The territory's newest magistrate started his working life washing clothes; now he will take an active role cleaning up crime.
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Magistrate Robert Cook started on the bench last month, but the court officially welcomed him in a ceremonial sitting at the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday morning.
Mr Cook took the spot vacated by David Mossop when he took on the role of ACT Supreme Court master earlier this year.
Dignitaries and guests heard Mr Cook had worked as a dry cleaner, bar tender and waiter in Queensland before joining the Air Force as a loadmaster on Iroquois helicopters in 1976.
He studied law while in service and was admitted in 1993.
After leaving the RAAF in 1996, Mr Cook became a partner in two law firms, specialising in employment law, and work, health and safety law as a barrister.
He has worked with the Australian Industrial Relations Society and was the deputy president of the ACT Racing Appeals Tribunal.
Attorney-General Simon Corbell said Mr Cook's vast experience in several fields would be an asset to the Magistrates Court bench.
