Justice William Charles Crockett AO - Victorian Bar

ObituaryJustice William Charles Crockett AOEulogy for the Honourable WilliamCharles Crockett AO, delivered onThursday, 15 February 2007, by theHonourable Allan W. McDonald.THAT which I wish to say this afternoonis in honour of the HonourableWilliam Charles Crockett AO, whowas born on 16 April 1924 and died on 6February 2007, aged 82 years.Although during his life, Bill Crockett’swork involved him being seen in the publicarena in the application and the administrationof the law, he was a private man.He was proud of his work and his achievements,however he was a modest man. Hewas a wise man, an intellectual disciplinarian,a man who understood people: acompassionate man.On a number of occasions when I havesat in the pews of a church listening to aeulogy being delivered I have wondered ifin some way it is directed to the “Keeperof the Gate” to assist in the gaining ofentry for the deceased. That is not mypurpose. If Bill Crockett has elected tocross the “River” and I believe that hewould probably have made that election,and if he is still outside the “Gate” and Ibelieve that would not be the case I wouldnot dare to interrupt that which is beingsaid by one of the most articulate persuasiveand skilled advocates of the CommonLaw of Australia.Bill Crockett was the only child ofRussell and Winnie Crockett. Russelluntil 1929 conducted a men’s clothingshop in Horsham, but with the onset ofthe depression the business was lost. Thefamily moved to Williamstown where, atthe age of four, Crockett commencedhis education at the Williamstown StateSchool.The family life of the Crocketts wasa very frugal life. Bill’s mother had greatambitions for her son. She found work ina cake shop and earned sufficient moneyto send Bill, as a boarder, to The GeelongCollege for the last two years of his secondaryeducation.In 1939 and 1940 Crockett attendedthat school. In 1939 he won the U16 athleticchampionship. It should be notedthat in 1940 there were two other studentsat The Geelong College who laterjoined Bill on the Bench of the SupremeCourt of Victoria, Richard Fullagar andBarry Beach.I should add a footnote: when I joined20Justice William Charles Crockett AO.the Supreme Court in 1988 Crockettwas very proud of the fact that four oldGeelong Collegians were on the SupremeCourt Bench together. He insisted that thefour of us have a photograph taken in fullceremonial robes for the school archives.Having matriculated, and aged 16,Crockett commenced a law courseat Melbourne University. After beingawarded a number of exhibitions alongthe way he completed his Bachelor ofLaws degree in 1944, being awarded theSupreme Court Prize. He sat honoursexams in 1945 and attained the degreeof Master of Laws. Later in his life theUniversities of Melbourne and Monasheach conferred on Crockett the honorarydegree of Doctor of Laws.In the citation which was read on theoccasion of the conferring of that honorarydegree by the University of Melbourneit was said, inter alia, “It would be true tosay that his Honour has a been a modelSupreme Court Judge both at the triallevel and as an appellate Judge. He isquick, courteous and more often thanmost, correct.”On 10 April 1945 Bill joined the navyand then discharged on 28 November1946. He served as an able seaman onthe HMAS Barwon. On being dischargedCrockett returned to the law. He becamean articled law clerk to Stuart Brown inHorsham, living in a room at the RoyalHotel. On admission to practice on 1March 1948 the Order recites his addressas the Royal Hotel, Horsham, much to thedispleasure of his mother.Straight after being admitted topractice Crockett signed the Bar Roll.