Every month, hundreds of promising legal minds around the country apply to court to be admitted to practice law.

And while many are only at the start of their careers, one South Australian man has attended the ceremony before the Supreme Court on his 74th birthday.


"I've had some interesting birthdays, but this one tops the lot," he said.

Mr Looker left school at 15 and spent a few years driving tractors, before a 35-year career as a science teacher and then a stint working in local government.

He was also awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2003 for his service to youth through the development of outdoor recreation and camping programs with the YMCA.


But when he retired, he was keen to pick up a hobby.

"I'm not a fisherman or a golfer, so why not go back to uni and run up a HECS debt?" he said.

Mr Looker said he did not have much of a plan for his law degree, focusing on subjects that caught his interest.


"All of a sudden I'm finished, and they sent me an email saying I'm about to graduate," he said.

Mr Looker joked that he "kept away from the pub crawls".

The most recent available national data from the federal education department found around 3,300 students over 60 started a higher education degree in 2023, making up about 0.05 per cent of new students — a rate that has remained steady for the past decade.


And Law Council of Australia data from last year showed about 1 per cent of lawyers in South Australia were still practising past the age of 75.

While the South Australian Law Society could not confirm if Mr Looker was the oldest new lawyer in the state's history, president Marissa Mackie commended him for his pursuit.

"Mr Looker's worldly experience and history of community service, combined with his newly acquired legal credentials, will be ideal for his role in enhancing access to justice for those who need it most," she said.

'Very proud' moment for family and friends​

Lawyers-to-be need a current lawyer to vouch for them at their admission ceremony and for Mr Looker, that lawyer was Richard Tran.

"It's a ceremony role, but it's really meaningful," Mr Tran said.

The pair met in law school and formed a bond despite the 50-year age gap.


"He's always been caring towards me, taught me things about fixing cars, like little stuff that fathers teach their son," Mr Tran, who moved to Australia from Vietnam in 2017, said.

Mr Looker taught Mr Tran to drive and said he "sort of adopted him as my fourth child".

Mr Looker said he does not intend to make a living as a lawyer, but will continue to volunteer at a not-for-profit legal service.

"My degree will be applied to helping those who are disadvantaged," he said.
"I'll do that as long as I'm able and don't lose the plot."

His dad, Don Looker — who is 102 and served in World War II — said he was shocked when he found out his son was studying again and noted how special the timing of the admission ceremony was.

"I think it's quite meritorious," Don said.

"It's a great achievement and I'm very proud of him."

His daughter, Kate Looker, said she boasts about her dad to everyone — and joked she has big shoes to fill.

"It makes me feel like I haven't achieved much, but it also means that I have a lot of time to achieve things," she said.

"I'm just incredibly proud."

Mr Looker said he hoped he can inspire older people to never give up on life.

"Do not talk yourself into old age, there is always something new and exciting out there to do," he said.

"Don't stop."

By Aiden McNamara