Justice Stephen Donaghue was welcomed by the legal profession in a ceremony on 16 February.
The former Solicitor General of Australia was joined on the bench by Chief Justice Richard Niall, Court of Appeal President Justice Karin Emerton, Justice Kris Walker and Justice Rowena Orr.
Justices Niall, Walker and Orr are all former Solicitors General of Victoria.
Justice Donaghue said he would strive to discharge his role fairly, independently, respectfully of the parties and their representatives, and as quickly as is reasonably possible.
“I am looking forward to engaging with the wide range of legal questions that arise in the general jurisdiction of this court and hearing cases involving all facets of the life of the Victorian community,” he said.
“The prospect of engaging with new subject matter is less daunting than would otherwise be the case because I will be sitting with, and having the opportunity to learn from, the exceptional lawyers who constitute this court.
“I am very honoured to have been given the opportunity to serve with them.”
Justice Donaghue said he appreciated the attendance of High Court Chief Justice Stephen Gageler and High Court Justices Michelle Gordon, Simon Steward and Jacqueline Gleeson, Federal Court Chief Justice Debbie Mortimer, Federal Circuit and Family Court Chief Justice Will Alstergren, County Court Chief Judge Amanda Chambers and a number of judges from across the country.
Justice Donaghue thanked his family for their support over his extensive career, which has included a Doctorate from Oxford University, reading with now-Justice James Elliott, and nine years as Solicitor-General, during which he advised three Prime Minister and five Attorneys General.
“Thank you all for coming. Your presence does me and the Court a great honour and I will do my best to be worthy of it in the years ahead,” he said.