A much-loved professional friend of mine recently ended his illustrious career because of dementia. It made me realise that the illness (in its varied forms) is not something we in the legal profession talk about much.
But we should.
When retired Family Court judge Peter Hilton died from Alzheimer’s disease over a decade ago, his wife Robyn Hilton was left not only with grief, but also with questions. What exactly had happened to the sharp, brilliant mind of the man she loved? And what could be done—if anything—to prevent others from walking the same lonely road?
She found part of her answer at the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), tucked away on the campus of the University of Queensland, where a quiet revolution in neuroscience is unfolding. “I had no idea that such a world-class research facility existed in our backyard,” Robyn told me. “It was only after Peter died that I learned of the Queensland Brain Institute and, more specifically, the Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research. It changed my life.”
For the past decade, Robyn has channelled her grief into action by hosting an annual fundraiser for QBI, to whom she has made very significant and generous donations in Peter’s memory. This year’s QBI Lexus Alzheimer’s Sunset Soirée will take place on Saturday, 26 July from 4.00pm to 7.30pm at the Officers Mess, New Farm. There will be French champagne, wine and canapés, live jazz, and, most importantly, the chance to meet researchers who are pushing the boundaries of what we know about the human brain. Once again, I have the privilege of acting as MC for the annual fundraising event, as I have done since the first of these events more than 10 years ago.
Robyn extends a heartfelt invitation to all at the Bar to come along. Learn something. Be inspired. Help make a difference.
While dementia does not discriminate, the risk of developing it increases with age and, according to research, may be exacerbated by long-term stress and cognitive strain—an almost constant experience for barristers. In fact, dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia and the leading cause of death among Australian women. An estimated 421,000 Australians are currently living with dementia, a number projected to double by 2054.
Peter Hilton, a member of the Queensland Bar before his elevation to the Family Court in 1991, experienced the onset of dementia in a way that was, according to Robyn, “slow, unpredictable, and emotionally devastating.” Peter had spoken candidly to her of the toll custody cases had taken on him—“the emotional turmoil,” he called it.
“The stress connection is my own observation,” Robyn says, “but I do think it’s real.”
A recent study by researchers at the Erasmus University Medical Centre, at Rotterdam in the Netherlands suggests that individuals with higher cognitive abilities may experience more rapid cognitive decline once dementia sets in. The research indicates that while a higher IQ may delay the onset of symptoms, it could also lead to a steeper decline once the disease progresses. This phenomenon is attributed to the concept of “cognitive reserve,” where the brain compensates for damage up to a point, after which the decline becomes more pronounced.[1]
This finding is particularly relevant for us in the legal profession, where high cognitive function is both a requirement and a hallmark of success. It underscores the importance of early detection and proactive engagement with brain health initiatives.
Luckily for us, the Queensland Brain Institute is one of the leading neuroscience research centres in the Southern Hemisphere, employing more than 400 researchers who work across disciplines to investigate brain cancer, schizophrenia, stroke, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s, and—of course—dementia.
Within QBI, the Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR) is at the forefront of efforts to understand and treat Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Around 90 researchers are dedicated to this cause. Among their most remarkable recent achievements is a non-invasive ultrasound technology that can safely and temporarily open the blood-brain barrier. In a 2023 phase one clinical trial, the technique was shown to be safe in humans—paving the way for future treatments that can deliver drugs more effectively to the brain and even help break down the infamous amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
This is not science fiction. This is happening now—here, in Queensland.
Yet the funding challenges remain immense. “Government funding for science in this country is not sufficient,” Robyn notes. “Researchers spend up to 25% of their time writing complex grant applications. I’d rather they spent that time in the lab.”
It’s often said that dementia disproportionately affects the “more intelligent among us.” That’s a myth—but it’s a telling one. Dementia doesn’t discriminate, but the stigma surrounding it often silences conversations that are long overdue.
What do we do when we suspect a colleague is no longer at their cognitive best? Robyn admits there is no easy answer. “There is no roadmap to guide you,” she says. “Feeling your way in a fog is what came to mind when I was trying to navigate this fraught time.” Gentle conversations, quiet observations, support from trusted friends and colleagues—these are the tools we have. But perhaps the best tool of all is knowledge.
If we in the legal profession can support research, foster awareness, and build empathy, we honour not only the legacy of people like Peter Hilton, but also our own future.
As barristers, we spend our lives using our minds as instruments of persuasion and reason. So, this is my invitation to you: come to the Soirée. Enjoy the wine, food, jazz and conversation.
But more than that: consider making this cause your own. Support the scientists working to prevent, slow, and even reverse the most common neurological disease of our time.
To learn more or register for the event, visit https://qbi.uq.edu.au/event/Lexussoiree2025
Donations can be made directly online, and all proceeds go toward life-changing research.
[1] https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/health-and-wellness/dementia-hits-clever-people-harder-study-finds-20250129-p5l7xr
