Chester Porter | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1926-03-15)15 March 1926 |
| Died | 15 March 2021(2021-03-15) (aged 95) |
| Alma mater | University of Sydney |
| Occupation | Barrister |
| Title | Queen's Counsel (QC) |
| Partner | Jean Featherstone, |
| Children | Dorothy Porter; Mary Porter; Josie McSkimming |
| Parent | Coralie & Frederick Porter |
Chester Alexander PorterQC (15 March 1926 – 15 March 2021) was a prominent Australian barrister.
Chester's father was Frederick Porter. His mother Coralie was born into aJewish family but later converted to Christianity. When asked about his faith he at times referred to himself as a 'Christian Jew'.[1] Porter began high school atBarker College before going on to win a scholarship toShore and finishing his high schooling there. While at Shore, Porter was captain of the debating team. He later graduated in law at theUniversity of Sydney.[citation needed]
While a law student, Porter purportedly witnessed his friend Frank McAlary dance for a cameraman after the announcement of the end of theSecond World War. He has long since publicly supported the theory that McAlary was theDancing Man.[2]
He was admitted to theBar in 1948, aged 21, the youngest person ever admitted to the bar at the time, and subsequently the second youngest, in history, after Norman Jenkyn who was a few months younger.[1][3]
Porer was notable for his participation in theVoyager andChamberlain Royal Commissions.[4] He defended notorious crooked police officerRoger Rogerson, on bribery charges against fellow police officer Michael Drury.[5] He was portrayed byJohn Hargreaves in the miniseriesBlue Murder, about the trial of Roger Rogerson.[6] His defence of Judge John Foord was considered so miraculous that the headline "Chester Porter walks on water" was used in a newspaper.[7]
Porter was nicknamed the 'smilingfunnel web' because of his charm, great politeness and his forensic questioning. He advocated at the Bar for 52 years, joining in 1948, and becoming a Queen's Counsel in 1974.
Porter urged improvement inforensic science as a result of his legal work and the Chamberlain Royal Commission. His efforts and those of others resulted in the National Institute of Forensic Science.
When he retired from the Bar in 2000 the Bar Council of New South Wales appointed him an Honorary Life Member for his exceptional service to the law.[8]
Porter was interviewed for the New South Wales Bar Association Oral History project.[9]
After retirement, Porter became an author. His books are:
Porter also wrote some articles forBar News.[11][12]
Chester married chemistry teacher Jean Featherstone. They had three daughters, the poetDorothy Porter,[13] Mary Porter, a veterinarian, and Josie McSkimming, a social worker and academic.
Porter was a member of:
Jean and Chester were founding members of the NSW Dickens Society and were awarded the Percy Fitzgerald Award on 25 October 2016 for their support of the society since its founding in October 2002.[14]
Porter joined Rostrum shortly after going to the bar when there weren't many Rostrum clubs in Australia. In his bookThe Gentle Art of Persuasion he attributes his improved speaking skills to Rostrum and said that becoming a "Critic in Rostrum one learns a great deal".[15]
Porter won Rostrum NSW "Speaker of the Year" in the 1986 competition.
Porter retired from the law in the year 2000.[16] He then published his three books on his life and the law.
He died on Monday 17 March 2021 aged 95.H[17] He was survived by his wife, Jean, and two daughters, Mary Davis and Dr Josie McSkimming.[16]
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