Not only has he clocked up 35 years in the job, he has also worked at 90 courthouses around the state, with his two longest stints at Port Macquarie and Kiama.

In that time, Neil has watched a steady stream of people come and go through every court house, some of them returning several times, and the changing face of crime as police work was paired with community awareness and engagement.

Technology he says, has undergone the biggest revolution and has now made a significant difference to the increasing strain on the court system.

Neil had no inclination to head to the big smoke after school in Kiama and has always been drawn to the lifestyle living regionally offers.

He started his career in the courts as a clerk before stepping up as a court officer between 1985 and 1989.

After that he was promoted to the statewide clerk of the local courts relieving role which saw him travel to all corners of the state.

He returned to a regionally based role in Nowra before landing the position of registrar at Kiama.

"When I started out we didn't even have a photocopier. I had to walk to the police station to use theirs. We also had an old style telephone system and typewriters with carbon paper, so learning to type became a high priority for me early on," Neil said.

"Back in those days I was the only man in the typing course. But being the only man in a typing class when I was 18 did have its advantages."

The paper days are long gone with the courts, correctional centres, legal aid offices and police stations now interlinked via an advanced audio-visual network across the state.

During this health pandemic, Port Macquarie court became one of the centralised bail court sites in New South Wales to ensure judicial processes could continue.

"This system is robust enough to ensure that people who have been refused bail still had access to the courts even if the entire state was in lockdown," Neil said.

"We became the regional hub from Forster to Coffs Harbour."

In his time, Neil said he has also seen community attitudes towards crime change. When he started in the courts, domestic violence was considered an act that had to be dealt with privately.

He has been an ambassador for White Ribbon Australia since 2007 and has actively advocated for domestic violence community awareness for more than a decade.

"It is recognised as a crime now and not a private matter that happens behind closed doors. Because the majority of offenders are male, it is important that men speak out against domestic violence," he said.

Neil does find respite from the seriousness of his workplace by immersing himself in his community.

It goes without saying he is a seasoned speaker, and this month it was made official.

As an active member of Toastmasters, Neil was awarded the coveted Advanced Communicator Gold status. He will soon also achieve the Distinguished Toastmaster Award, which is the highest level in Toastmasters International and one that takes several years to achieve.

"When I started at Port Macquarie Courthouse our magistrate, the late Tom Hodgson, invited me to join him at the Toastmasters meetings, to learn more about public speaking," Neil said.

"When you're a magistrate, no one gives you feedback on whether you're an effective speaker or not, which is why Tom joined Toastmasters. He didn't always win the club contests, but he became great at handing out warnings and talking off-the-cuff in court."

Members of Toastmasters are given random subjects to discuss for two minutes ad-lib.

"For instance I was asked to talk about the number 11. You can either go with your gut, list the pros and cons of why 11 is the best digit or link it to a personal story like 'I used to live at number 11' and try to make it as funny as you can," Neil said.

"Our youngest member is 18, and the oldest is 83 and she's really talented. In fact she won the last division contest and if she wins again she's going to the international convention ... if we can ever travel again."

Neil is also the area director of five Toastmasters clubs from Taree to Port Macquarie, with more than 80 members in total.

"One of our clubs does a lot of work with people with disabilities and special needs and I get a lot of satisfaction from that," Neil said.

He is also actively involved in the Wauchope-Bonny Hills Surf Life Saving Club and a regular blood donor.

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here.