KCP - Catholic Diocese of Broome

Brian John Singleton was the first of three children, the elder son of Keith and Meg Singleton of Subiaco. The family home was warm and welcoming “a friendly place, the front door always open, the kettle always on the boil”, said long time friend, Judge Kevin Hammond.

Brian was educated at Christian Brothers’ College Highgate and then Aquinas College. Finally, he enrolled at St Thomas More College, Crawley where he was one of the foundation students in 1955 and held Office as the first Student President.

After first considering a career in the Army, Brian turned his attention to studying Law and very soon became interested in Criminal Law as the area of practice in which he would one day excel. “His court craft was outstanding” said Judge Hammond “He was a master when dealing with juries. There are countless stories of Brian in the Courts. But I can remember him very clearly in Kalgoorlie …. referring back to his mother while addressing the jury and then quoting his mother giving some homespun piece of advice. However as he mentioned his mother he did in an aside state ‘She was born and bred in Boulder’, and the jurors nodded understandingly. His wit, not only in the courtroom but elsewhere was legendary”.

Brian was admitted to the independent Bar in 1973 and became a Queen’s Counsel in 1986. He was especially noted during his career or his generous assistance to younger people in his profession who surely benefitted from his ready advice and careful tuition.

In Broome, a favourite town he visited so regularly that he was regarded almost as a local, Brian became a recognised champion for those who found themselves impossibly in trouble with the Law. His skills and counsel were appreciated by many people – both those in the courtroom and those out of it. A magistrate in Broome once described him as “absolutely devastating in cross examination, with
a memory like a trap”.

Besides serving as Honorary Legal Adviser to the Broome Turf Club, Brian took an ardent interest in the people of the town. He is fondly remembered for his
outrageous sense of humour and despite his bold insistence that “all people are innocent until proven broke”, the number of times he gave his services pro bono to
those in need is renowned.

A man of great faith, Brian served God and Church in a devoted manner. He was a religious person who drew strength from the Mass and readily admitted his reliance on prayer for sustenance and strength. His choice of the hymns for his funeral – Faith of Our Fathers and Soul of my Saviour was indicative of his active Catholic
life.

Brian is survived by his siblings Margaret and Keith, his wife Bev and their children Christian, Adrienne, Megan, Peter and their spouses and eight grandchildren.

Brian was buried from St Mary’s Cathedral in Perth with a huge crowd of mourners in attendance. A requiem Mass was celebrated by Bishop Christopher Saunders of Broome and five other priest friends. Bishop Saunders said of Brian, “He was particularly notable for his loyalty and his lasting ability to maintain friendships with
many people no matter their background. As a man of character he
stood above the crowd but he never looked down on anyone”.
— MAY HE REST IN PEACE.