Ronald Wilson
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Sir Ronald Wilson AC KBE CMG QC LLB was born on 23 August 1922 in Geraldton, Western Australia, and now lives in Perth. He is a distinguished Australian lawyer, judge and social activist.
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Early life
His early life was marked by sorrow and hardship. When he was four years old his mother died. At the age of seven his father suffered a stroke and spent the next five years in a hospice 300 miles from home. His older brother became a father figure to him and for years the family faced financial struggles. At the age of 14, these pressures forced Sir Ronald to leave school and he took his first job as a messenger with the Geraldton Local Court.
Education
- Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Australia (1949)
- Master of Laws at the University of Pennsylvania (1957)
Work
- Court messenger
- Pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force flying Spitfires over Britain during World War II
- Admitted as barrister and solicitor (1951)
- Queen's Counsel (1963) (youngest ever in WA)
- Solicitor-General for Western Australia (1969-1979)
- Justice of the High Court of Australia (1979-1989)
- Chancellor of Murdoch University (1980-1995)
- President of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (1990-1997)
- With Mick Dodson, the Aborigianl Social Justice Commissioner, provided leadership of the National Inquiry into the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families and communities.
- Co-author of: Bringing Them Home: Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra.
Church & Social Leadership
- Moderator of Assembly, Presbyterian Church in Western Australia (1965)
- Moderator, WA Synod, Uniting Church in Australia (1977-1979)
- President of the Assembly, Uniting Church in Australia (1988-1991)
- Deputy Chairperson of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation (1991-1994)
- President, Australian Chapter, World Conference on Religion and Peace (1991-1996)
Sir Ronald has been particularly concerned with encouraging the broad Australian community to gain an understanding of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history.
The Ronald Wilson Prize in Law was first awarded in 1993. It is awarded to the graduand who best combines distinguished academic performance in Law units with qualities of character, leadership and all-round contribution to the life of Murdoch University.
In retirement, he travels widely to Aboriginal and church events, and has been an active member of a refugee education scheme near his home.
Honours
In 1978 he was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (C.M.G.) for services to the community.
In 1979 he was made Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (K.B.E.) for services to the law.
In 1988 Sir Ronald was made Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia (A.C.) for services to the law.
Family
Sir Ronald married Leila Smith in April 1950. They have five children and nine grandchildren.