In recognition for his service as a judge and law reform commissioner, Mr Wilcox was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in yesterday’s Australia Day honours — one of few Federal Court judges to receive the achievement.

Perhaps best known for his contributions to law reform in the areas of environmental, native title and industrial law, Mr Wilcox has been pivotal in many important judicial decisions of our time.

Among his achievements, Mr Wilcox resided as judge of the Federal court from 1984-2006, was a founding convenor of the Equality and the Law Committee, and was judge of the Supreme Court of the ACT from 1984-2006.

He has held the office of Chief Justice of the Industrial Relations court of Australia from 1994-1997, and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1977.

Throughout his career in law, Mr Wilcox has been involved in some contentious rulings, including his handing down the controversial Noongar Native Title ruling a fortnight before retiring.

For Mr Wilcox, who now resides in Leura, it has all been in a day’s work.

“Was I outspoken? Yes,” he said.

“I have been prepared to say what I think. I called a spade a spade when I was deciding on a case.”

Among the highlights of his time on the bench, Mr Wilcox sites the 1998 Australian waterfront dispute, in which a major stevedoring operation, the Patrick group of companies, sought to replace its largely unionised workforce with a non-union workforce, as one of his most “dramatic” experiences.

“It was an amazing case. There must have been thousands picketing in the street,” Mr Wilcox said.

Mr Wilcox said he has seen big changes and improvements in his time, including recent proposed changes to the Freedom of Information act.

Since his retirement just over three years ago, Mr Wilcox was appointed as commissioner for the Victorian Office of Police Integrity, and is the current chairman of the Environmental Defenders Office in NSW.

He is also the foundation president of the Environment Law Association and has been the president of the Australian Conservation Foundation.

“I don’t find it difficult filling my days,” he said.