JP began city’s own justice branch
JUSTICE of the Peace and marriage celebrant Fiori Cruz has always been passionate about civil rights.
Ms Cruz can remember a time she was turned away because of both her sex and ethnicity after she moved from to Australia from the Philippines more than 25 years ago .
"I was working as a sales person when I first moved to Australia," she said.
"I remember trying to shake the hand of a businessman. He turned away and he put it behind his back."
Also a member of the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland, Ms Cruz worked in conjunction with the migrant resource centre, winning commendations for her efforts to combat domestic violence.
When she moved to Warwick, Ms Cruz felt the region desperately needed its own branch so local Justices of the Peace could be brought up to date on the latest legal changes. "Warwick needed something," she said. "JPs are responsible for more than they're often aware."
"We need to know what is current and how it affects us."
It took Ms Cruz four years of hard campaigning to open the Queensland Justice Association branch last April.
The small group of JPs has gradually expanded and meets often.
Ms Cruz now aims to have a QJA conference this September with guest speakers from the police force and wider justice community.
"We will be discussing how to work with people from all walks of life," she said.
