There was standing room only at Sessions House on Friday when a popular civil servant was Called to the Bar.

Audley Quallo, spent more than a decade working for the Ministry of Legal Affairs after obtaining his law degree in 2013.

But after completing his pupillage with the Department of Public Prosecutions, the CedarBridge Academy graduate has achieved his life’s “dream”.

In his acceptance speech before Larry Mussenden, the Chief Justice, Mr Quallo said that his “in-between” period from law school to being called was not wasted.

He was able to complete a master’s degree in law, worked as Clerk to the Court of Appeal and reached a senior position in the trades union movement.

Mr Quallo said: “Like any journey, there are highs and lows, there are gains and losses, and most definitely there will be adversaries along the way.

“The losses. I have lost close family members to death whose presence I strongly desire to bear witness to today as a result of their contributions.

“I lost a marriage. I’ve lost employment, and dealing with very sensitive scenarios, I came near to losing my mind.

“But as grim as these losses appear, the gains far outweigh the losses.

“I gained new perspectives, I gained a friend whose piety impressed me so completely which would cause me to incline my soul to hers, whose love, support and protection of me could never make me feel forsaken, cold or unsure that the decision to make her my wife was nothing but the correct one.

“The biggest gain, apart from achieving this lifelong dream, is sitting in my wife’s lap in the form of our beloved daughter, Renesmeé.

“We look forward to rearing and cultivating her into an outstanding member of society and a leader on the global platform.”

Mr Quallo spoke of a childhood in which he and his parents were faced with many hardships.

He said: “I must recognise my parents, Julieann Williams and Junior Quallo — without your selfless acts 35 years ago, I would not be standing here today.

“My parents gave me my wings a little earlier in life than most parents would, but it gave me the ability to mature early and to be self-reliant, inquisitive, to grow bravery and to make my decisions for myself and to be able to stand by those decisions, either learning from mistakes made or enjoying the fruits of correct decisions.”

Mr Quallo also gave special thanks to his great uncle, Eugene Woods, the last surviving founding member of the Progressive Labour Party.

He said: “His presence today is special to me, because months ago, I thought that I would have to face the reality that he would be one of the photos in memoriam.

“He has dreamt of nothing more than seeing this day come to pass. I am proud to give him this moment.

“He has given yeomen service to this country by participating in acts that ended segregation.

“He was among 19 young social activists who put into motion a plan to end segregation in Bermuda starting with the local theatres, otherwise known as the Theatre Boycott.

“It is this kind of stock running through my blood which I hope explains why it was self-evident that I yearn towards a career in law.

“I come from a family that not only was systematically oppressed but ascended to the occasion and said, ‘I won’t stand for it, nor will I cower and plot in silence but will stand boldly for myself, for those suffering alongside me and for those who come behind me’.”

Others to whom Mr Quallo paid gratitude included three families — the Tyrrells, the Tankards and the Dyers — who supported him in his quest to achieve his goals, and former CedarBridge Academy principal Kalmar Richards, who was in the audience during the ceremony.

He said: “She gave me unreserved autonomy to be myself, to the extent that in all likelihood attracted some complaints.

“But I am proud to stand here today and to have fulfilled the mission of CedarBridge, ‘where excellence is valued, we cultivate Bermuda’s achievers’.”

Other dignitaries attending the ceremony included Tom Oppenheim, the Deputy Governor, Kim Wilson as Acting Attorney-General, Cherie-Lynn Whitter, the Head of the Civil Service, and Sir Christopher Clarke, the President of the Court of Appeal.

After the ceremony, Sir Christopher paid tribute to Mr Quallo.

He said: “The Court of Appeal, with which you made such a good connection, is sad to lose you.

“On its behalf, I thank you and wish you the very best as you embark on your new role, which I am sure you will both enjoy and fulfil admirably.”

Mr Quallo said that the island faced a myriad of challenges, from gang violence to workers’ rights, but that he was ready to get to work for his country.

He said: “In the light of all these issues, when the question ‘what’s now’ is asked, my response is ‘Bermuda’, that’s what is now, and will for ever be.

“And whatever capacity I find myself in to act as custodian over my island home, that is what is now.”