comes the opportunity for a break and for time with family and friends. While there is always more work to be done – new cases to read, pleadings to be settled and proceedings to be commenced – I hope that you manage to find time away from your practice this summer. 

In this edition, you will find reproductions of speeches given by Damien O’Brien KC and Rob Anderson KC at the recent Bar Dinner, as well as photos of the event which is unquestionably one of the highlights on the Association’s calendar.

I also encourage you to read Richard Douglas KC’s article ‘Barrister Cyber Risk’, which addresses crucial cyber security issues for barristers and considers methods to ensure the safety of confidential client data. As Richard points out, adequate cyber security for barristers is necessary to protect a barrister’s practice. Cyber security is an ongoing focus of the Bar Council, and will be a key area for discussion at the 2025 Annual Conference from 28 February to 1 March 2025.

In ‘Reviews and the Arts’, you will find evidence of Richard’s admiration for a certain New York-based pop star (unsurprising, for the father of four daughters, but also uniquely Richard).

My thanks to Richard and all of the Editorial team for their efforts compiling another edition which is practical, entertaining and wide-ranging.

I would also like to express my thanks to Damien O’Brien KC for his service to the Association as President, a role he performed with unfailing courtesy, thoughtfulness, and diligence in both his decision-making and support of members.

I hope that you find a comfortable place to read this edition over the Christmas period, and to relax and recuperate after a long year, perhaps someplace like the featured artwork. May you have a safe and enjoyable Christmas and New Year, returning refreshed and focussed for what is shaping up to be a splendid 2025.

Cate Heyworth-Smith KCPresident