The Australian Women's Register

Summary

In 1990 Grace Kruger became the first woman to be appointed a magistrate in Queensland.

After completing Junior at the Malanda High School in far north Queensland, Grace Kruger commenced employment at the Magistrates Court Office, Ingham, as a Clerk/Typist. She left in 1968 to travel overseas and gained temporary employment in the Premier’s Department in Queensland House, in London. She was appointed to the permanent staff in 1969. Whilst in London, Grace passed the exam enabling her to become a Clerk in the Queensland Public Service.

Kruger returned to Queensland in 1972 and took up a Clerk position in Brisbane. Now eligible to sit for the Clerk of the Courts examination, she was eligible for promotion within the Magistrates Court Service. She was also then eligible to enrol with the Solicitors Board of Queensland. Kruger was admitted as a Solicitor in 1984.

Kruger served in various parts of the State taking promotion as Senior Clerk Mackay, Relieving Clerk of the Court, Clerk of the Court Munduberra/Eidsvold, Clerk of the Court Cloncurry and Clerk of the Court Townsville. In both Cloncurry and Townsville she acted on numerous occasions as a Stipendiary Magistrate.

Kruger was appointed Stipendiary Magistrate, Kingaroy, in March 1990. She retired on 8th August, 1998.