Having been raised in Hobart, and schooled at The Hutchins School, Matthew graduated from the University of Tasmania in 1993 after studying a combined Arts/Law Degree.  After completion of the Legal Practice Course in 1994, he commenced his Apprenticeship at Levis Stace & Cooper in Devonport that year, being admitted 12 months later in September 1995.

Having had a great start at Levis Stace & Cooper enabling him to get an early broad and valuable experience, Matthew has remained in practice in Devonport and eventually started his own firm of Verney & Co in May 2003.  That firm grew later the same year and became Verney Walker & Co where Matthew remained in partnership until his recent return to sole practice in October 2009.

Matthew enjoys life outside of legal practice with plenty of traveling, community work, property development, business development and a great interest in motor vehicles.  His travels with his partner have taken him to places such as Croatia, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Vietnam, Thailand, France, Germany, and more recently New Zealand and Argentina.  His community work has involved a lengthy commitment to Rotary, where he has been a club president and frequent board member.  More recently he has, and continues to serve as a board member of Ronald McDonald House in Hobart representing the North West.

In the more distant past, he was a board member and briefly president of Working It Out Inc.  

He enjoys the challenge of commencing new businesses, having started two law offices from scratch, a hair salon (which he and his partner Mark continue to own), and a “take away” espresso bar, all located in Devonport.  

Despite being a born “southerner”, he now considers himself to have settled and considers Devonport well and truly to be home.