Mediator recognised for 750 cases

Kevin Hearn finds mediation is as challenging as a classroom of unruly students.

Chris Ison

FOR Rockhampton’s Kevin Hearn, standing between two disagreeing parties is as challenging as facing a classroom of 30 rowdy students.

Each day Mr Hearn acts as a go-between for Central Queenslanders no matter what their dispute.

As a former English teacher turned mediator, he’s made a living out of being kind, patient and impartial.

Last week Mr Hearn was acknowledged for his outstanding contribution to the region after conducting a total of 750 mediations since he joined Central Queensland Dispute Resolution Centre in 1999.

When he stopped teaching in 1994 he first went back to university.

“I always enjoyed working with people,” he said.

Mr Hearn dabbled in a few areas such as social work and social policy, which eventually led to an interest in conflict management.

“I saw a lot of cases that didn’t get the opportunity to do mediation as a resolution,” he said.

In 1999 when he applied for the job as a mediator the selection process was tough, but he pushed through and found the training challenging.

“I found this just as challenging as walking into a classroom with 30 kids,” he said.

“Now going into a room with two people in conflict and managing the situation so parties can communicate is a challenge.”

Mr Hearn said the toughest situation he had ever been in was when it looked like an argument between two women would turn physical.

“They give you a strong foundation about how to handle things but on-the-spot things they don’t,” he said.

“When one woman started getting abusive I just stood up slowly and stood between them. It worked.”

But Mr Hearn said violence during mediation was unusual, as both parties have to firstly agree to the meeting.

He has helped in a range of civil issues from rental bonds to workplace arguments, neighbourhood disputes to divorce and parenting arrangements.

Mr Hearn said at the end of the process the final decision was always made by the parties involved.

The CQ Dispute Resolution Centre has 14 mediators and last week celebrated its 15th birthday.

Skills of a mediator

A personal commitment to open and effective communication

Demonstrated patience, tolerance and acceptance of people from all walks of life

A clear abiding sense of what it really means to be impartial

A strong willingness to keep learning – and support their colleagues’ learning – by engaging in meaningful debriefing

Need to understand that mediation is about the parties – they really do own their issues and their solutions