Wilfred Robert Dovey

Brief description

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Full description

Wilfred Robert Dovey was born on 10 April 1894 at Bathurst, New South Wales. Dovey won scholarships to Sydney Grammar School and the University of Sydney where he graduated in 1916.

Dovey was admitted to the New South Wales Bar on 1 June 1922 and appointed King's Counsel in 1935. He was involved professionally with several publicised Federal and State royal commissions and inquiries, including those on doctor’s remuneration for national insurance (1938), the detention of members of the Australian First Movement (1944) and on the liquor laws (1951-1952). In 1954, Dovey also chaired the Royal Commission into certain matters relating to D.E. Studley – Ruxton.

He became an alderman of Waverly Municipal Council between 1935 and 1936 and served on the Aliens Classification and Advisory Committee between 1941 and 1945, and the Commonwealth Immigration Advisory Council between 1945 and 1965.

Dovey leased successful racehorses and was a foundation member of the Sydney Turf Club in 1943 where he served as vice-chairman. The following year he was elected to the committee of the Australian Jockey Club (vice chairman 1953-1961).

Appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales on 30 March 1953, in the following year Dovey became a judge in divorce and matrimonial causes.

Dovey retired on 9 April 1964 and died on 12 December 1969 in Darlinghurst, New South Wales.

ENDNOTES :
(1) The New South Wales Law Almanac, 1985, Sydney, Government Printer, 1882-
(2) "Who's Who in Australia", 1968, Melbourne, Herald and Weekly Times, 1935 - 1988
(3) " Australian Dictionary of Biography," 1940-1980, Vol 14, Melbourne, Melbourne University Press 1996

Notes

Judge of the Supreme Court of NSW, 30/03/1953 - 9/04/1964
Judge in Divorce and Matrimonial Causes, 1954 -