In Memory – Geoffrey Hoare

Respected former Magistrate Geoffrey Hoare (SPC 1947-49) died on June 22 after a long battle with MND (Motor Neurone Disease).

Geoff was a boarder from Horsham and had three sisters, Geraldine, Pauline and Denise. Geoff is pictured- here with his sister,- Pauline,- who was the first woman to become a Cabinet minister and- part of John Cain’s government. Geoff thoroughly enjoyed his time at SPC and always enjoyed catching up with SPC Old Boys at various social and sporting occasions.

Geoff joined the Courts Branch and passed the Clerk of Courts examination in 1952. He was appointed a Clerk of Courts in 1956 and served at various suburban and country courts throughout Victoria before becoming the Clerk of Courts at Collingwood and Heidelberg. He later became a relieving Clerk of Courts. During this period Geoff studied at Melbourne University and passed the subjects required for appointment as a Stipendiary- Magistrate.- In 1972, he was appointed as an Inspecting Clerk of Courts, which entailed inspecting Clerks and Court Houses over the breadth of Victoria.

In 1973, he was appointed as a Stipendiary Magistrate and Coroner for the State of Victoria. As a Magistrate he was based at the City Court in Melbourne. He adjudicated over cases long and short, and some major committal cases lasting over 40 sitting days. He was adept in hearings of both Civil and Criminal cases.

Former Chief Magistrate of Victoria, John Dugan, who gave the eulogy at Geoff’s funeral, said Geoff was respected by his colleagues and members of the legal profession. Geoff retired in 1988 having spent 38 years in the service of state. He was also a member of the Victorian Racing Club, Melbourne Racing Club and Melbourne Cricket Club. He always enjoyed meeting up with SPC Old Boys, particularly- at the race meets and was fondly remembered for being the school -bookie-. He was remembered as a -great bloke, a good punter and a top magistrate-.

Geoff is survived by his- wife Maureen and their children, Meghan and Timothy, who are both members of the legal profession, and five grandchildren, Dominic, James, Eleanor, Matilda and Henrietta.

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