Terry Connolly

Terence (Terry) Connolly (14 February 1958 – 25 September 2007) was an Australian politician and judge.

Terry Connolly
Member of ACT Legislative Assembly
In office
1 May 1990 – 15 February 1992
Member for Molonglo
In office
18 February 1995 – 19 February 1996
Preceded bynew constituency
Succeeded byMarion Reilly
Attorney-General of the Australian Capital Territory
In office
29 May 1991 – 18 February 1995
Preceded byBernard Collaery
Succeeded byGary Humphries
Minister for Housing and Community Services
In office
29 May 1991 – 18 February 1995
Preceded byBernard Collaery
Succeeded byKate Carnell
Minister for Urban Services
In office
15 February 1992 – 18 February 1995
Preceded byCraig Duby
Succeeded byTony De Domenico
Personal details
Born
Terence Connolly

(1958-02-14)14 February 1958
Adelaide, South Australia
Died25 September 2007(2007-09-25) (aged 49)
Canberra
Political partyLabor Party
SpouseDr Helen Watchirs
ChildrenLara and Maddy
Alma materUniversity of Adelaide; Australian National University
ProfessionBarrister, solicitor, politician, judge
[1]

Early years

The son of an Irish bricklayer,[2] Connolly was born in Adelaide and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (both with Honours) from the University of Adelaide and a Masters in Public Law from the Australian National University. He was registered to practise as a barrister and solicitor in South Australia in 1982 and worked with Justice John Gallop. He moved to Canberra in 1983 and worked as a legal adviser in the Commonwealth departments of Attorney-General, Veterans' Affairs and Foreign Affairs. He was registered to practise in the Australian Capital Territory in 1985.[3][4]

Career

Connolly joined the Australian Labor Party in 1976 and was elected as South Australian President of Young Labor in 1978; and as National President in 1979.[1]

Connolly became a Labor Member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly in 1990 on the resignation of Paul Whalan and served as Attorney-General from 1991 to 1995. With the creation of electorates in 1995, he became a member for Molonglo. Connolly also served as Minister for Housing and Community Services from 1991 to 1995 and Minister for Urban Services from 1992 to 1995.[5]

He resigned from the Assembly in February 1996[6] and was appointed Master of the Australian Capital Territory Supreme Court. Connolly was appointed a judge of the ACT Supreme Court in January 2003.[3]

Connolly died of a heart attack while cycling atop Red Hill in Canberra;[7] and his family carried out his wishes to donate his organs for the benefit of others.[8] He is survived by his wife, Dr Helen Watchirs, the ACT Human Rights Commissioner and their two daughters; Lara and Maddy.[4]

References
  1. "Members of the First Assembly" (PDF). Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory. September 1990. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  2. Connolly, Terry (31 January 2003). Speech given by Justice Connolly (PDF) (Speech). Ceremonial Sitting. Canberra: Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  3. "Biography – Justice Terrence Connolly". Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory. Archived from the original on 20 May 2009. Retrieved 26 September 2007.
  4. Alexander, Cathy (27 September 2007). "Tears flow as judge farewelled". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 10 September 2007. Retrieved 29 September 2007.
  5. "Members of the Second Assembly" (PDF). Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory. April 1993. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  6. "Casual Vacancy in the third Legislative Assembly". ACT Electoral Commission. 23 December 2002. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 26 September 2007.
  7. "ACT judge dies of heart attack". AAP. 25 September 2007. Archived from the original on 20 May 2009. Retrieved 26 September 2007.
  8. "Terry Connolly". Gift of Life Incorporated. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
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