The Old Paradians’ Association was saddened to hear of the recent passing of Michael Crennan KC from the Matriculation Class of 1962. Michael was Dux of Humanities in that year and went on to a distinguished legal and academic career. See below notice from the Victorian Bar Association on Michael’s passing.

Below is a copy of the Obituary for Michael available on the Victoria Bar website - https://www.vicbar.com.au/Web/...

Obituary — Dr Michael J. Crennan KC

23 October 2025

It is with deep regret that the Bar informs members of the death of Dr Michael J. Crennan KC.

Michael was born on 2 May 1945 and grew up in Yarraville, Victoria.

He attended CBC East Melbourne and attained numerous academic awards. Michael attended University of Melbourne where he attained a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours and Master of Arts on James Joyce’s Ulysses. After an academic career at University of Melbourne and University of New South Wales he attained his Bachelor of Laws from University of Melbourne. He later completed a Bachelor of Letters in History and a Doctorate on the reception of Tacitus.

Following a stint as the Crown Instructor to the Victorian Crown Solicitor, Michael was called to the Bar in 1982. Whilst maintaining a busy practice in commercial and in particular, competition law, Michael’s contributions to the Victorian Bar were significant. He served on the Bar Council, the Ethics Committee, the Essoign Advisory Panel, the Law Council of Australia and he chaired the Counsel Committee. He was also a Victorian Bar conciliator for sexual harassment and vilification.

Michael took silk in 2000.

He worked on a number of major projects for the Victorian Bar including the Justice Department consultation on the then new Legal Profession Act, the consultation process for the then new High Court Rules and the Bar’s submissions on Advocate’s Immunity. In many of these endeavours he worked closely with John Barnard QC.

In addition, with Xavier Connor QC, Michael successfully argued for the importance and survival of an independent bar in Victoria in a comprehensive review entitled Access to Justice whilst it was under significant attack from external threats. He also made substantial revision to the Bar Rules at around that time.

Michael retired from the Bar in 2006 and embarked on his PhD in Roman History, as mentioned above, designed and taught a course in Comparative Law at the Australian Catholic University and engaged in other academic pursuits.

Michael died peacefully at home on 18 October 2025, aged 80.

A funeral service was held at Newman College Chapel, Swanston Street, Parkville on Friday, 31 October 2025