General News
20 March, 2023
Passion for justice brings County Court judge home
A visit to Horsham Court House in 1978 for Grade 6 pupil Kellie Blair set the course for her life. Horsham West Primary School teacher Dino McMillan organised the visit which left young Kellie walking out of the court house declaring she was set on...
A visit to Horsham Court House in 1978 for Grade 6 pupil Kellie Blair set the course for her life.
Horsham West Primary School teacher Dino McMillan organised the visit which left young Kellie walking out of the court house declaring she was set on becoming a barrister.
Ms Blair returned to Horsham recently, this time as a County Court judge after being appointed to that role in August 2021.
She grew up on Bangerang Plains, the daughter of Kalkee farmers Heather Blair of Horsham and the late Tom Blair.
"It was an idyllic childhood riding motorbikes and yabbying in dams," she said.
"At our place it was all hands on deck feeding sheep, fencing, cutting thistles and helping with other farm jobs.
"Dad was an innovative farmer and many people visited.
"My parents had fabulous qualities and values as people and were very community-minded.
"I also played badminton, netball, tennis, basketball and 500 cards at Sailors Home Hall.
"We even had a badminton court painted on the floor of the grain shed."
Doing work experience when in Year 10 at Horsham High School with a barrister who specialised in crime cases added to her resolve to study law.
"We stayed at a hostel in Brighton and the idea was to take public transport, get around the city and experience city life for a few days," she said.
"It was the best, and mind-blowing.
"I went to Pentridge jail, the kids' court, Magistrates and County courts and even went to lunch with lawyers and some magistrates."
The next two years of her schooling were at Ballarat Clarendon College.
"My parents made sacrifices to send me to boarding school and were totally supportive of my choice."
At the end of her two years in Ballarat she gained an HSC score of 333 out of a possible 410.
The cut-off score for law was 335 so she missed out.
Fortunately, a second-round offer saw her accepted by Monash University, where she worked towards a double degree in arts and law.
"I was really motivated, I loved university and worked hard," Ms Blair said.
"After years of study I undertook Articles, which was a year of practical experience."
She completed her Articles with a suburban crime lawyer, the late Patrick Dwyer, who was fresh from representing one of those accused in the Russell Street bombing case.
"Pat worked on many serious cases and was a wonderful mentor," she said.
After qualifying as a lawyer she continued to work for Mr Dwyer before moving to Bendigo, where she worked for two local firms before joining Victoria Legal Aid.
In 2002, after working for a solicitor advocate for 11 years, Ms Blair signed the bar roll, finally realising her dream of becoming a barrister.
It was while working online as a barrister during a COVID-19 lockdown that she received a significant phonecall.
"It was out of the blue from the Attorney General's office asking if I would accept the position of County Court judge," she said. "I accepted; I had to do it."
Her work in Horsham's County Court has involved "the more serious cases", including commercial cultivation of cannabis and serious sex matters.
"I tend to take a therapeutic approach to my work," she said. "I take the view that most people are capable of redemption.
"I have been witness to some 'amazing reformation'. It's a question of balancing just punishment and deterrence with rehabilitation.
"I am acutely aware that very often people are terribly harmed by what others have done.
"I try to include them in the sentencing process, as much to help them understand the system as to validate and acknowledge them as victims."
When not on the County Court circuit, Ms Blair lives in one of Melbourne's inner suburbs and rides a bike to work. Her interests include walking her dog, running and long-distance bike riding.
Her partner of 30 years, Enzo, is a construction worker.
"He's Italian so we make salami, enjoy preserving tomatoes, cooking and making pesto, as well as gardening.
"In my work I hear some pretty sad and sorry tales and sometimes I sit there and think, 'There but for the grace of God'."