WAYNE Evans vowed years ago if he reached any position of authority in court, he would do his utmost to treat people as people.
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People would not be treated as statistics in the courtroom where he had any power.
When he made the undertaking, Mr Evans aspired to become a prosecutor. He did just that and more.
Mr Evans retired late last after 25 years as a magistrate and 22 years as a police officer.
He was recognised in the Australia Day honours list with a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division for service to the law and to the Mid-North Coast community.
"I was humbled that this committee would award this honour on me," he said.
Mr Evans emphasised the teamwork behind his achievements.
"Nothing I have achieved I could have done on my own," he said.
Mr Evans was the first ex-policeman be to appointed to the bench and in his early days as a magistrate presided over courts across NSW.
"The then chief magistrate and I decided he would spread me out so NSW could get used to me a little at a time," he said.
He found it amazing to compare the different communities and the way the law was interpreted quite uniquely. Mr Evans was a barrister, he has prosecuted and defended.
"Then I had the opportunity to sit on the fence and watch the combatants display their skills in front of me," he said.
Although at times he wanted to jump down into the arena, Mr Evans said his background helped him that on occasion, he could subtly correct the balance of justice without anyone knowing it.
"It also meant that neither the defence or prosecution was willing to try to pull the wool over my eyes."
The Port Macquarie court circuit was Mr Evans' patch from 1997 to 2008, followed by the Kempsey court circuit from 2009.
Mr Evans retired late last year. As for the future, Mr Evans is "treading lightly" to see how he can fit in various ventures without losing a private life.
His achievements include introducing circle sentencing to the Dunghutti and Gumbayngirr people with the support of chief magistrate Graeme Henson and former chief magistrate Justice Derek Price.
Mr Evans was a founding committee member with the Power of Choice and was instrumental in establishing the Traffic Offenders Program.
Mr Evans is also a Hastings Cancer Trust trustee and Sailability Port Macquarie president.
He said there were young people regularly attending Sailability who were starting to socialise better and gain confidence.
