New coroner sworn in

David Robinson is sworn in as a coroner by chief coroner Judge Deborah Marshall. Photo: Gregor...
David Robinson is sworn in as a coroner by chief coroner Judge Deborah Marshall. Photo: Gregor Richardson.
If it was up to Dunedin’s new coroner David Robinson, he would have put aside yesterday’s formalities and glowing tributes to "get on with things".

"I’m not big on being centre of attention," he told colleagues, friends and family.

But Mr Robinson had no choice in the ceremonial occasion at the Dunedin District Court’s trial courtroom yesterday when he was officially sworn in by chief coroner Judge Deborah Marshall.

In a short speech he thanked judges and colleagues — "You’ve knocked the rough edges off me" — and saved special praise for his wife and children.

"You guys are awesome, even if you do say in this gown I look like something from the Harry Potter movies," he said, referring to his  new blue-and-black robes.

Mr Robinson emphasised that  much of his life and his motivation was about "service".

Others who spoke in his favour also emphasised that sentiment. Diccon Sim, a former colleague and partner at law firm Gallaway Cook Allan, said while the event was a celebration of his achievement, it was also tinged with sadness because of the company’s loss.

Mr  Robinson had a lengthy stint as an ambulance officer, something Mr Sim believed would stand him in good stead for the new role, and had shown similar commitment in mentoring junior lawyers and as the Law Society’s Otago branch president.

While most senior practitioners spent their sabbatical focusing on relaxation, the new coroner had recently spent his writing a law text book on criminal procedure which was expected to be finished at the end of the year.

Colin Withnall QC said he "thoroughly enjoyed" the collaborations he had with Mr  Robinson.

He called theirs a "truly symbiotic relationship".

"You did all the work. I got all the credit," he quipped.

He had been so professional indeed that Mr Withnall had no embarrassing anecdotes to share.But Mr Sim stepped in with some more personal information about his ex-workmate.

"David may seem an unlikely guitar hero," he said.

"But at a recent Gallaway Cook Allan social event he showed he could strum the merry hell out of a six-string guitar."

He also revealed Mr  Robinson’s acceptance of the job came with one proviso — that he could head to France in a couple of months to catch not one, but two Phil Collins concerts.

Judge Marshall said the work would not cease once it started.

She told those gathered how the 17 coroners across the country were responsible for 5000 cases a year.

"The work is somewhat relentless in that regard," she said.

"It’s not an easy job but it’s a very rewarding one."

If former colleagues of Mr  Robinson could barely muster an ignominious tale, maybe his self-confessed "proud mum" Barbara could help.

Perhaps he was a tearaway as a child.

"Certainly not," she said.

"When he was a youngster, I was once told [my children] were the best behaved in Halfway Bush.

"I don’t know whether that was a compliment or not."

Would the new title and the flash new robes change her view of him?

"No," Mrs Robinson said.

"He’s always David."

rob.kidd@odt.co.nz

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