Barrister, Ned Kelly buff and Williamstown Football Club’s longest-serving president Trevor Monti talks to Goya Dmytryshchak
What’s your connection to Hobsons Bay?
I have lived in Williamstown since 1980, having been coerced in to moving from Carlton by my good friend, Wally Curran – former secretary of the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union – who continuously extolled the virtues of Williamstown to the extent that I could no longer resist.
It is the best advice I have ever received.
What do you love about Williamstown?
There are many attractive features about Williamstown including, of course, being situated on the bay and having ease of access to the pleasures of the bay. There is still a very healthy population of native birds, which I enjoy, and, although it is not the village it was when I moved to Williamstown in 1980, it still retains some village atmosphere. I also have derived great enjoyment from my association with the Williamstown Football Club.
What would you change about it?
The first thing I would do would be to conduct a campaign to annihilate the pest of all pests, Indian Mynas, who are taking over the suburb and driving out native species. I would also like to see more classy restaurants in Williamstown.
What’s your fondest memory about living here?
I have many fond memories of living in Williamstown, and having two children and seeing them successfully educated. I recall the meeting at the Williamstown town hall, at which Joan Kirner attended, when the Williamstown Football Club was saved from extinction, and I will never forget being president of the Williamstown Football Club when the club won the 2015 VFL premiership as a stand-alone club, overcoming all odds including the professional and elite AFL clubs that form part of the competition.
How did your interest in Ned Kelly come about?
In 1980, when I was a young barrister, I had already developed an interest in the history of the Kelly gang. 1980 was the 100 year centenary of the execution of Ned Kelly, and I was asked by the editor of the Bar News if I would be prepared to research and write an article about the trial of Ned. I did so, and I was given access to the original records associated with his trial, including the original notes of evidence, the prosecutor’s brief, the notes of the judge, plus many other artefacts associated with his trial.
It was then that I understood that Ned Kelly had been wrongly convicted and had a sound defence to the charge of which he was convicted and executed, but that defence, regrettably, was never put on his behalf because of the inexperience of his barrister, who was bullied by the trial judge, Sir Redman Barry.
What makes you laugh?
Quick repertoire and witty responses in conversation at any level whether social, recreational, professional or legal. To me laughing is one of the most vital elements of life. There should be legislation to compel every citizen to laugh at least once per minute, 365 days of the year, failing which lengthy terms of imprisonment should be imposed.
