COBARGO’S Ray Sawtell is well known throughout the Bega Valley for his long-term association with his hometown’s local show.
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However, he has been recognised this week for another enduring service to the community.
Mr Sawtell has been a Justice of the Peace (JP) for more than 50 years.
To honour that milestone – one few people can lay claim to according to the State Government – Mr Sawtell received a letter of commendation from NSW Attorney General and Minister for Justice Brad Hazzard and a “Community Spirit” certificate from Member for Bega Andrew Constance.
In part, Mr Hazzard’s letter reads: “Such a length of time is a remarkable achievement. I would like to take this opportunity to extend to you my sincere appreciation for the significant contribution you have made to your community.”
Mr Sawtell said he felt honoured by the recognition of his 50 years.
“I consider it an honour to serve the community in some small way,” Mr Sawtell said.
“There’s always a demand for JPs and I still get quite a number of people after my service.
“I couldn’t tell you how many papers I’ve witnessed and signed over the years,” he added with a smile.
Mr Sawtell said he was invited to become a JP by then-South Coast MP Jack Beale around the time he was first elected as Cobargo AP&H Society president, in the early 1960s.
Along with the witnessing of official documents, he said he also was required to sit in on police matters in Cobargo.
“The strangest request I’d have to say was one person in particular who wanted me to write a statutory declaration for them,” Mr Sawtell said, laughing.
“I told them I can witness one and sign one, but I can’t write it for you – it has to be in your own words.”
Mr Sawtell said being a JP was a worthy responsibility and he encouraged others to consider becoming one.
JUSTICES of the Peace are people who are trusted to be honest, careful and impartial.
They are volunteers from all walks of life, appointed by the Governor of NSW for five-year terms.
The most common functions of a JP in NSW are to witness the signing of a statutory declaration, witness the signing of an affidavit, or to certify a copy of an original document is a true copy.
This independent verification may be very important to a court, a government agency or any other organisation that needs to rely on a document.
- From the NSW Government Lawlink website
