Murdoch farewells first Chancellor

Murdoch University has farewelled one of its founding pioneers, the Honourable Justice Wickham QC, who passed away recently aged 99.

The Honourable Justice John Wickham QC was the Foundation Chancellor of Murdoch University and served two, three year terms from 1974-1980.

In his history of the first ten years of Murdoch University "It Had Better Be a Good One" Professor Geoffrey Bolton refers to John Wickham as "a humane, thoughtful, and fair-minded jurist and an excellent choice" as the University's first Chancellor.

Born in Western Australia in 1919, John Wickham had a distinguished career as judge and Queens's Counsel, and was well-known for his deep concern for social issues. After graduating from the University of Western Australia, John Wickham was admitted to practise as a solicitor in 1942. He was a foundation member of the Independent Bar of Western Australia in 1962 and of the Western Australian Bar Association (WABA) that was formed in 1963.

The Hon. John Wickham was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1967 and was a justice of the Supreme Court of Western Australia from 1969-1983. He was appointed a joint Commissioner Assisting the Senate Inquiry into the conduct of the Hon. Justice Murphy of the High Court in 1984 and was the Chairman of the W.A. Anti-Corruption Commission from 1989-1997. He was also a Visiting Lecturer in Law at the University of Western Australia and editor of WA Law Reports from 1960-1968. John Wickham also served his old school, Guildford Grammar, as a council member for 21 years and was its chairman for four years.

Justice Wickham remained a supporter of Murdoch University for many years, particularly for the University’s groundbreaking Law Library Campaign.

He was awarded an honorary degree (Doctor of the University) by the University in 1984.