ONE of St Stanislaus’ College’s success stories, Peter Dingwall, recently had his photo added to the institution’s Old Boy Gallery.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A student from 1963-69, Mr Dingwall went on to become a magistrate in the ACT.
Head of College Dr Anne Wenham said the gallery recognises Stannies’ Old Boys who have gone on to achieve great things.
Back in Bathurst for the photo to be unveiled, Mr Dingwall said he was surprised to have been included among such glorious company.
“I feel like I don’t belong, there’s such incredible achievement [among the others in the gallery],” he said.
“I felt like it wasn’t deserved, I just do my job.”
I felt like it wasn’t deserved, I just do my job.
- Old Boy Peter Dingwall
Following Stannies’, Mr Dingwall completed his Bachelor of Laws at the Australian National University in 1974 and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in 1975.
In 1990, he was appointed as a magistrate in the ACT Magistrates Court.
“Being appointed in the first place was a real honour and a sense of responsibility,” Mr Dingwall said.
In the 26 years since, he said it has been an utter privilege to remain in that position.
“You have such a serious responsibility, everything you do effects people in big ways and small ways,” Mr Dingwall said.
“One of the most important aspects of society is our system of justice. I can’t say I ever woke up any morning dreading going to work.”
Mr Dingwall said Stannies’ has a long history of achievements by some of its Old Boys.
While he remains passionate about law and justice, he retired from the position when he turned 65 recently. In the ACT, magistrates must retire once they reach 65.
Some of Mr Dingwall’s other achievements include being registrar of the ACT Supreme Court (1985-90), ACT district registrar of the Federal Court of Australia (1980-85), and legal officer in the Commonwealth Crown Solictor’s Office (1975-80).
Mr Dingwall has also had a strong interest in equestrian events and was elected president of the ACT Show Jumping Club (2003), and was also appointed chef d'equipe for an Australian show jumping team in Korea in 2008.
He joined the board of Equestrian NSW in 2014 and became president in 2015.
Mr Dingwall has also served on the ACT Rugby Union Judiciary from 1995 to 2001.
