THE Document Signing Station run at the Wonthaggi Police Station by the local JPS from across Bass Coast and South Gippsland is celebrating another wonderful milestone with one of the dedicated Justice of the Peace notching up more than 500 shifts, a remarkable effort.
This service began in 2013 and continues to thrive, and has been replicated across Victoria.
JP’s act as an independent witness of documents used for official or legal purposes. They are all committed volunteers who provide this valuable service to support their community, and they are easy to find at the Police Station in Wonthaggi, providing this service in a very friendly and professional manner, without fuss, free of charge and at a time when it is often most needed.
JP’s work shifts of four hours, Monday to Friday and have now completed over 1,900 shifts, equating to almost 8,000 hours of voluntary work. They are attending to more than 1,000 documents a month here and a further 5000 documents elsewhere across the community each year.
“Brad Proudlock JP has been a part of this small team since before 2015, and what a remarkable job he has done,” said JP John Duscher OAM, JP, FRVAHJ (Coordinator Wonthaggi DSS), “consistently working every Wednesday and filling in many times when others were not available or unwell.”
“He recently notched up his 500th shift and in that time has dealt with over 19,000 documents at the Signing Station and a further 26,000 documents elsewhere, including Aged Care facilities, Bass Coast Health and at home. That’s an incredible 45,000 documents and not one complaint about writer’s cramp! Congratulations and thank you, Brad!”
Coordinator John Duscher JP spoke on the significance of Brad’s contribution and the dedication and commitment of all the volunteers, many of whom have been on board since it began. John was joined by other JPs to celebrate Brad’s achievement.
On behalf of the Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices, John presented Brad with a well-earned, highly respected Fellowship Award and best wishes and congratulations were received from our local Member, Jordan Crugnale.
Incredibly, there are currently only 3,500 JPs servicing Victoria’s population of over seven million people, while NSW has over 75,800 and Queensland over 80,000. John has called on other local JPs to contact him to also help out on the busy roster if they can.
John also shared the wonderful contribution of Dr Terence Shannon and acknowledged his milestone of over 350 shifts, yet another measure of his great commitment to this community.
“What a terrific team we have here. Many of the JP’s travel quite a distance to do their shifts, from all parts of South Gippsland and Bass Coast.”
John also acknowledged the tremendous support from the Victoria Police members at the Station, where they are always made welcome and appreciated.
