The Honourable Acting Justice Brian Frank Martin AO MBE was awarded an Honorary Doctorate at a Charles Darwin University graduation ceremony, held at the Alice Springs Convention Centre on Friday June 15.
A Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, was conferred in recognition of his service to Australia and the Northern Territory, particularly in the areas of law and local Government.
Alice Springs was a fitting location for the presentation of this award as it is where Acting Justice Martin spent the majority of his career.
Acting Justice Martin quickly gained respect contributing to community affairs when elected to the Town Management Board 1966. He was eventually elected Mayor in 1973 contributing to the achievement of full local Government for the town.
During his tenure he organised cross cultural conferences, relief to Darwin victims of cyclone Tracy and helped form the Northern Territory Law Society.
Acting Justice Martin moved to Darwin in 1981 to take office as the Northern Territory’s second Solicitor General. He was appointed as Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory in 1987 and appointed as Chief Justice in 1993.
After retiring in 2003 he was appointed Acting Judge of the Supreme Court, an office he still holds.
CDU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Helen Garnett said Acting Justice Martin was distinguished by plain speaking common sense and application of compassion, mercy and courtesy.
‘At all times he has sought to ensure the court earned and maintained the reputation in the community as an institution upon which the community could always rely on to administer justice according to law, independent of the executive,’ she said.
In addition to the presentation of the honorary doctorate, Friday’s ceremony saw over 600 Central Australian students graduate from Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training courses.