Ceremonial - Sitting in Memory of the Late Sir Ronald Wilson

This proceeding was a ceremonial sitting of the High Court of Australia in Perth to mark the death of the Honourable Sir Ronald Darling Wilson, AC, KBE, CMG, a former Justice of the Court. The Chief Justice of Australia, the Honourable Anthony Murray Gleeson, AC, presided. Present on the Bench was the Honourable John Toohey, AC, a retired Justice of the High Court and former colleague of Sir Ronald Wilson. The Bar Table was occupied by various dignitaries, including the Solicitor-General of the Commonwealth, the Solicitor-General for Western Australia, representatives of the Solicitor-General for Victoria, the President of the Western Australian Bar Association (also representing the Australian Bar Association), a representative of the Chairman of the Victorian Bar, and the President of the Law Society of Western Australia (also representing the Law Society of the Australian Capital Territory). Lady Wilson and members of Sir Ronald Wilson's family were also present, as were other judicial officers and members of the legal profession.

The purpose of the sitting was to pay public tribute to the memory of Sir Ronald Wilson and to acknowledge his significant contributions to the Australian legal landscape and national life. The Chief Justice recounted Sir Ronald Wilson's distinguished career, commencing with his early life and education, his service in World War II, and his subsequent legal studies. His career progressed through the Crown Law Office in Western Australia, culminating in his appointment as Western Australia's Solicitor-General. During this period, he was noted for his vigorous and compelling advocacy in important constitutional cases before the High Court, often championing a federalist approach to constitutional interpretation.

The Chief Justice highlighted Sir Ronald Wilson's appointment to the High Court in 1979, where he made substantial contributions to the Court's jurisprudence, particularly in constitutional and criminal law, bringing a deep practical understanding of government and public law. Following his retirement from the Court in 1989, he continued his extensive public service, holding significant roles such as President of the Uniting Church, Deputy Chair of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, President of the Australian Council for Overseas Aid, and President of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. His work on the national inquiry into the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families was particularly noted. Tributes emphasised his personal qualities of humility, decency, and generosity of spirit, and his profound commitment to his family and to the welfare of disadvantaged members of the community. The sitting concluded with the Court adjourning.