Mr Shade said he became a Justice of the Peace, JP, after he was appointed to lead Arapiles Shire in 1982.
“We were in a drought and farmers had to shoot their sheep, but they needed to make claims to government and it had to be signed off by a JP, so I put my hand up to do it as Natimuk needed a JP,” he said.
Mr Shade said his work as a JP also led him to become a bail justice, when he later worked in Warracknabeal and Horsham.
He served in the voluntary role as bail justice up until the age of 72.
Mr Gersch said he first began as a JP because Nhill needed one at the time.
“It’s no different to being a volunteer with the fire brigade or the Lions or Rotary – it’s a service to the community,” he said.
“I’ve been in business most of my life and I’ve always been available because we were in a hotel. We had farm supplies and then a motel and I guess I’ve always been available and you know people here.”
Mr Gersch said a highlight of being a JP was helping the Karen community.
“When the Karen people’s numbers increased in Nhill – because a lot of them came when they got out of the camps, they didn’t have proper names and there was a power of paperwork that had to be done,” he said.
“People like Margaret and John Millington and Nhill Neighbourhood House did a lot of work.
“I’d go up and there would be eight or 10 to organise, and I would sign all the papers for them, enabling them to complete the paperwork to just qualify to be here in Australia.”
The entire April 24, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
The entire April, 24, 2024 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!
