August 4, 2008.

The visit of His Honour Justice Michael Kirby was much anticipated by both the law students and faculty members of the University of South Australia. In the presence of Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Hoj, Foundation Dean of Law Professor Paul Fairall, academic staff, law students, and legal studies teachers and their students, Justice Kirby’s lecture explained the changes that he has seen over his thirteen years on the bench of the High Court of Australia, and conclude with his expectations for the future.

The following extract is taken from the introduction given by Tristan Moseley, President of USALSA Inc.

His Honour Justice Kirby was appointed to the High Court of Australia in February 1996. He is the nation's longest-serving High Court Justice and will be retiring next year.

The achievements so far in Justice Kirby’s career are of such a volume that I will not take up his precious time listing them. However the UNESCO prize for human Rights Education and being appointed a Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia are two acknowledgements of the impact his honor has had on the world…

…[The] universal love that law students have for Justice Kirby is not simply because of his charm and magnetic personality.

It is because Justice Kirby has arguably been the greatest force for judicial reform in Australia’s History. His commitment and determination to frame and resolve the great legal issues of the day by taking into account the purpose, justice, and contemporary need has led him to be in dissent more than any other judge in the history of the High Court. These dissents, more often than not, later become law.

As evidenced here today, Justice Kirby’s commitment to education is complete. No High Court Justice has given more back to educational institutions than His Honour.

Candidly answering questions about his judgments, Justice Kirby entertained his audience for just over an hour, before posing for photos prior to his departure. The Justice was in Adelaide to, among other things, open the newly renamed Justice Michael Kirby Chambers. Our sincerest thanks go to Vice Chancellor Professor Hoj and Foundation Dean of Law Professor Fairall, for their work in organising this event. Lastly, special thanks to His Honour Justice Michael Kirby for giving up his valuable time to share with us his experiences as a Justice on the High Court.