Michael 'Mick' Dubourg of Melville & Hicks Lawyers, recently celebrated his 60th anniversary as a practising lawyer.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Michael DuBourg was admitted to practise law on April 1, 1966, a date usually reserved for pranks.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
But for the man known across the region as Mick, it marked the start of a career that has spanned six decades, several firm evolutions and the transformation of Echuca and Moama from quiet villages into bustling regional towns.
As part of Victorian Law Week, which runs from May 18 to 24, The Riv spoke to Mick about his 60 years of legal practice, which was marked the way any milestone should be celebrated: with cake.
Having grown up in the regional Victorian town of Maryborough, Mick had always hoped he’d return to the country to practise after graduating from his law degree at Melbourne University on March 12, 1965.
Following university, after completing his 12-month Articles of Clerkship, he then spent a brief stint working in Melbourne and suburbs.
However, the city couldn’t compete with the “country vibe”, and shortly after, he arrived in Echuca in 1969 and never looked back.
From firms AJ Mitchell and Son to Mitchell McKenzie and Co, Dawes and Vary, Dawes and Vary Riordan to his current firm, Melville and Hicks, Mick has been part of the ever-changing legal landscape in Echuca for 57 years.
“In that time, I’ve been sitting in the same seat basically, but the firms have revolved around me,” he said.
These days, Mick DuBourg works mainly on wills and estates.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Throughout his career, he worked on property and land development, residential subdivisions, and served as the trusted legal counsel to the City of Echuca Council, followed by Campaspe Shire Council.
His focus has since shifted in recent years, as he currently works mainly on wills and estates.
“With all the old clients I’ve had for you know, 50 years, it’s always a pleasure to still be there for them,” he said.
Over his six decades of practice, Mick has adapted to computerisation and witnessed many changes to the law, noting the importance of the introduction of capital gains tax and the development of self-managed superannuation funds.
He has also mentored several local legal minds, including the likes of Jeff Toll, Victor Hamit, Simon Libbis, Tony Lawler, Jeff Waters, Simon Nunan and Leanne Schuyler.
Mick’s impact extends far beyond the legal scene and to the local community, where he served as the president of the Echuca Cricket Association and the Echuca Regional Development Society.
His 18-year commitment as a board member of the Echuca hospital earned him the prestigious title of life governor — an honour he is very proud of.
Reflecting on his milestone, Mick said he never imagined he’d reach it.
“You wonder where the 60 years has gone,” he said.
During Law Week, free legal information sessions on wills and the importance of having a power of attorney in place will be held across Campaspe Shire.
The Law Week 2025 sessions will be held on Tuesday, May 19 at Tongala library at 10.30am, Echuca library at 1pm and Kyabram library and community hub at 1pm; Rushworth library on Thursday, May 21 at 10.30am and Rochester library and service centre on Friday, May 22 at 10.30am.
16°C