Several months after my return to Australia in 2004 I was appointed as a New South Wales Magistrate in early 2005. I presided in the Local Court for three years followed by twelve years in the Children’s Court. I was based at the Port Kembla Children’s Court for nine years, which was the headquarters of the Illawarra circuit (also servicing courts in Nowra and Sutherland). I spent the remaining years presiding at the Campbelltown Children’s Court up until my retirement in 2019.
In 2000, while working at the ICTY, I was honoured to be made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for my service to International Humanitarian law, particularly in the area of war crimes investigations. I was in The Hague when the announcement was made in January. Sadly a few days after Australia Day my father suffered what would turn out to be a fatal stroke. As soon as I heard that news I flew back to Sydney and arrived in time to visit my father before he died. I will never forget the image before me when I approached his hospital bed – he looked at me, proudly holding the newspaper clipping announcing my Order of Australia award. He died a proud man!