Yesterday was the first day of retirement for Mr Irvine after almost 25 years practicing as a solicitor with the old established Lithgow legal firm of Higgins and Higgins.

Mr Irvine came to Lithgow from the Riverina as a young man almost 40 years ago to take up the position of what was then termed Chamber Magistrate (now Registrar) at the Lithgow Court House.

He said it was intended to be a relatively short stay but he got to like his adopted town and has remained here ever since, raising his family with wife Inga.

In 1985 he left the Attorney General’s Department to join Higgins and Higgins after completing his Solicitors Admission Board examinations.

Mr and Mrs Irvine were tendered a farewell presentation at the Court House Hotel bistro.

Principal of the firm, Ross Higgins, said Mr Irvine has resisted efforts to talk him out of retirement.

He said Mr Irvine had specialised in crime, Family Law and Legal Aid matters and was ‘the human face of the practice’.

Although Mr Irvine is now officially retired and looking forward to extensive caravan touring he will continue part time in his professional role for a time while completing a number of outstanding cases.