Fred Kirkham

Fred Kirkham (1937 - 2007) was an Australian Olympic-level rower, songwriter and Judge.

Early life

Kirkham was born in Sydney and attended Newington College (1945-1953) [Newington College Register of Past Students 1863-1998 (Syd, 1999) pp 13 ] . During his adolescence he was known as Fred Benfield but reverted to his mother's maiden name as an adult.

Police career

From 1955, Kirkham served as a member of the New South Wales Police Force and became a police prosecutor.

Olympic representation

At the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Victoria, Kirkham rowed in the Bronze medal winning Men's Eight.

Police career

For twenty years Kirkham served as a member of the New South Wales Police Force and became a police prosecutor.

Music career

In 1963, Kirkham co-wrote The Delltones' hit song Hangin' Five with Ben Acton. [Pop Archives [http://www.poparchives.com.au/feature.php?id=926] ]

Legal career

He was admitted to the New South Wales Bar in 1974 and practiced mainly in the area of personal injury. After 14 years at the Bar he was appointed a Judge of the District Court of New South Wales in 1988 where he served until his retirement. [Bar News/The Journal of the NSW Bar Association (Syd, 2008) pp 78 ] .

Community activities

He served as President of the Old Newingtonians' Union at the time of its Centenary (1995-1996). [Newington Across the Years, A History of Newington College 1863 - 1998 (Syd, 1999) pp 347 ]

References