‘We are not quitters’: Indigenous judge makes history

By NICK WILSON

The first Indigenous Australian judge in a court’s 174-year history has been sworn-in at an event attended by legal luminaries and community leaders.

Judge Rosemary Falla was appointed to the County Court of Victoria in May, becoming the first Indigenous jurist in the court’s 174-year history.

She was officially welcomed to the new role in a ceremony held in a court room within the William Street complex in Melbourne on Wednesday.

After taking an affirmation of office, Judge Falla reflected on the significance of her appointment, both personally and as a member of the community.

Rosemary Falla is the first Indigenous judge appointed to the County Court of Victoria. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

“It is critical that doors are opened, opportunities created and seized, examples set, and that we actively pay things forward” Judge Falla said.

“I’m sitting here today because of the generosity of so many, my mob are central to my success.”

Judges of the County Court lined the bench, with Judge Falla seated front-and-centre, alongside Chief Judge Amanda Chambers.

The jury box was reserved for her family, friends and community leaders, while members of the legal fraternity dotted a crowded gallery.

Addressing the event, Victorian Bar president Fiona Ryan SC said the appointment was “long overdue”.

Fiona Ryan says Rosemary Falla has carried the weight of two cultural responsibilities. (Con Chronis/AAP PHOTOS)

“For more than a decade, Your Honour has walked between two worlds and carried, as one senior former colleague put it, the weight of two cultural responsibilities,” Ms Ryan said.

“Your Honour, we are told, never experience the work as a burden.”

A proud Wotjobaluk/Wemba Wemba/Mutti Mutti woman, Judge Falla has served as a lawyer for a quarter of a century.

In another state-first, she was appointed as a Victorian Magistrate in 2013 before joining Koori Justice as the inaugural Supervising Magistrate in 2020.

Judge Falla is the daughter of late Uncle Kevin Coombs, the first Indigenous Australian to compete at the Paralympics or Olympics.

The wheelchair basketballer and Koori Court Elder competed at five Paralympics, beginning with the inaugural Rome Games in 1960.

Kevin Coombs was the first Indigenous Australian to compete at the Paralympics or Olympics. (Julian Smith/AAP PHOTOS)

Judge Falla said her father set a strong example for her to live by, allowing her to overcome early challenges in the education system.

“Teachers didn’t see the potential in us, believing we wouldn’t amount to much,” she said.

“For some of us mob, this is devastating.

“For others, it motivates us to prove we are enormously capable, and we are not quitters.”

The ceremony coincided with the final day of National Reconciliation Week and the 34th anniversary of the 1992 Mabo decision.

Reflecting on the landmark ruling, which established the principle of native title rights, Judge Falla urged her community against becoming disillusioned in the face of adversity.

“It remains critical that we all roll up our collective sleeves and take positive action,” Judge Falla said.

“I know that the hurt is real, the scars never heal, and the struggle is often lifelong.”

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