Tribunal members

Judge John Bowman – Chairperson

Judge John Bowman was appointed as a Judge of the County Court in February 2001 and has previously held roles as Acting President of VCAT and Administration Judge (County Court). Judge Bowman was Chairman of the Racing Victoria (RV) Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board (RADB) from 2015.

Judge Graeme Hicks QC – Deputy Chairperson

Judge Graeme Hicks QC is a former County Court Judge. He has also served as Deputy Chairperson of VCAT, Deputy Chairperson of the Racing Appeals Tribunal and Deputy Chairperson and Chairperson of the Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) RADB.

Magistrate John Doherty – Deputy Chairperson

Magistrate John Doherty has been a Victorian Magistrate since July 1990 and a Reserve Magistrate since April 2017. He has served as Chair of Metropolitan Harness Racing (Melbourne), Member of the HRV Board, Director of the Victorian Harness Racing Sports Club, Chairman of the HRV Integrity Council, Chair of Harness Racing Australia Prohibited Substances Review Committee and is member of the Rules Committee for Harness Racing Australia.

Justice Shane Marshall – Deputy Chairperson

Justice Shane Marshall was a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia and the Industrial Relations Court of Australia and is currently an Acting Judge of the Supreme Court of Tasmania. He has also served as Chair of the Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) RADB and Member of the Department of Justice Human Research Ethics Committee.

Judge Julie Nicholson – Member

Judge Julie Nicholson was a Judge of the County Court of Victoria between 2001 and 2014. She was appointed as a Judge in July 2001 following 18 years of advocacy and advisory roles. Judge Nicholson has also served as Deputy Chair of the former Victorian Racing Appeals Tribunal.

Robert Abrahams – Member

Robert Abrahams has extensive experience in the defence of liability claims against sporting, leisure and adventure activity organisations, including cases involving racehorses. He has served as a member and Deputy Chairperson of the HRV RADB, Honorary Solicitor for the Cranbourne Harness Racing Club, Secretary to the Association of Victorian Country Harness Racing Clubs and acted for the Victorian Association of Harness Racing Trainers and Drivers. His family has been involved in Harness Racing for over 70 years.

Josh Bornstein – Member

Josh Bornstein is head of the National Employment and Industrial Relations group at Maurice Blackburn lawyers. He has served as a member and Deputy Chairperson of the RV RADB.

Des Gleeson – Member

Des Gleeson held the dual role of Director Integrity Services and Chairman of Stewards at RV. He has held a number of board positions including Director of Tasracing and Chair of Tasracing Racing Rules and Policy Sub-Committee, Director of Racing Australia and Chairman of Racing Australia’s Integrity and Welfare Sub-Committee.

Judy Bourke – Member

Judy Bourke holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. She co-developed and co-taught the Racing Industry, Law and Regulation subject for the University of Melbourne Law Masters program and has written several articles including Senate Reports on Animal Welfare in Sport (1991), The Horse and the Law (2004), Equine Influenza: The Legal Framework of Quarantine (2007). Ms Bourke is also a member of the St Vincent’s Hospital Animal Ethics Committee.

Heidi Keighran – Member

Heidi Keighran was a Stipendiary Steward with RV (Integrity Services) until 2006, was the first female appointed to a metropolitan panel of stipendiary stewards in Australia and the first female steward to chair a thoroughbred race meeting in Australia. She subsequently completed a law degree, was admitted to practice as an Australian lawyer and officer of the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2015 and continues to practice as a criminal lawyer.

Dr June Smith – Member

Dr June Smith holds a Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts and a PhD in Law. Dr Smith has recently been appointed to the role of Deputy Chief Ombudsman at the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. She has been a Member of the RV RADB since 2011.

Amanda Dickens– Member

Amanda Dickens is a member of the Victorian Bar and a part-time member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Prior to becoming a barrister, Ms Dickens held a position as a Lead Lawyer (Fatalities) in the Enforcement Group at WorkSafe.

Judge Marilyn Harbison – Member

Judge Marilyn Harbison has been a Judge of the County Court for 24 years and Vice-president of VCAT for 12 years. She also served as Chairman of the Housing Guarantee Fund, which oversaw builders warranty insurance in Victoria.

Maree Payne – Member

Maree Payne is a former jockey. She rode in approximately 4,000 races during her 13-year career and had around 450 winning rides.

Dr Andrew Gould – Member

Dr Andrew Gould holds a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Master of Business Administration and has extensive experience in veterinary practice. He served as Chair of the Victorian Veterinary Board’s complaints sections and has been the veterinary member on the GRV RADB since 2016.

Greg Childs – Member

Greg Childs was New Zealand’s leading Apprentice Jockey before embarking on a highly successful career in Australia. Mr Childs rode for 31 years with over 2100 winners including two Jockeys’ Premierships. He was awarded the Ron Hutchinson Excellence Award, the Scobie Breasley Medal and the Roy Higgins Excellence Award.

Judge Kathryn Kings – Member

Judge Kathryn Kings has been a Judge of the County Court for 11 years, and Vice President of VCAT for 5 years.  She also served as a Master and Associate Judge of the Supreme Court for 16 years.