Meet Maria and Irene
Two Queensland sisters, nearly 100 years as JPs and Cdecs
It's Queensland Law Week—and this year we're recognising the people powering justice across our state.
Two of those people are sisters Maria Masselos and Irene Maras. Between them they have dedicated nearly 100 years to volunteer service as Justices of the Peace (JPs) and a Commissioner for Declarations (Cdec)—quietly helping their communities navigate the official paperwork of everyday life.
Their story starts in a Greek cafe in regional New South Wales, with their father, a man known for his service to others, named Tony Feros.
A father, a quiet example
‘Our dad was a very community-minded person, and he was a JP,’ Maria says. ‘It was just a natural progression that we would do that too.’
Maria became a JP first, in New South Wales, in the late 1950s. By the time she'd moved to North Queensland with her own family to run a cafe, she could still witness documents that required a New South Wales JP—but not Queensland ones.
It wasn't until the family moved to Brisbane in 1975 that the next step came, encouraged by Maria's local member of parliament at the time.
‘He suggested that I become a JP in Queensland,’ Maria says. ‘That happened in 1980.’
When the requirements for Justices of the Peace changed years later, Maria decided to step sideways to Commissioner for Declarations—a role she still holds today—stamp at the ready.
A bridge for the Greek community
For much of her time in North Queensland, well before the official services that exist today, Maria found herself doing something else as well: translating.
‘There weren't many official translators,’ she says. ‘I was called on a few times to translate either for somebody going to the doctor, somebody in hospital, helping write a notice from the school to my Greek-speaking migrant parents. It was just something you did.’
Now based in Brisbane, Maria helps members of the local Greek community֫—particularly elderly residents—understand official forms and witness documents. When they need more, she points them in the direction of the Greek Orthodox Community of St George.
She's also careful about the boundaries of the role itself. Witnessing a signature is a specific act, and Maria takes it seriously.
‘People would come to me and say, 'Will you witness my signature?' And they'd start explaining to me what the form was about. And I'd say, 'I don't want to know anything about that. The only thing I'm here for is to witness that you have signed that. It's none of my business.'‘
Confidentiality, she says, is everything.
Irene, 50 years of service in Brisbane
Maria's sister Irene took the same path, in Queensland.
Irene was appointed a JP on 18 July 1965, back when she and her husband were running a corner store in Brisbane. She served for more than 50 years, witnessing statutory declarations and helping neighbours and members of the local Greek community with the paperwork that comes with everyday life.
Some of her neighbours had children with disabilities, and getting out of the house to find a JP was a logistical challenge.
‘It was a real hassle for them to go somewhere for somebody to do it,’ Irene says. ‘So, I volunteered to do that.’
She received her 50-year certificate before retiring from the role.
‘No work is too humble’
When asked about the values that have shaped their service, both sisters point back to the same place—home. ‘We were always taught to love, always be honest, not only to ourselves but to everybody else,’ Irene says. ‘And kindness—always be kind to somebody if you can, because what goes around comes around.’ Their father had a favourite quote, one they both still carry.
‘No work is too humble for anybody to do,’ Maria says. ‘But just make sure your hands are always clean—which means that they're not involved in any underhand or untoward things.’
Faith, family, and a strong sense of community have been the constants, and they're quick to credit their parents.
‘Good role models,’ Irene says. ‘Practical.’
About Justices of the Peace and Commissioners for Declarations
Queensland has around 80,000 registered Justices of the Peace and Commissioners for Declarations across the state. Volunteer JPs and Cdecs witness documents, certify copies, and provide other free services in their local communities—keeping access to justice close to home.
Find out more about JPs and Cdecs in Queensland.