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Two deputy chief magistrates appointed in Victoria
The Victorian Government has announced the appointment of two deputy chief magistrates to the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, with Susan Wakeling being reappointed, and Timothy Bourke being newly appointed.
Jess Feyder
Deputy Chief Magistrate Wakeling joined the court in 2000 and was appointed deputy in 2020. She’s had a long and distinguished career, serving as regional coordinating magistrate at Melbourne and Heidelberg’ Magistrates Courts, and oversaw Heidelberg’s family violence division for seven years.
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She served as supervising magistrate of the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT), where she oversaw the establishment of the Koori VOCAT List. There, she managed applications made by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander victims of crime.
Magistrate Bourke has served on the bench since 2014. He was previously a barrister for 10 years, where he specialised in litigation, insolvency trust and probate matters, also practising as a solicitor at Wilmoth Field Warne Lawyers.
He began his legal career in 1986 as a clerk and then a registrar, before becoming the first state co-ordinating registrar of the Magistrates’ Court. He acted in other registry roles across all court jurisdictions and was a deputy registrar of the County Court and deputy prothonotary of the Supreme Court.
He replaces deputy chief magistrate Felicity Broughton, who is due to finish her current role in October but will continue to serve as a magistrate.
Victoria Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes commended: “I congratulate deputy chief magistrate Bourke on his appointment and look forward to his continued contribution to the Victorian legal system in this exciting new role.
“I also congratulate deputy chief magistrate Wakeling, who has been a devoted member of the court for more than two decades – her continued contribution to the justice system is invaluable.
“I also want to thank retiring deputy chief magistrate Broughton on her profound tenure on the court – in particular her work in the family violence space – and look forward to her continued contribution.”
