Meet the Team
Your Local Experts
Martin graduated from Monash University with degrees in Economics and Law and was admitted to practice in 1983. After beginning his legal career working for a major Melbourne law firm, he then spent 18 months in the U.S.A. working for a New York based property development corporation.
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Returning to Melbourne he then spent the next 4 years as an associate in a boutique commercial practice before “a happy series of accidents led to Mansfield”. He did the tree change before the experience was invented.
Martin has a wealth of knowledge and experience ranging across property and planning law, commercial disputes and litigation, wills and estates, succession planning. He also has over 30 years’ experience in criminal and civil court appearance work across the region.
Martin has been a Shire Councillor as well as having served on various local committees and boards over the years, and currently sits as a board member for Mansfield Autism Statewide Services (MASS) and as a stakeholder representative on the Mt Buller Mt Stirling Management Board. He believes it is important and rewarding to roll up your sleeves outside your work-space.
Outside work, he is a long time and frequently disappointed Melbourne Supporter, a sometime bike rider and trail runner and otherwise enjoys getting into the mountains when he can.
Stuart came to the firm in early August 2016 on the retirement of the then Senior Partner, Tony Williams and on 1 September 2016, Stuart entered the partnership with Martin.
Stuart's wider family has lived and farmed in the Yea, Alexandra and Mansfield districts since the nineteenth century. Having been schooled at Alexandra primary and secondary schools in his earlier years, Stuart completed his secondary and tertiary education in Melbourne, graduating in Arts and Law from the University of Melbourne.
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Having effectively spent 43 years in Melbourne, Stuart’s life has gone full circle.
Stuart's legal background had been in commercial litigation and commercial law and insolvency, having been Articled to Rigby & Fielding (now Rigby Cooke)
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Stuart has three adult children who are working and studying in Melbourne and enjoy the opportunity to visit the Upper Goulburn District from time to time. Stuart was variously a member and President of their primary school council and secondary school parent’s association, as well as being a committee member and President of the alumni association (and council) of his College at University, together with involvement in other community groups.
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Locally, Stuart has served two terms as President of the Mansfield Rotary Club (2019-2021), is a board member of Beolite Village Limited, a member of the Anglican Parish of St John and a Deputy Advocate and Trustee of the Diocese of Wangaratta.
Notwithstanding the differences between city and rural practice, Stuart’s commercial law background has equipped him well thus far for the diverse practice Williams Hunt has. Stuart is based in the Mansfield office, and also normally attends the Yea Office each Tuesday and Thursday.
Tony was admitted to practice in 1975 after completing Law and Economics degrees at Monash University and has been a Partner in the firm since 1985. You can be confident that his years of experience hold Tony in good stead. He has broad experience in Property Law including Wills, Probate, Business and Commercial matters.
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Tony is highly active in the community having served on several boards over his time in Mansfield. He is currently vice Chair of Beolite Village Limited which operates a “not for profit” retirement village in Mansfield.
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Tony is married to a fourth-generation local, Margaretanne Hood. His two boys, Sam and Alex, were born and educated in Mansfield but shunned the law to become Engineers, to some degree reflecting Tony’s own Maths/Science background.
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He now works for the firm on a part-time consultancy basis.
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He has now stepped back from his role as Partner and continues to work for the firm as a Consultant.
Susan was admitted to Practice in 1992 after graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws. Susan began her legal career at Galbally & O’Bryan in Melbourne, before relocating to the country and finally settling in the North East, where she practiced in Benalla, before joining Williams Hunt in Mansfield in 2004.
Susan is a practitioner with a depth of experience and expertise, particularly in the areas of Family and De facto law matters, Will Disputes and other General Litigation matters.
Susan is well practiced in all areas of dispute resolution relating to these most intense and difficult areas of law. Susan believes to practice effectively in these areas, you need someone with balance and good judgment, who will give straight forward advice.
Susan strives to be approachable, available, compassionate, and fair minded to all of her clients. Susan also works diligently to resolve all matters in a timely and cost effective and efficient manner.
When Susan is not attending to her clients’ needs, she enjoys all kinds of outdoor pursuits including running, bushwalking and is a very keen gardener. Susan is married to a local farmer and has two active teenagers.
Christina Ratten
Wills & Estates
MANSFIELD OFFICE
Christina is our Probate Clerk in our Mansfield Office.
Christina joined our firm in April 2019 having worked in the legal industry for many years in Melbourne and Gippsland. She has extensive experience.
Christina has a wealth of knowledge of the legal system, extensive experience, and now specialises in Estates, Wills and Powers of Attorney.
Her hobbies include snow skiing, and the great outdoors in both Summer & Winter, embracing all Mansfield and its surrounds have to offer.
Belinda Caldow
Conveyancing
MANSFIELD OFFICE
Belinda is one of our Senior Clerks in our Mansfield Office.
Belinda has worked in the legal profession for more than 30 years.
Belinda has a depth of experience and knowledge in a wide range of practice areas including conveyancing, criminal, business, leasing, and litigation, which is matched by her friendly and professional approach.
She has been with the firm since moving here in January 2007.
When not at work, Belinda pursues her lifetime passion for horses.
Tania Day
Conveyancing
YEA OFFICE
Tania is our Conveyancing and General Clerk in our Yea Office.
Tania has been a part of the team at Williams Hunt & Bett since 2014.
Tania comes from a finance/banking background having worked both here and overseas for many years before settling in the area with her young family.
Along with Jess, Tania manages conveyancing matters alongside other general matters.
Tania lives in the Highlands running a sheep and cattle farm with her husband and two boys.
Jess Robinson
Conveyancing
YEA OFFICE
Jess is one of our Conveyancing Clerks in our Yea Office.
Jess has extensive experience in conveyancing and property development areas after working for a law firm in South East Melbourne including managing their Conveyancing Department.
Jess relocated to Cathkin to establish a better work life balance and to be closer to her family.
Jess is now settled in our Yea Office.
Outside work you will find Jess on the farm or with a team of show horses travelling and competing in shows around Victoria.
Catherine Fogarty
Wills & Estates
ALEXANDRA OFFICE
Catherine is our experienced legal assistant based in Yea and Alexandra.
Catherine specializes in Estates, Wills, Powers of Attorney and Leasing for both Offices.
Catherine started her working life in Melbourne assisting a building development legal department for several years, before working with the Australian Council of Trade Unions where she assisted in the formation of industry superannuation and various other departments (such as working women, building and health services).
Locally, Catherine has also worked in many different industries, including community health and aged care, and has had contact with many community members and organisations in both work and voluntary roles.
Catherine gets much satisfaction working through Estate matters with clients. Catherine strives to make our clients feel confident that they are being well looked after, at a time when they need support and guidance, working through a process which can be both emotional and complex.
Ash Quinlivan
Receptionist & Admin Support
MANSFIELD OFFICE
Ash is our receptionist in the Mansfield Office. She plays an integral role in co-ordinating correspondence among our three offices. Ash also provides administration support to the partners and other members of the team.
She has spent most of her working years providing administration in the Aged Care, Health & Education fields.
Ash moved from the Mornington Peninsula in 2020 with her family to provide a more relaxed upbringing for her young boys.
In her spare time, Ash loves taking her boys on adventures, cooking, gardening, and exercising.
Kerry Pitcher
Conveyancing & General Clerk
MANSFIELD OFFICE
Kerry is part of our Conveyancing Team and General Clerks in our Mansfield Office.
Kerry has a varied background in large corporates, professional services firms and the education sector, having worked in Melbourne for many years before relocating to the North East for a different lifestyle.
Kerry works closely with Belinda on conveyancing, property and general matters.
Outside of work, Kerry enjoys looking after her horses and her dog, being involved in her local community and travelling.
Julie Hilder
Accounts Clerk
ALEXANDRA OFFICE
Julie is our Accounts Clerk across our three offices and based in Alexandra.
She joined our firm in December 2021 and comes to us with extensive and broad knowledge of Administration and Accounting.
In Julies down time, she likes to spend time at home with her family as well as maintain the bookkeeping for her partners business.
