Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard has congratulated local Justices of the Peace for the decades of service to the community.

“Our local JPs perform an important service in the community, completely voluntarily,” Ms Howard said.

“They serve the public by signing documents that need a qualified witness to hearing certain types of court matters.

“The work they do allows lawyers and courts to concentrate on more complex legal matters.”

Ms Howard said she invited some long-serving JPs in for morning tea after receiving notice of the long service of so many local JPs.

“This group had over two centuries’ worth of experience and service between them.

“It was a great privilege to say thank you to them.”

The most recent recipients, with 40 years of service: Robert Tyler, Les Scott, Wayne McDonnell and Jayne Ware (who was unable to attend); and with 25 years of service: Bob Pilkington and Shandelle Schmidt.