Australian judge David Perry becomes a tour guide in Israel
Former Australian District Court judge David Perry ended his legal career early, moved to Israel and became a licensed tour guide. Together with his wife Sharon, he settled in Zikhron Ya'akov, where their eldest daughter Gabriella lives with her family, the Jerusalem Post reports.
Perry was born in Sydney and worked in administrative law. He later became a District Court judge and deputy chair of the State Administrative Tribunal in Perth, Western Australia. He left his position despite being able to work for another 15 years and retired at the age of 55 to move to Israel.
A new profession in Israel
After repatriating, Perry completed an English-language course for guides at the University of Haifa School of Tourism, received a license and created the TourWiseIsrael.com website. He works with the Jerusalem-based tour company Israel Maven Tours, offering three-day trips for English-speaking new immigrants to Galilee and the Golan Heights, as well as to the Negev.
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According to Perry, skills acquired in the judicial system have proved useful in his work as a guide: knowledge of facts, the ability to take different views into account, to speak clearly and to explain complex topics to people with different backgrounds. He also hopes to lead tours for delegations and missions from Australia and North America.
Family and Sharon Perry's work
All four of the couple's children moved from Australia to Israel. Natalie lives in Jaffa and works as a senior data analyst, while Mia studies Middle Eastern studies at Shalem College in Jerusalem. Their son Jacob is completing his service in the Israel Defense Forces and performs with the HaMakor theatre company.
Sharon Perry holds a doctoral degree in physiotherapy and taught and conducted research at a university for 18 years before repatriating. According to David Perry, Israel's Ministry of Health required her to confirm the hours of clinical training during her undergraduate studies, which she completed about 40 years ago, so she was unable to convert her diploma. Sharon now conducts seminars for companies, including technology companies, on preventing health problems among employees with sedentary jobs, as well as fall-prevention classes for older people.
