General News
9 January, 2023
Adrian calls end to stellar career
WHAT was to be a five week deployment led to a 37-year career for Ararat’s Clerk-of-Courts Adrian Pieters.
WHAT was to be a five week deployment led to a 37-year career for Ararat’s Clerk-of-Courts Adrian Pieters.
Friday was Adrian’s last day on the job, ending a career which saw him work with many colourful, interesting and in some cases notorious individuals at different courts over 50 years.
Adrian was based in Ballarat when he was tapped on the shoulder 37 years ago to take on a relieving position in Ararat for five weeks.
His ambition was to be in charge of his own court and he jumped at the chance.
He must have liked Ararat and its people, because 37-years-later he’s still here.
Adrian said Ararat had a great community.
“It’s a great place to bring up a young family with sporting facilities and good schools. Living here has allowed me to get involved in football both as a player and umpire and I’m still part of the Ararat District Junior Football Association,” he said.
During his time in Ararat, Adrian has also had the added responsibility of running the Stawell Magistrates Court and St Arnaud Magistrates Court.
Over his long career, Adrian has seen many changes like the introduction of Court link (Courts Computer System) and recent video link courts.
He says a lot of his work now involves the family violence jurisdictions.
At a recent ceremony in Melbourne, Adrian was presented with a certificate by the Chief Magistrate for 50 years dedicated service to the courts.
“I would like to be remembered as a person who tried his best to help people out where possible and give good advice, but in the end, it is the Magistrate who makes the final decision,” Adrian said.
From early in his adult life, Adrian showed enormous promise.
He performed well in the state public service exam and started off as a junior clerk at the Prothonotary’s Office before being offered a Clerk of Court’s traineeship at the Melbourne Children’s Court.
He quickly received promotion and moved to Moonee Ponds Court, then Preston, Flemington, Kew and Melbourne Magistrates Court before his deployment to Ballarat.
As for retirement, Adrian says he has plenty to keep him occupied.
“I’m officially on recreation and long service leave and I’ll spend more time with my grandsons on the Gold Coast, follow my team of racehorses, improve my guitar playing and have a few beers with friends,” he said.
Adrian’s daughter Kylie Pieters has followed in her father’s footsteps and is Director of Operations at the Children’s Court.