Mr Jagger has been a justice of the peace for more than 25 years and said it was a extremely rewarding position.

“Justices of the peace provide a voluntary service for witnessing documents, signing affidavits, powers of attorneys and certifying true copies,” he said.

“I got involved in 1970, I was a commissioner of affidavits at the time.

“Then in 1992 the govenrment abolished that role and if you wanted to continue as a volunteer the next step was to become a justice of the peace.

“So I’ve just clocked over 25 years.”

Mr Jagger said he enjoyed assisting people in the community.

“There is a reward in any voluntary work,” he said.

“It’s very rewarding especially doing power of attorneys and helping people making arranges for others to handle their affairs.

“Once the document is signed, I can see immediate relief for people finalising their arrangements.

“I enjoy the role, we only hope that people make these decisions earlier than they do – I’ve had to visit the hospital on quite a few occasions and that’s perhaps leaving it a bit late.”

Not only is Mr Jagger available for regular appointments to help people seeking his services, he is also always prepared to help out.

“I have two sets of stamps, one at work and a spare set I carry around in the car,” he said.

“I probably do more services out and about then I do in the office.

“I’m a mobile JP – always prepared like the Scouts.

“There is satisfaction in being always available, for instance I might be down at Wonwondah and many younger people these days with firearm licences need certification.”

Mr Jagger said most justices of the peace worked from home. “A lot of the ones in Horsham are retired but if someone isn’t familiar with streets of Horsham, can be difficult to find them,” he said.

Mr Jagger said it was important people got involved in the community.

He is also a trustee of the Pimpinio cemetery and chairman of the Wimmera Nursing Home Support Group.

“Some of the service clubs are struggling for members from what I can gather – it’s important we get involved,” he said.

The work of a justice of the peace varies from week to week. “Some weeks it can involve up to five hours of work and then the next week you might not have any inquiries,” Mr Jagger said.

“Power of attorneys can take up to two hours, it’s a very complicated procedure and you have to be very careful – it’s a important legal document and in a lot of cases it involves medical information as well.”

Horsham has about 15 justices of the peace, but Mr Jagger said they were always looking for more.

”There has to be a shortage before the department will consider making appointments,” he said.

“We do put names forward for suggestions – when an elderly justice of the peace retires or passes on, it leaves a gap in the community and we point it out to the department.

“For example, there might be no JPs in the Goroke area, meaning people have to travel.

“We keep an eye on that and advise the department if there is a gap in the area.”

Mr Jagger said the role also involved ongoing training as laws changed.

“People have to be genuine and interested,” he said.

“But everyone I have spoken to are pleased they have gone through the training procedure and become a JP.”

He said changes to training had also affected the number of justices in the region.

“A lot of the training has to be done online now and some of the older JPs don’t have access to it,” he said.

“Unfortunately, some people retired as a result of that and that’s left a few gaps in the community.”

Mr Jagger said anyone needing to talk to a justice of the peace could contact Horsham Rural City Council. 

“We also have a signing centre at the library every Wednesday from 10am to 1pm,” he said.