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Law and Science Graduation Address by The
Honourable Justice Kevin Zervos SC
Friday 30 October 2015
Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University,
Clayton Campus
Chancellor, Dr Alan Finkel, President and Vice
Chancellor, Prof Margaret Gardner, Vice-Provost
(Learning and Teaching), Prof Darrell Evans, VicePresident of Academic Board, Prof Chris Davies,
Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof Bryan Horrigan,
Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof Scott O’Neill,
Members of Faculties, Ladies and Gentlemen and
most importantly Graduates. It gives me great
pleasure to address you today on this very special
occasion.
Although a long time ago, it only seems like
yesterday I sat where you are, having graduated with
a science degree in 1975 and a law degree in 1977.
Little did I know at the time where life’s path would
lead me, especially here today to address you.
I recall in 1972, I came to Monash to do degrees in
science and law. In those days, they did not have a
combined course. So it was fairly awkward for me
going from one end of the campus to the other,
trying to juggle my commitments in both degrees.
At one stage I did an Arts subject and I had to attend
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the three faculties. Now that was confusing. In Law,
I was known as Mr Zervos. In Arts, I was known as
Kevin. And in Science, I was known as 7236563. I
think that really sums it all up.
I majored in psychology in my science degree and I
remember at one time I did an elective in animal
behaviour with Dr Stella Crossley as the lecturer.
She was a brilliant and leading academic in this field.
She was a serious and no-nonsense person. So when
I had to give a class presentation on a subject of
animal behavior, I chose the pre-copulatory,
copulatory and post copulatory behaviour of
budgerigars.
I will not go into the details of my presentation but
needless to say I brought a smile to Dr Crossley’s
face, which was not an easy thing to do and I realised
then that my forte was in advocacy, so I pursued a
career in law.
I learned that she passed away and I was deeply
saddened to hear it. She was a wonderful teacher
and I learnt a lot from her which I have used as part
of my courtroom craft in the trials and appeals that I
have done over the years and now sitting as a judge.
That is just one instance of the influence that
Monash had on me. There were many.
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I found in particular the thought processes employed
in the different faculties to be of immeasurable
benefit to me in my later career.
I would find myself thinking as a scientist when I
was dealing in law, and thinking as a lawyer when I
was dealing in science. The latter did not work out
as well. But truly I did find great benefit in applying
scientific reasoning when addressing legal issues
and problems.
None of what you learn goes wasted.
Whether you are a lawyer or a scientist or have the
benefit of both worlds, the life ahead will be full of
challenges and new experiences.
You have been admitted to degrees from one of the
finest academic institutions in the world. Let me
extend my sincere congratulations to you on your
academic achievement. It is something that you and
those close to you should be very proud of.
For today marks a very special and important
occasion in your life and future career.
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To be a graduate, and to be a graduate from Monash,
will have a profound impact on the rest of your life.
Monash as an academic institution has always stood
apart from the others - it has always been
progressive, innovative and searching its teachings
and academic pursuits. It has been at the forefront
of change and development in every respect. It has
an outstanding reputation as an institution of
academic excellence - one that you can proudly
attach yourself to and one that you should carry
forward in your future endeavours.
There is no rigidity or constraints at Monash, you are
free to learn, discover and develop both in your field
of learning and as a person.
But its uniqueness is that Monash has a soul and
spirit, unlike a lot of educational institutions, which
has been passed on from generation to generation of
students, teachers and staff alike. Not only do you
receive an education but you develop and grow as a
person. This will be apparent in the years ahead
when you face the realities of your personal and
professional life.
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Monash instills a way of thinking and an approach
to life that will be with you always and that will
guide and assist you in all that you do. It will also
give you a firm foundation and an everlasting bond
with fellow graduates and teachers in your field of
learning that you can always call upon whenever the
need may arise.
We live in a complex world and it is getting more
and more complex every day. You are expected to
know a lot in everything you do, in particular in your
professional life. You are expected to keep abreast
of new developments and produce results. This is
all taking place in a world that is shrinking, and
where the pace of change is rapid.
The road ahead will not be easy but it will be
rewarding and fulfilling if you work hard and are
sincere about what you do. There will be great
challenges and major disappointments but there will
also be great satisfaction and major achievements.
But no matter what the circumstances or situation,
the maintenance of a good reputation and high
standards of integrity and probity are a measure of
your self-respect and the respect for and of others.
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It is often said that personality opens doors but its
character that keeps them open. Character is
everything.
In a time where the emphasis is on results, we
sometimes forget the importance of being honest
and true, not only to others, but to ourselves. Being
a person of good character is an essential ingredient
to future success both in your personal and
professional life.
Your qualities and virtues as a person will reflect in
all that you do.
So be true to yourself and put the interests of others
above your own.
Be motivated out of a genuine desire to help others
and make the community a better place for all of us
to live.
Be committed to what you do and give it your all and
more if you have to.
Be open-minded and be prepared to learn and
discover what the world and life have to offer.
Be respectful and understanding in your dealings
with others.
Above all, be caring and compassionate and never
forget who you are and your humble beginnings.
No one is better than anyone else, and no one should
be.
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Never forget your role and responsibility as a
professional.
To the scientists, commit yourself to your field of
learning and never forget the human element in what
you do.
To the lawyers, be true to the law and ensure that all
are equal before the law and justice to all who seek
it and who should receive it.
Your duty to the profession, whether it is in law or
science, is paramount, and with it comes a
responsibility spawned by our heritage and learning,
nourished by our determination and principled
approach in what we do and defined by our endless
quest for excellence and to do good.
You have got where you are today through hard
work and dedication. You have declared to yourself
and to all around you the path that you have chosen
in life. You will leave today’s graduation ceremony
to embark on your real education. The theory you
have learnt will now be put into practice. It is all up
to you how far you wish to go and how you do it.
There is a Chinese saying: “Teachers open the door.
You enter by yourself.”
There is no reason why you cannot achieve great
things and make a major contribution not only to
your profession but also to the community.
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We sometimes overlook the important role we play
in setting the standards and the ideals which others
follow. Bear that in mind and know that you now
have an important role to play in your profession and
in the community.
Never forget the contribution and sacrifice that
others have made before and for you.
You are walking in the footsteps of many great
people who had dedicated themselves to the law or
to the particular field of science you are in.
Remember their legacy and make it yours.
Of course, you appreciate without the support and
encouragement of your parents and those close to
you, your road in life may have been very different.
The support they have given you and the sacrifices
they have made for you can never be repaid. But the
sense of pride and satisfaction that you are giving
them today makes this occasion also theirs.
I wish you well on the road ahead. It will be an
amazing journey and an extremely rewarding one.
But it is all up to you.
It is all about hard work and being dedicated to what
you do.
Keep your commitment to your work and to yourself
and maintain your sense of duty at all times.
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Strive to be better and ahead of the times.
Strive to be good in what you do, maintaining the
highest standards of integrity and honesty.
The results through honest and hard work are great
and provide no greater sense of satisfaction or
reward.
In your endeavours you should look beyond your
immediate objectives, and do not feel constrained or
limited in your pursuit of excellence and search for
professional fulfilment.
Nothing is impossible or beyond your reach if you
put your mind to it.
No problem so insurmountable that it cannot be
overcome.
There is no reason why you cannot achieve all that
you desire and more. All it takes is effort and
commitment.
Believe in yourself. Always do what you think is
right, because it invariably will be.
Pursue your goals to the end and never give up.
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To the lawyers, you will become members of an
honourable profession and future leaders of it.
Zealously guard the rule of law and our system of
justice.
Remember, you are the person that others turn to
when they have a problem and seek justice. You are
the person that the law turns to, to give it force and
meaning.
Speak up for what is right and just.
Stand up for the less fortunate and vulnerable.
Never forget what has been entrusted to you and
protect the fundamental rights and freedoms that are
guaranteed to all.
To the scientists, you are now entering fields of
learning where you can have significant bearing on
us and on our way of life. Never forget the power
that is in your hands and the impact that you can
have on others.
Respect and cherish your
knowledge and use it for the common good of all. It
is through science that as individuals and as a
community that we move forward and grow.
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C P Snow in his lectures on Science and
Government in 1960 in discussing the virtues and
importance of science said:
“For science, by its very nature, exists in history.
Any scientist realizes that his subject is moving in
time – that he knows incomparably more today than
better, cleverer, and deeper men did twenty years
ago. He knows that his pupils, in twenty years, will
know incomparably more than he does. Scientists
have it within them to know what a future–directed
society feels like, for science itself, in its human
aspect, is just that.”
At the end of the day no matter what you do and
where you are in life, it is all about mutual trust and
respect.
Respect what you do and the obligations and
responsibilities that come with it.
Respect others as you would want them to respect
you.
That should be your creed in your personal and
professional life.
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I am deeply indebted to Monash for all that I have
learnt and experienced in the time I was here as a
student. Like many others, Monash gave me a rich
foundation of learning and understanding to embark
upon a career in the law, both here and abroad. It
was at Monash that I was taught to critically
question and analyse matters and to think and look
beyond the boundaries. I was encouraged not to feel
constrained or limited in my pursuit of excellence
and quest for personal and professional fulfilment.
It was also at Monash that I learnt of the great
responsibility that comes with being a professional
where others depend upon you to help them in their
time of trouble.
I have never forgotten that experience at the
Springvale Legal Service.
It gave meaning and a human dimension to what I
had been taught and I have tried to pass it on to
young members of the profession in the hope that
they too will take full advantage of the licence given
to them to make a major contribution for the public
good in the practice of the law both locally and
internationally.
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I was not content to sit still. I was not content to
limit myself.
I sought new challenges and
experiences. I looked beyond my horizons. It was
not difficult to do. There is an extraordinary world
out there and the opportunities are many. All it
requires is a preparedness to reach out and learn, and
discover the rich tapestry of life and the professional
and learning opportunities that exist outside your
immediate circle.
For me the Law was not a means to make money. It
was a means to make a difference and to serve the
public good.
I hope you too realize your goals and full potential
in your life’s journey.
Once again congratulations, and I wish you well in
your future endeavours.
Thank you.