Empowering people one signature at a time

BECOMING a Justice of the Peace came as second nature for Ballarat’s Wayne Jones.

Mr Jones and his fellow JPs are called on to witness and sign a wide range of official documents, sometimes helping people who are dealing with particularly tough life moments at a crucial time, bringing some important peace of mind for them in the process.

The sort of vital witnessing services he provides as a JP typically relate to a wide variety of official and legal documents including affidavits and statutory declarations, and includes certifying true copies of documents like birth certificates and driver’s licences.

Brought up all his life to be community-minded, Mr Jones had worked as a law enforcement officer, or senior transit patrol officer, before going into the field of personal care work in the aged and disabilities sector.

Then followed a 16-year stint as a teacher’s aide at a specialist school before he retired from the workforce, putting his background life experience to good use when he became a JP in 2021.

“I’ve always been involved in volunteer work,” he said.

That involvement is reflected in the sort of awards he’s collected along the way, including the Above and Beyond Award (2010) when he was recognised by Prime Minister Julia Gillard for exceptional dedication to community service, to name but one.

He is now loving his role as the JP coordinator at three local document signing stations, working with a group of nine other JPs providing their vital services at the Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre in Sebastopol, Wendouree Neighbourhood Centre at Holly Grove in Wendouree, and at the Inter Club Drop-In Centre in Ballarat Central.

“I do on an average of anywhere between 30 to 60 hours a month at the three different locations,” Mr Jones said.

“I’ve now done over 1300 sessions and I work with a team of other JPs who do just as much work as I do.

“I find a lot of people do prefer to go to a neighbourhood centre rather than a police station.”

Mr Jones said that right now more JPs would be welcome to join the group that he serves across the three local locations.

“Anyone over the age of 18 can become a JP,” he said.

“They just have to contact the Justice Department of Victoria. I’m looking for more JPs for our area, for our three operation centres.”

To become a JP it is necessary to complete a short course, but not necessary to have any particular background legal experience.

“As long as they have a kind heart, and are happy to help the community and support people, basically.

“You don’t have to be lawyer, just someone with basic knowledge, and you’re not left alone. We have a buddy system where you first work with one of us until you’re comfortable on your own.”