Graeme Johnstone
Encyclopedia
Graeme Johnstone was the state coroner
of Victoria, Australia from 1994-2007. He retired on 29 November 2007, and was replaced by Judge Jennifer Coate
. He is noted for often personally visiting the scenes of deaths that fall within his jurisdiction.
He has held inquests into many famous deaths. He found that the Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt
drowned in the ocean near Portsea
. This disappointed advocates of conspiracy theories, such as the hypothesis that he was kidnapped by a Russian submarine . He has also held a long-running series of inquests into the death of Jaidyn Leskie.
Upon his retirement, Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls
praised Johnstone for his outstanding commitment to investigating deaths in custody. Johnstone will be coming out of retirement in February 2008 for the conclusion of the inquest into the disappearance and death of Louise and Charmian Faulkner
who went missing in 1980.
He enjoys meals, notably sweets, with his favourite being a Double Decker. He is renowned as well for liking orange MD 20/20 and a bowl of custard when suffering the aftershocks the morning after.
Johnstone attended Monash University
, where he obtained a Bachelor of Laws
and a Bachelor of Jurisprudence.
Coroner
A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...
of Victoria, Australia from 1994-2007. He retired on 29 November 2007, and was replaced by Judge Jennifer Coate
Jennifer Coate
Jennifer Coate is an Australian judge, and the current State Coroner of Victoria. She is the first woman to be appointed to the position. Until 2006, she served as the first President of the Children's Court of Victoria.-Early life:...
. He is noted for often personally visiting the scenes of deaths that fall within his jurisdiction.
He has held inquests into many famous deaths. He found that the Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt
Harold Holt
Harold Edward Holt, CH was an Australian politician and the 17th Prime Minister of Australia.His term as Prime Minister was brought to an early and dramatic end in December 1967 when he disappeared while swimming at Cheviot Beach near Portsea, Victoria, and was presumed drowned.Holt spent 32 years...
drowned in the ocean near Portsea
Portsea, Victoria
Portsea is a resort town located across Port Phillip from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Mornington Peninsula....
. This disappointed advocates of conspiracy theories, such as the hypothesis that he was kidnapped by a Russian submarine . He has also held a long-running series of inquests into the death of Jaidyn Leskie.
Upon his retirement, Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls
Rob Hulls
Rob Justin Hulls has been a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly since 1996, representing the electorate of Niddrie. As well as previously serving as the Deputy Premier of Victoria, he was also the state Attorney-General and Minister for Racing.Rob Hulls was born in Melbourne and was...
praised Johnstone for his outstanding commitment to investigating deaths in custody. Johnstone will be coming out of retirement in February 2008 for the conclusion of the inquest into the disappearance and death of Louise and Charmian Faulkner
Louise and Charmian Faulkner disappearance
Louise Yvonne Faulkner and Charmian Christabel Alexis Faulkner were a mother and daughter who disappeared without a trace from outside their residence at 39 Acland St, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia in 1980...
who went missing in 1980.
He enjoys meals, notably sweets, with his favourite being a Double Decker. He is renowned as well for liking orange MD 20/20 and a bowl of custard when suffering the aftershocks the morning after.
Johnstone attended Monash University
Monash University
Monash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
, where he obtained a Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
and a Bachelor of Jurisprudence.