Vale: The Hon Sally Brown AM (1950-2025)

26/03/2025

Vale

The Hon Sally Brown AM, former judge of the Family Court of Australia, died on 21 March 2025.

In 1985, Sally Brown was appointed a Magistrate in Victoria, then Deputy Chief Magistrate in 1987, before becoming Chief Magistrate in 1990. She was the first woman to head a Victorian Court. She was subsequently appointed as a judge of the Family Court of Australia in 1993.

Justice Brown also sat as a judge in NSW and had professional and personal connections among the NSW Bar and judiciary.

She played a significant role in the development and delivery of judicial education in Australia, particularly education relating to gender and culture, and the incidence and impact of family violence.

In 2003, she was appointed to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women and in 2006 was made a member of the Order of Australia.

Friends and colleagues are invited to gather at Carousel, 22 Aughtie Drive, Albert Park, Melbourne on Tuesday, 22 April at 2pm to celebrate the joys and achievements of her life.