Gavin and Garden

This matter concerned orders made by Justice Jordan regarding the children, V and J, and their parents. The dispute centred on the living arrangements and day-to-day care of the children, as well as various other aspects of their welfare and development. The orders also addressed the withdrawal of certain applications and the dismissal of others, alongside directions for future proceedings.

The court was required to determine the primary residence of the children, the allocation of long-term and day-to-day care responsibilities between the parents, and the specific arrangements for contact, including alternate weekends, school holidays, and public holidays. Further issues included provisions for communication between the children and the absent parent, notification of address changes, involvement in school and extracurricular activities, and the children's medical and dental care. The court also had to consider orders regarding the children's schooling, therapeutic counselling, and the conduct of the parents in relation to the proceedings and each other.

Justice Jordan made detailed orders concerning the children's living arrangements, primarily with the Father, but with significant periods of time spent with the Mother. These orders stipulated specific contact schedules, communication protocols, and parental responsibilities. By consent, the Father's application for contravention and application under s 118 of the Family Law Act were withdrawn, and both parties were restrained from instituting further proceedings without leave. The court also ordered the Mother to pay costs to the Independent Children’s Lawyer, who was subsequently discharged. The final hearing of a s 79A application was adjourned, and the matter was listed for a further Pre-Trial Conference with specific directions requested regarding the identification and valuation of assets and liabilities for property proceedings.