A life in Commonwealth cars is not a good look

Scene beside the lake ... Michael Kirby bids adieu to the Last Chance Saloon ... A solemn occasion filled with the great and the good ... Taxi driver's failure to lament ... From Justinian's Archive, February 2, 2009 

The High Court doesn't do farewells - but Michael Kirby does

Wish me good luck as you wave me goodbye. Kirbs says hoo-roo to the High Court. After more than 30 years in various judicial positions this remarkable man says farewell to the judging caper.  

Justice Michael Kirby cut a lonely figure at the ceremony to mark his farewell from the High Court today (Mon. Feb. 2, 2009). 

The attendant announced to a packed number one court: 

"A farewell for the Hon Justice Michael Kirby, God save The Queen." 

A well varnished Kirbs adorned the bench to receive wave after wave of commendation from his nominated well-wishers. 

The other members of the High Court were conspicuously absent. Their non-attendance said loudly that this was not an official High Court affair. This was a private matter arranged by Justice Kirby to bid au revoir to himself. 

A lot of somebodies and quite a few others were in attendance. 

Soon-to-be High Court Justice Bell was there looking snappy in a brown pin striped suit. Justice McHugh and his consort beamed as though having a day at the races. 

Solicitors General by the bus load craned their necks to see who was looking at them. (Bloody) Mary Gaudron waved her handbag. David (Jacko) Jackson hauled himself to Canberra because he would never miss an event with Michael Kirby as the centrepiece. 

Malcolm Turnbull strutted in like a school prefect looking for someone to whom a detention should be given (by the way, his backside seems noticeably larger these days.) Bob Brown from the Greens looked well-browned. (Soapy) George Brandis appeared sinister in his full bottomed rig (courtesy of Daphnis de Jersey). [That's enough names, Ed.]

Brandis "QC"

The High Court jamboree was just one in a series of rallies to mark the departure of this singular jurist. There are dinners, colloquiums, panel discussions and next week a book launch of a massive 1,000 page door-stopper. 

Today Kirby did a fine job. He honoured everyone who honoured him as well as a few million others. There were a few good lines besides: 

"Ceremonies like this help to cement our corporate life and to remind us that we are all but temporary travellers in these parts. Mr [T.E.F.] Hughes, your presence reminds me of how the Duke of Edinburgh said he felt at his 80th birthday party. He said that he had not expected that his mother-in-law would still be there, aged 101." 

And on High Court architecture and being cut off from the rest of humanity:  

"It is a great pity that the architects placed most of the judicial chambers on level nine of this building facing the airport. This plants sullen, escapist thoughts in the minds of some justices.  

Chief Justices look out at the lake, upon which they are reputed to walk. From my windows I have watched the Brindabellas with their changing colours, the trees and the bright stars by night. Walking to and from work in the different seasons has been a special joy of my service here. Best not to be too cut off from reality. A life in Commonwealth cars is not a good look." 

He warned incoming justice Virginia Bell not to lose touch. She is to take over the departing judge's chambers and he said that if she forgets Doc Evatt's "little people" the ghosts of the former occupants, William Deane and Michael Kirby, will come and haunt her. 

Kirby ended with a conversation he said he had with a taxi driver (usually a reliable source of information).  

Driver: "I read that you're being forced to retire?" 

Kirbs: "Yes, the Constitution requires it at 70. There was a long pause. I waited for him to say 'But you don't look 70'. He never did ... After I alighted, the driver drove off very slowly into the distance. I can swear that I saw tears streaming down his cheeks. So it will be with some of you. But not all." 

Virginia Bell will be sworn in tomorrow (Tues. Feb. 3) and Justinian TV, aka Jacques Tati Productions, will this week broadcast a video presentation of the finest moments from her coronation and Kirbs' farewell.