Page 1461 - Week 06 - Thursday, 2 July 2020
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
eventually appointed as a judge of the District Court, a position she held for many years, until her retirement in 2013.
It was not long before she was back sitting on the bench: only a year later, she was appointed an acting justice in the ACT Supreme Court. Despite initially being appointed for only 12 months, Acting Justice Ashford continued to hold her position until her passing.
Acting Justice Ashford is described by her colleagues as being a fair, reasonable and pragmatic judge. Her judgements were always sound and well reasoned; it was very rare for her decisions to go to review. She was always compassionate, respectful and courteous. By all measures, she was a model judge.
Her compassion extended beyond her role on the bench, being abundant in her personal life as well. She was a charitable person who was generous to all people, from all walks of life.
Prior to taking up her role as an acting justice, she sat on the board of Rainbow Lodge, a not-for-profit organisation which provides transitional housing and support services to men as they re-enter the community after a period of incarceration. She liked to make sure that the men had enough clothing and would often encourage her friends to make donations to this cause.
Acting Justice Ashford was described as a being a proud dog owner and a perfect friend. She was loved by many and always made the effort to keep in touch with people from every phase of her life and career. She was committed to her friends, and if you were lucky enough to be counted as one, you knew you had a friend for life. Her friends fondly remember her as a warm, kind, optimistic and caring person. She was always the one to call if they needed someone to talk to.
She was godmother to many, many kids. She always took a keen interest in their lives and would offer advice without fear or favour on every subject, we are told. Her generosity always shone through when it came to her friends and her family. Linda was a regular fixture at her friends’ family gatherings and became a thoughtful confidant across generations. On hearing of her passing, Jack Kelly, from New York, said that Linda was home to him. Many of her friends have expressed feeling the same way.
Being a justice of the Supreme Court is no easy task. Linda should be remembered for her dedication and commitment to the role and her community.
I would like to re-emphasise the immense contribution made by Justice Ashford to the territory as well as to New South Wales. ACT Chief Justice Helen Murrell said:
Her Honour was an industrious, compassionate and stylish judge who took great interest in all whom she encountered.
Acting Justice Ashford had a profound impact on everyone she met and was well regarded by all. Her passing was a shock that has been felt deeply in the community
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video