John Toohey
1912-1960
Information on this page is provided for research purposes
only.
Current copyright holder information is attached
to each full sized image.
For information on reproducing any of the text or images
please see the Copyright
page.
John Toohey by
Vivian Hill
Text copyright held by Vivian Hill. For more information see the
Copyright
page
Just as apprentices working in the railways workshops were able to become
qualified fitters and turners while in government employ, at the time John
Toohey joined the Public Service, clerks working in the court system were
given opportunities and encouragement to obtain some legal qualifications.
The first step to appointment as a magistrate was to study and pass exams
set internally for the role of Clerk of Courts and then to pass 6 nominated
law subjects at Melbourne University. In order to avoid suggestions
of favouritism or political influence, an appointment as a Police Magistrate
(as they were then called), was restricted to public servants of the Administrative
Division and awarded according to the seniority of Clerks of Courts in
terms of length of time as a public servant. Qualifications, such
as the full law degree, or extra ability, such as John Toohey had, were
not relevant. Vacancies only occurred when a current holder of the
position retired at 65. John Toohey could see a long road ahead of
him. He left the security of the Public Service and took the risk
of private enterprise with D.P.F. O'Keeffe & Co.
Arrangement of material
The list below describes material held in the John Toohey archive box, which is located at 340.099452
Toohey Hil/Jto on the shelves in
the Geelong Lawyers' Collection within the Special Collection at the Waterfront
campus. The material has been arranged in date order.
Additional note:
[Top of page]
| 
