When she was called to the bar at just 21, Australia's first female High Court chief justice received a congratulatory telegram from her brother, welcoming her to the acting profession.
"Thank you, dear brother, but we write our own lines," she retorted.
Susan Kiefel's brother Russell wasn't at the High Court in Canberra on Monday to watch his sister make history as the first woman to fill the highest judicial role in the land.
The film and stage actor died suddenly in November, just days before her appointment was announced.
"I know it is a great sadness to your honour," Attorney-General George Brandis said as he paid tribute during her swearing-in ceremony.
He recalled acting as her junior when "blokey" clients, concerned about her gender, expressed reservations.
She soon had them eating out of her hand.
Hers was a great Australian story to inspire men and women alike, having gone from a "restless teenager" who left school at 15 to the 13th chief justice of the High Court.
"It has been a feature of your honour's story, as it is of today's ceremony, that you have at several crucial steps in your career been the first woman to occupy a particular office," Senator Brandis said.
"But your success has had nothing to do with your gender and everything to do with your intelligence, diligence and skill."
Chief Justice Kiefel said the day was historically significant on two counts, having been sworn-in by fellow female High Court Justice Virginia Bell.
"The appointment of more women to this court recognises that there are now women who have the necessary legal ability and experience, as well as the personal qualities to be a justice of this court," she said.
Justice Keifel thanked everyone for their expressions of support and goodwill, acknowledging they may be short-lived.
"It is possible that compliments could in the future be replaced by criticism.
"I shall therefore bask in them, but only briefly."
Justice Kiefel completed high school at night, working as a legal secretary until she was called to the bar at just 21.
She was the first woman in Queensland to take silk, and the first female judge of the state's Supreme Court.
Law Council of Australia president Fiona McLeod said it was a landmark moment for women in the history of Australia, with women now having filled the three highest constitutional offices in the land.
Justice Kiefel replaces the retiring Robert French, while 42-year-old James Edelman fills her role.
He became the nation's youngest High Court judge when he was sworn in on Monday afternoon.
