Monday 24 October 2011 Strangers’ Dining Room Parliament House Macquarie Street, The Law and Justice Foundation of NSW is an independent, statutory, not-for-profit organisation established in 1967 to improve access to justice for the people of NSW. It is incorporated by the Law and Justice Foundation Act 2000 (NSW). The Foundation’s purpose is to advance the fairness and equity of the justice system, and to improve access to justice for socially and economically disadvantaged people. Welcome to the 2011 Justice Awards

The Law and Justice Foundation’s annual Justice Awards recognise the contributions of individuals and organisations to improving access to justice in NSW, particularly for socially and economically disadvantaged people. The Awards presentation is a unique opportunity for the Foundation to highlight the achievements of so many, and for our guests to celebrate and congratulate them.

Program for the evening 6.30pm Welcome Presentation of the LIAC Centre of Excellence Award Presentation of the Community Legal Centres NSW Award Presentation of the Law Society President’s Award Presentation of the Law and Justice Volunteer Award

8.00pm Dinner

8.30pm The 2011 Law and Justice Address by Dr Tom Calma

9.00pm Presentation of the Pro Bono Partnership Award Presentation of the Aboriginal Justice Award Presentation of the Justice Medal

10.20pm Close

1 Your host for this evening The Hon. Kevin Rozzoli AM Member, Board of Governors, Law and Justice Foundation of NSW The Hon. Kevin Rozzoli AM was the member for the NSW electorate of Hawkesbury from 1973 until his retirement from politics in 2003, and from 1988 to1995, he was the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Kevin was admitted to the NSW Bar in 1985. Kevin is on the Board of a number of not-for-profit organisations including the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (until 30 June 2011), and the Australasian Study of Parliament Group. For the past 22 years he has been Chair of the Haymarket Foundation.

The 2011 Law and Justice Address Dr Tom Calma Dr Calma is an Aboriginal elder from the Kungarakan tribal group and a member of the Iwaidja tribal group in the Northern Territory. In March 2010, Dr Calma was appointed as National Coordinator for Tackling Indigenous Smoking to lead the fight against tobacco use in Aboriginal and Islander communities. Prior to this, Dr Calma was the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission from 2004 to 2010, and the Race Discrimination Commissioner from 2004 to 2009. In his 2005 Social Justice Report, Dr Calma called for the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to be closed within a generation, and following his report, he was involved in the formation of the Close the Gap campaign. Dr Calma has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Charles Darwin University in recognition of decades of public service, and an Honorary Doctorate from Curtin University in recognition of his work in Indigenous health, and in higher education both in and internationally. Your MC this evening Richard Glover Richard Glover presents the top-rating Drive show on ABC Radio in Sydney, and has written a weekly column for the Sydney Morning Herald for more than 20 years. He is the author of 12 books, his latest being Why Men Are Necessary, published by HarperCollins in 2010.

2 LIAC Centre of Excellence Awards The winners of the 2011 LIAC Centre of Excellence Award are:

Coffs Harbour City Library Lismore City Library Coffs Harbour City Library worked with Lismore City Library has an established a number of legal service providers ongoing program of free legal talks for Presented by: to develop an innovative Law Week the community that are delivered in program that increased knowledge collaboration with the Law Society of Ms Frances Sims and understanding of the law in the NSW. The topics covered in 2011 included Director local community. The Library organised wills and estates, personal injury, animal Public Library and two workshops delivered by Women’s law and ethical eating, older persons and Community Learning Legal Services NSW, ‘Women and the the law, and debt and the law. Services Law’ for the community, and ‘Accessing The Library also conducts regular State Library of NSW Justice’ for community workers and outreach sessions at local high schools organisations assisting women affected to increase awareness and use of HSC by domestic violence. Other community legal studies resources, including the Sponsored by: information sessions included a Newswatch blog, available on LIAC’s Find presentation by NSW Fair Trading on Legal Answers website. Legal Information Access new tenancy laws. Due to their well- Centre (LIAC) established relationship with the Coffs Harbour Court House and the Upper Hunter Drug and Alcohol Service, the LIAC is a statewide service Library was invited to participate on the providing free community launch of the MERIT (Magistrates Early access to legal information. Referral Into Treatment) Program. LIAC is an initiative of the State Library of NSW and the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW, and is jointly funded by the Public Purpose Fund and the Library. LIAC services are provided through the Centre in the State Library, through the public library network across NSW and via the Find Legal Answers website. The Centre of Excellence Award recognises innovative and creative projects that increase community awareness of and access to LIAC. legalanswers.sl.nsw.gov.au

3 Community Legal Centres NSW Award The nominees for the 2011 Community Legal Centres NSW Award are:

Mr Jules Munro Mr Michael Windsor SC Jules has been volunteering for the Michael has been volunteering at Redfern Presented by: Arts Law Centre of Australia since 2000, Legal Centre for 15 years. He attends making a significant contribution to the Centre on Tuesday nights to provide Ms Anna Cody improving access to justice for low free legal advice and assistance to Chair income and emerging artists. Access to members of the community in the inner Community Legal Jules’ specialised legal expertise would Sydney area. His client interviewing skills Centres NSW be financially out of reach for those combine compassion with incisive legal artists who benefit enormously from problem solving. Some of his work has the advice he can provide in a pro bono included assisting clients who have been Sponsored by: capacity. Since joining the Arts Law panel denied payment for work, discriminated Community Legal of volunteer lawyers, Jules has been against or victimised in the workplace. particularly involved in the delivery of Michael has contributed in a large way Centres NSW Arts Law’s Document Review Service. to the sense of teamwork that exists on Over the past decade, approximately Tuesday nights and is an inspiration and The Community Legal 100 artists have received advice from an example to younger volunteers. Centres NSW Award this year Jules through Arts Law’s services. is presented to an individual Mr Michael Steinfeld or a group of individuals who, in a voluntary capacity Michael has been volunteering at in a NSW community legal Kingsford Legal Centre on a fortnightly centre, have demonstrated basis for its evening advice clinic for 27 years. During this time, he has outstanding commitment to assisted thousands of disenfranchised improving access to justice clients and has made many trips to in NSW, particularly for Long Bay Correctional Complex to socially and economically provide pro bono advice to prisoners. disadvantaged people. Through the clinical legal education This may have been program at Kingsford Legal Centre, demonstrated in a range of Michael has worked with many students activities over an extended on the Centre’s advice nights and has period, or in a single shown himself to be a patient and significant activity. experienced mentor. He also is a source of advice and help to the Centre’s Community Legal Centres solicitors if a client seeks assistance in NSW provides secretariat a specialist area of practice. support to NSW community legal centres working for the public interest, particularly for disadvantaged and marginalised people and communities. www.clcnsw.org.au

4 Law Society President’s Award The nominees for the 2011 Law Society President’s Award are:

Mr Eric Butler Mr Harry Freedman Butlers Will Dispute Lawyers Milne Berry Berger Freedman

Eric was admitted as a solicitor of the Harry joined JW Milne & Berry in Presented by: Supreme Court of NSW in 1968. He 1985 and became a Partner in 1987, specialises in wills and estates law, Mr Stuart Westgarth developing his practice in the areas of and in particular, acting for clients litigation and family law. He became an President in all forms of will disputes and will accredited specialist in family law when The Law Society of challenges. Although Eric’s firm is a small the Law Society of NSW first introduced family firm, he is a strong supporter of the accreditation program in the early the Law Society Pro Bono Scheme and 1990s. Harry is a strong supporter of often takes referrals on complex estate Sponsored by: the Law Society Pro Bono Scheme and matters. regularly takes family, civil and wills and The Law Society of Mr Manny Conditsis estates matters. He has also provided New South Wales direction and advice to the Law Society’s Conditsis & Associates Pro Bono Solicitor on more difficult and Lawyers complex family law matters. The Law Society President’s Manny has more than 27 years Award is presented to experience in criminal law and Mr Jim Marsden an individual solicitor for is recognised as one of the most Marsdens Law Group pro bono work through experienced trial advocates in NSW. Jim is the Senior Partner of Marsdens the Law Society Pro Bono Manny is committed to community Law Group and has contributed to Scheme. The Scheme aims to outreach and regularly provides pro the legal profession for more than bono legal services to community increase access to justice by 30 years. He specialises in commercial members. Manny’s practice is based in law and property development, and accepting applications from Gosford, where there are few solicitors has acted for various clients including disadvantaged people and who are part of the Law Society Pro state and local governments. Jim has referring them to solicitors Bono Scheme. Manny is heavily relied contributed significantly to community prepared to act on a pro bono upon by the Scheme to assist clients in legal services and has been involved in basis. his area and is always willing to do so. various charitable, civic and sporting The Law Society of NSW is the He is a valued member of the Scheme organisations. He is very supportive of professional association for and he has achieved excellent results the Law Society’s Pro Bono Scheme, and for many clients of the Scheme. He also the solicitors’ branch of the has undertaken a large volume of family provides advice and guidance to the and criminal law matters over the years, legal profession, representing Law Society’s Pro Bono Solicitor on more often accepting matters on short notice. more than 23,000 lawyers complex criminal law matters. in New South Wales. The Law Society encourages its members to undertake pro bono legal assignments as part of their wider community responsibility as legal practitioners and as confirmation that the conduct of pro bono work has been, and continues to be, part of legal practice. www.lawsociety.com.au

5 Law and Justice Volunteer Award The nominees for the 2011 Law and Justice Volunteer Award are:

Dr Frank Ainsworth Community Restorative Nominated by Mr Andrew McCallum, Centre Court Support Association of Children’s Welfare Volunteers Agencies Nominated by Ms Wendy Robertson, Presented by: Dr Ainsworth has dedicated countless Community Restorative Centre unpaid hours to the Family Inclusion Mr Geoff Lindsay SC Founded in 1951, the Community Network (FIN) in NSW since its Restorative Centre is dedicated to Bar Council Member establishment in 2008, and is currently supporting people affected by the The New South Wales the organisation’s President. He is criminal justice system, particularly Bar Association recognised as the driving force behind prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families FIN NSW, an organisation that aims to and friends. The Centre’s Court Support improve access to justice for parents Sponsored by: Scheme consists of 35 volunteers who who are struggling with the NSW child help more than 50,000 people each protection system and the courts that The New South Wales year in numerous local courts, tribunals enforce it. In addition to his voluntary Bar Association and the Family Court at Parramatta. work with FIN NSW, Dr Ainsworth is The volunteers support people through also a volunteer Guardian Ad Litem the court and legal system, as well in the NSW Children’s Court and the The Law and Justice Volunteer as providing information on court Administrative Decisions Tribunal Award is presented to an procedures, referrals to community individual or a group of of NSW. and government agencies, and general individuals, who, in a voluntary assistance to Legal Aid solicitors. capacity, have demonstrated Ms Kat Armstrong an outstanding commitment Nominated by Ms Brenda Bailey, Ms Janice Daisley to improving access to justice, Council of Social Service of NSW Nominated by Ms Therese Sands, particularly for socially and Kat has been nominated for her People with Disability Australia economically disadvantaged commitment over the past eight years After Janice was transferred into people. This may have occurred to improving the lives of women in institutional care in the 1970s, she was in a range of activities over an the criminal justice system. Following among a small group of activists that extended period, or in a single her release from prison in 2003, Kat stood up to the discriminatory treatment significant activity. Nominees completed a law degree and started of the institution’s management. After mentoring women prisoners on a must not be current legal years of campaigning, Janice became voluntary basis. Kat has helped many practitioners. one of the few people to be transferred women exiting prison to re-establish from the institution to a relatively The New South Wales Bar themselves in the community. In 2008, independent group home. This incident Association is a voluntary Kat helped found the Women in Prison put her at the forefront of the disability association of practicing Advocacy Network (WIPAN), which aims rights movement in NSW. Janice has barristers. Its aims include to improve the human rights, wellbeing volunteered for People with Disability promoting the administration and prospects of women in the criminal (PWD) for the past 30 years and has justice system. Most of the women of justice, and making held various roles in the organisation WIPAN assist have a history of abuse and recommendations with respect in a voluntary capacity. Through her violence, are from low socio-economic work, many people with disability have to legislation, law reform, rules backgrounds, and have low levels of of court, and court business been empowered to access support and education. Kat mentors them, and services that enable them to participate and procedure. It has a strong refers them to job and housing support fully in the community. Janice’s expertise commitment to pro bono, both networks, educational institutions, and leadership has gained the respect of through its Legal Assistance and helps them to feel supported and ministers and senior public servants, and Referral Scheme, and the pro connected to services. she respectfully represents the views bono work carried out informally and needs of people with disability. by members of the Bar. www.nswbar.asn.au

6 Gamarada Leaders Group Sisters of Charity Outreach Ms Ann Symonds and Nominated by Ms Sharny Chalmers, Court Support Volunteers Ms Helen Wiseman AIDS Council of NSW Nominated by Sister Margaret Nominated by Ms Gloria Larman, Since 2007, Gamarada Leaders Group Fitzgerald, Sisters of Charity Outreach SHINE for Kids have volunteered their time and skills The Sisters of Charity Outreach Court Ann and Helen have provided invaluable to Gamarada Indigenous Healing and Support service comprises 39 long- voluntary service to SHINE for Kids, an Life Training program. The training is serving volunteers who have worked organisation that assists and supports a weekly, three-hour men’s healing for more than 20 years at Darlinghurst, children of parents who are in the and life-skills program for Indigenous Downing Centre and Liverpool courts. criminal justice system. men and youth in Sydney’s inner city. The volunteers bring a friendly face, a As SHINE’s patron over 10 years, Ann has The Leaders Group provides legal willingness to listen and non-prejudicial challenged policy makers and advocated information and direct access to legal empathy and understanding to all who at a high level for the rights of children services, and connects participants with need assistance within the court system. to be taken into account when their staff from services they might normally The volunteers provide information, parent is sent to prison, and for mothers avoid. Part of the program’s success referrals and, in particular, they provide in prison to be re-united with their is attributed to the Leaders Group support to women who are taking out children. established networks and experience Apprehended Violence Orders. The in working with agencies such as the service provided by the volunteers As Chair of SHINE since 2004, Helen has NSW Police Force, Juvenile Justice, greatly enhances the smooth running of provided advocacy, corporate guidance Community Legal Centres, Probation the court, which in turn benefits court and stability to the organisation. She and Parole services, and other broader officials, police and Legal Aid. Last year, dedicates around 15 hours per week community services. The personal the volunteers completed a total of towards meeting with ministers, policy support they provide to participants 2234 hours of service, served 5897 tea/ makers, and leading the organisation. has enabled many Indigenous men to coffee/soups, and referred, directed and In this nomination, both Ann and turn their lives around and address the supported 14,459 court attendees. Helen are recognised for their passion, legal issues that impact on all aspects commitment and determination to have of their lives. Mr Graham Symes the needs of children considered when Nominated by Mr Mike MacLeod, their parent is in the criminal justice Ms Margaret Jones Centre for Volunteering system. Nominated by Ms Joanna Shulman, Graham is founder and director of the Redfern Legal Centre Traffic Offenders Program (TOP), a court Margaret is known for her passion and diversion program that aims to reduce commitment to social justice, and has the number of young people going volunteered for a range of organisations to court for serious traffic offences. over many years. Now in her 80s, Graham founded TOP in 1992, in Margaret continues to volunteer at response to what he saw on the roads Redfern Legal Centre twice a week and as an ambulance officer. For the past is as a Justice of the Peace at Balmain 19 years, Graham has run TOP on a Local Court, where the Women’s voluntary basis and over this time, more Domestic Violence Court Assistance than 12,000 participants have gone Scheme particularly values her reliable through the program with Graham presence. At Redfern Legal Centre, personally marking around 98,000 Margaret has played a vital role in assignments. A significant number of the mentoring and encouragement attendees are socially and economically of younger volunteers, and she is disadvantaged, and Graham has known for her ability to ‘make the adapted the program to accommodate unmanageable manageable’ for many those with special learning needs. He vulnerable clients with legal problems. is credited with helping many young people to change their attitudes and his program has reduced the re-offending rate among participants.

7 Pro Bono Partnership Award The nominees for the 2011 Pro Bono Partnership Award are:

AIDS Council of NSW (ACON) Enough is Enough with with Freehills Macedone Legal ACON is Australia’s largest community- Enough is Enough is an anti-violence Presented by: based gay, lesbian, bisexual and organisation that aims to reduce the transgender health and HIV/AIDS causes and effects of violence in the Mr John Corker organisation. Over the past 11 years, community. Through Macedone Legal Director Freehills has provided more than 1700 and Macedone Christie Willis, Sam National Pro Bono hours of pro bono work for ACON, which Macedone has provided pro bono legal Resource Centre has made an enormous contribution to assistance to Enough is Enough and its the organisation. Freehills has provided clients for the past 17 years. Many of the ACON with assistance on a wide range clients he helps are vulnerable and have Sponsored by: of matters including employment, experienced serious trauma. They have intellectual property, trademarks, no idea what lies ahead in the justice The National Pro Bono property and governance. Whether system and may be facing coronial Resource Centre it is the legal rights of sex workers, inquests and trials involving criminal the intricacies of a commercial lease proceedings. Sam offers legal advice, This Award is presented to negotiation, or the interpretation of representation and positive support to private law firms, community government regulations, Freehills clients, and helps them to prepare for organisations and/or community provides ACON with timely, accurate court. Sam also contributes to Enough legal centres in NSW that have and quality advice. is Enough as a board member, and has been instrumental in developing developed an outstanding Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal pro bono legal assistance and presenting the organisation’s Health Centre with Central Legal Studies Seminar to students at relationship resulting in metropolitan and regional high schools. improved access to justice for Coast Family Law disadvantaged people in the Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Hawkesbury Nepean community. Centre is based in Wyong, where the Aboriginal community has the highest Community Legal Centre The National Pro Bono Resource incidence of domestic violence in with Clayton Utz Centre is an independent, non- the state. Many of the Centre’s clients Hawkesbury Nepean Community Legal profit organisation committed to have experienced or are experiencing Centre is the first NSW recipient of the supporting and promoting pro domestic violence, and they have Clayton Utz Foundation Fellowship, bono legal services in Australia. had their children removed. Through which funds graduate solicitors to work As advocate, broker, coordinator, Matthew Myers, partner at Central Coast for two years at a regional or remote researcher and resource provider, Family Law, the firm recognised that community legal centre. The outlying the Centre plays a unique many Indigenous people needed help communities in the Hawkesbury leadership and coordination role. but were not accessing legal services. experience significant disadvantage and Matthew approached the Centre to legal problems however, due to poor www.nationalprobono.org.au establish a locally based pro bono public transport they are isolated, and partnership and for the past 18 months this has affected their ability to access has worked tirelessly with more than legal services. Through the Clayton 30 families who have suffered domestic Utz Foundation Fellowship, graduate violence to get the best possible solicitor Gabrielle Craig was placed access to justice. Since the partnership at the Centre in 2008 and permanent began, the Centre has seen a significant outreach legal services were established, improvement in the number of children which offer face-to-face, locally returned to their family, and the delivered advice to the communities. number of Indigenous clients who are The partnership has been successful empowered and accessing legal services. in assisting 240 clients who would not otherwise have accessed community legal services.

8 National Children’s and Youth Viscopy with Allens Arthur Women’s Legal Services NSW Law Centre (NYCLC) with Robinson with Blake Dawson, Mallesons Stephen Jaques Based in NSW, Viscopy is a small, not- Clayton Utz, Freehills, NYCLC and Mallesons Stephen Jaques for-profit organisation that provides NSW Bar Association, have worked collaboratively on The copyright licensing services to visual Office of the Director of Cyber Project for 10 years. The project artists, many of whom are economically Public Prosecutions aims to improve the accessibility of legal disadvantaged and geographically Since 2009, this unique partnership information, referral and advice to young isolated. Money generated from between Women’s Legal Services people through Lawmail, which offers copyright licensing is an important NSW, three large law firms, NSW Bar legal advice online, and Lawstuff, additional source of revenue for these Association and the Office of the a website containing relevant and artists and without Viscopy, they would Director of Public Prosecutions, has youth-friendly legal information. Over 90 struggle to prosecute their rights in been working to bring about change Mallesons lawyers are cyber volunteers court. Allens Arthur Robinson has been to the Sexual Assault Communications and the firm also supports the Centre’s providing Viscopy with pro bono legal Privilege (SACP). corporate operations. This partnership assistance since 2008. Allens’ highly demonstrates innovation in legal service skilled litigators have enabled Viscopy SACP legislation was an important delivery and a unique ability to engage to level the playing field in court and reform — prior to its introduction with children and young people who take on larger commercial corporations sexual assault victims weren’t seeing would otherwise not have access to with far greater resources. In other cases, counsellors for fear that their personal legal advice. Allens’ pre-litigation advice has helped records would end up in court. While Viscopy negotiate a settlement without the legislation enabled sexual assault St John’s Anglican Church going to court. In addition, Allens victims the ability to protect their Legal Centre with Middletons provides corporate and competition personal information, it proved difficult law advice to the Viscopy executive and to enforce without specialist legal St John’s at Darlinghurst offers a range board. representation. of community and legal services to socially and economically disadvantaged The partnership established an effective people in East Sydney. Many of their referral process and a pool of specialist clients are dealing with issues such as lawyers and barristers who were able to homelessness and drug abuse, and successfully assert the privilege. They the Centre aims to support people ‘to ran a pilot program that showed that make the changes in their lives they in 91 per cent of matters where there want to make’. Before their partnership was legal representation for the victim, with Middletons, St John’s was facing their confidential records were kept out significant cut backs to its services of proceedings. The results of the pilot and the potential closure of its legal program, and the collaborative efforts centre. Middletons was made aware of the partnership to seek further law of the dire situation and began a pro reform, resulted in legislative change bono partnership with the Centre in and the funding of a permanent, 2010. Over a relatively short period of statewide SACP Unit in Legal Aid NSW. time, Middletons’ support has enabled the Centre to extend and expand their services. The firm has provided more than 38 lawyers to assist with legal advice, as well as corporate staff and financial support to assist the organisation with business development and community engagement.

9 Aboriginal Justice Award The nominees for the 2011 Aboriginal Justice Award are:

Aboriginal Legal Service Ms Kay Dundas (ALS) Management Team Nominated by Ms Katie Hardy, Walla Presented by: Nominated by Mr Raymond Brazil, Mulla Family and Community Support The Hon. Greg Smith SC MP Aboriginal Legal Service Kay is a proud Kamilaroi woman from Attorney General and Gerry Moore, Phil Naden, Julie Perkins, Coonabarabran, who has dedicated Minister for Justice Shawn Stubbings, Hewitt Whyman more than 30 years to supporting and Lorraine Wright have worked Aboriginal children and families. Kay together as the ALS Management worked for various inner Sydney agencies Sponsored by: Team since 2006. They have shown before joining Walla Mulla Family and outstanding commitment to improving Community Support in Woolloomooloo, Department of Attorney access to justice for Aboriginal as their Aboriginal Family and Support General and Justice NSW people by respecting the work of Worker. She provides clients with their predecessors and ensuring that information, referrals and court support, and her focus is on families staying The Aboriginal Justice Award the ALS stays true to its purpose and together and keeping people out of is presented to an Aboriginal goals, while facilitating growth and significant change in the organisation. jail. Kay has volunteered on a number individual or group of individuals Following the ALS amalgamation of committees and has helped many who have demonstrated into one statewide service, the team families outside her paid role. Word of outstanding commitment to continued to maintain grassroots liaison her work has spread on the Koori improving access to justice for with Aboriginal communities, while grapevine and she receives referrals to Aboriginal people in NSW. This emphasising the delivery of a quality assist families from across NSW. may have occurred in a range of and culturally appropriate legal service. activities over a long period, or in The team has recently partnered with Ms Jan Fennell a single significant activity. Legal Aid NSW on a civil and family law Nominated by Ms Leasa Kelly project, with a particular focus on early The Foundation acknowledges Jan is a Ngiyaampaa woman who has intervention/prevention. the support of the Department worked as the Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer for NSW Police in of Attorney General in Justice Ms Leah Cruickshank NSW. Menindee since 2006. Menindee is a Nominated by Macquarie Legal Centre remote rural town in Far West NSW, www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au Leah is a member of the Wadi-Wadi which offers few employment or training clan from the South Coast of NSW and opportunities, particularly for children. she is dedicated to improving access to More than 85 per cent of the children at justice for Aboriginal people through her the local school are Aboriginal and the work. Leah has qualifications in mental community tackles issues of truancy, anti- health and criminology, and has worked social behaviour, crime and alcohol. Jan is extensively in Aboriginal communities a very committed and active member of and with different groups in Kempsey, the community who uses her knowledge Grafton and Dubbo. In 2007, Leah joined to assist others in obtaining justice. She Macquarie Legal Centre’s Children’s believes that ‘you’ve got to find local Court Assistance Scheme and since then solutions to local problems’ and has been has assisted thousands of children and instrumental in running projects to bring their families on their day in court, and the community and police together. before and after their court appearance. Through Jan’s projects, a healthy Leah goes above and beyond this role relationship and respect has developed and takes a genuine interest in the between the police and the Aboriginal welfare of all the children she assists. community. Jan’s initiatives have been She is a strong advocate for Aboriginal so successful that other communities children, and endeavours to always are showing interest in running similar make sure the children have access to projects. justice, and are treated fairly and with the respect they deserve.

10 Ms Beryl Van-Oploo Mr Michael Williams Nominated by Ms Millie Ingram, Nominated by Ms Joan Dickson, NSW Wyanga Aboriginal Aged Care Outback Division of General Practice Program Michael is a proud member of the Beryl is a descendant of the Gamillaroi Ngemba mob, and was born and nation of Walgett NSW. She is a well- raised in the Bourke and Brewarrina known elder in the Redfern area communities. Michael identified a need and a manager/educator at Yaama for a community based response to Dhiyaan, which offers hospitality the alcohol related crimes in Bourke, training for unemployed Aboriginal and through his role as a Licensing people. Through her work, Beryl aims Sergeant, spearheaded the formation to move Aboriginal people beyond of the Bourke Alcohol Working Group drug and alcohol abuse, or prison (BAWG) and subsequent Bourke time. Since the commencement of Five Year Alcohol Management Plan. Yaama Dhiyaan, Beryl has trained and Michael’s commitment to the BAWG found employment for more than 160 has seen a reduction in alcohol-related students. Beryl’s reputation and standing crime, enabled alcohol-related health in the community is such that many promotion in licensed premises, and young people experiencing difficulties supported school-based education are referred to her to be taken on as with at-risk youth. In 2009, Michael was trainees, and Beryl counsels them and awarded the Australian Police Medal in encourages them to change and seek the Queen’s Birthday Honours List and a better life for themselves and/or their became the first Aboriginal Police Officer families. She believes that ‘if you turn in NSW to receive the honour. one person’s life around, you turn their whole family around too’. Ms Michelle Wellington Nominated by Ms Gail Wallace, Nowra Local Court Michelle is a member of the Yuin nation and for the past eight years has worked at Nowra Local Court as the Aboriginal Client Specialist Officer. Michelle grew up on Jerrinja Mission and works with the seven different Aboriginal clan leaders to help break down communication barriers to make the legal system more accessible. She provides information to community members, acts as an interpreter and assists older community members with legal paperwork. She has also implemented and delivered a wills’ program to elders in the local Aboriginal communities. Michelle has educated lawyers, teachers and law students about the communication barriers that exist between the courts and the Aboriginal community.

11 Justice Medal The nominees for the 2011 Justice Medal are: Mr Deng Thiak Adut Mr Luke Geary Law and Justice Nominated by Ms Nicole Miller, Nominated by Ms Miriam Gluyas, OF NEW University of Western Sydney The Salvation Army Foundation SOUTH WALES When Deng arrived in Australia as a Luke has been nominated for his work 15-year-old refugee, he was illiterate over the past six years as founder Presented by: and spoke no English. Deng overcame of Courtyard Legal, which has been The Hon. Sir Anthony Mason language barriers and won a scholarship expanded into Salvos Legal and Salvos to study law. He now works for Grays Legal Humanitarian. All the funds AC KBE Legal in Parramatta and specialises received from the work of Salvos Patron, in criminal law. As a student, Deng Legal subsidises the work of Salvos Law and Justice began volunteering at Blacktown Legal Humanitarian, which provides Foundation of NSW Court Support Services to provide legal free services for disadvantaged and assistance to vulnerable members of marginalised people in NSW. Since the community, particularly newly Courtyard Legal began, there have Sponsored by: arrived migrants. Deng has taken on a been more than 2000 occasions of leadership role in his community and advice and representation in courts and Law and Justice has worked to improve access to justice tribunals, and each fortnight more than Foundation of NSW for the Sudanese community in Sydney. 150 clients receive pro bono services. In particular, Deng has initiated projects The Salvos Legal practice consists of The Justice Medal is presented to help build an understanding of the employed and volunteer solicitors, to an individual for outstanding Australian legal system and improve migration agents and paralegals, and achievement in improving access relations with police. This has resulted around 90 staff working across six offices to justice in NSW, particularly in a reduction in crimes involving the in NSW. Luke has been nominated for socially and economically Sudanese community, particularly youth. for his exceptional achievement in developing a self-sustaining commercial disadvantaged people. This Mr Richard Brading may have been demonstrated law firm to improve access to justice for disadvantaged people in NSW. in a range of activities over an Nominated by Mr Jeffrey Lucas, Wesley Mission extended period or work over a Mr John McKenzie Richard has worked tirelessly for shorter period but of exceptional Nominated by Ms Robyn Ayres, impact. 17 years to improve access to justice for problem gamblers and for people Arts Law Centre of Australia www.lawfoundation.net.au with disability. In 1994, Richard helped For the past 30 years, John has dedicated establish Wesley Community Legal his energies to improving access to Service (WCLS), a unique service that justice for Aboriginal people in NSW. specialises in consumer law issues In 1980, John began his involvement arising from problem gambling. Through with the Aboriginal Legal Service financial counsellors and gambling (ALS) as a practicing solicitor. In 1987, counsellors working collaboratively, John was appointed Principal Solicitor it provides a holistic response to the (NSW, Tasmania, Victoria) to the Royal impacts of problem gambling. As Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Principal Solicitor of WCLS, Richard Custody, and he remains committed to has successfully represented problem ensuring the recommendations of the gamblers in criminal courts and in Commission remain at the forefront of litigations against the gambling industry. law reform. John has made a significant Richard has facilitated access to justice contribution to the ALS and has helped for people with disability, as President the organisation establish an operational of Self Help for the Hard of Hearing and model focussed on excellence in through his role on other committees. service delivery. John is known for his Richard is well respected and known unwavering commitment to ensuring for his compassion, commitment to that Aboriginal people receive proper social justice and determination to give legal representation and that the something back to the community. underlying issues causing the over-

12 representation of Aboriginal people in of mental illness and drug and alcohol Ms Neisha Shepherd the criminal justice system in NSW are dependence, Jeremy has taken a pro- Nominated by Ms Mirelle Curtis, strategically pursued. While John would active approach to legal service delivery. Department of Family and Community consider that he is just doing his job, His willingness to meet with clients Services NSW he is recognised as a great lawyer, an on their terms, at any time of the day, innovator and someone who maintains has resulted in a greater number of Before moving into law, Neisha worked their passion for ‘fighting the good fight’. homeless people dealing with their legal at the Department of Community issues, and this has resulted in positive Services for many years, where Mr Fred Moore outcomes for most clients. Without his she specialised in the area of child Nominated by Ms Barbara Nicholson, support, many homeless people would protection. Around eight years ago, she University of Wollongong not make it to court and they would became a solicitor because she felt she be convicted and sentenced in their could do more to help families. Working Fred is a retired coal miner and activist. absence. For many of the homeless from her office in the Newcastle area, Now aged 89, he is well known in the people, ‘the system doesn’t work she has assisted a range of vulnerable South Coast community as a leading without Jeremy’. and disadvantaged clients on complex force and driver for change in the areas care and protection matters. Neisha of workers’ rights and racial equality. Mr Peter Rowe is known as a powerhouse, with the Fred recognised the need to improve determination and the drive to take on living conditions and access to justice Nominated by Mr Toby Hall, Mission Australia ‘the hard cases’. Her commitment to for Aboriginal people, and he was a improving access to justice resulted in founding member of the Federal Council Over the past 18 years, Peter has been a successful appeal that changed the for the Advancement of Aborigines and an instigator and leader of the pro law with respect to shared parenting. , which worked bono movement in NSW. Peter was one She has an indepth understanding tirelessly towards achieving the 1967 of the ‘behind the scenes’ founders of of the impacts of care and protection constitutional referendum. He was also Shopfront Legal Service, a specialist legislation, and is a strident voice for instrumental in forming the South Coast service established in Sydney for children who have been displaced and Aboriginal Advancement League, which homeless young people in 1993, and are about to go into foster care. Neisha worked to restore land and housing led the initiative to place secondees is known to have an enormous social to Aboriginal communities. He is an in Kingsford Legal Centre and the conscience and provides pro bono initiated Elder of the Jerrinja people in Walgett Violence Prevention Service. assistance to those who cannot afford to the Shoalhaven and a revered ‘Uncle’ Over the years, Peter has personally pay legal fees and who are not eligible in the Illawarra. Fred’s nomination supervised and provided pro bono for Legal Aid. Her nomination recognises recognises his lifelong dedication assistance to Aboriginal organisations, her extraordinary achievements and to improving access to justice for ACON, Mission Australia, NSW Disability her exceptional commitment to helping trade union members, the working Discrimination Legal Centre, the Arabic people access justice. class, women, the elderly, youth and Youth Foundation, and the Shack Aboriginal people. Youth Services. Peter’s foresight and understanding of legal need among Mr Jeremy Rea disadvantaged people has helped continued over... Nominated by Ms Michelle Hannon, develop an ethic of pro bono legal Gilbert + Tobin support and community engagement within Freehills, and this work has been Jeremy spent 20 years in private credited as a catalyst for other large law practice and in 2005 he became an firms embracing pro bono. While pro accredited specialist in criminal law. bono service is now a given for large In January 2008, Jeremy joined the law firms, this nomination recognises Homeless Persons’ Legal Service (HPLS) the compassion, commitment and as a solicitor advocate. Since then, initiative Peter has shown in helping Jeremy has represented more than disadvantaged people access legal 400 homeless clients in local court, services. district court and Supreme Court criminal matters across metropolitan Sydney. Given the circumstances of his clients, including the prevalence

13 Justice Medal cont.

Mr Michael Vassili Ms Nikki Wells Nominated by Mr Kieran Ridley and Nominated by Mr Paul Liccione, Mr Gerry Ambroisine Survivors Australia As well as operating a successful private Having come to terms with her own practice, Michael has dedicated part experience as an adult survivor of of his week, over a number of years, abuse, Nikki decided to help others do to providing pro bono assistance to the same and around two years ago people who are socially or economically she established Survivors Australia. The disadvantaged. He is a founding organisation aims to support survivors member and Honorary Principal and help them to access justice, so they Solicitor of Toongabbie Legal Centre, are empowered to take back control of and continues to attend twice weekly their lives. Nikki has been nominated for legal information sessions. Over the past the outstanding courage, strength and seven years, Michael has worked with initiative she has shown in establishing the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Survivors Australia, and for publicly Council and provided the organisation ‘taking on’ large institutions to raise and its members with advice and awareness of abuse and injustice. support, often beyond the call of duty. Nikki has mentored survivors and For Anaphylaxis Australia, Michael has accompanied them to court, to support provided pro bono assistance in coronial them and help them negotiate the inquests into the deaths of young complexities and formality of the court people by reason of anaphylaxis. He also system. She has also accompanied established the Homelessness Taskforce survivors to police stations to make in Blacktown to tackle the plight of statements. Nikki has recently developed homeless people in the area. Michael and delivered workshops that aim to is known for his commitment to social empower and provide survivors with the justice and his work above and beyond information they need to access justice. the call of duty, to help those less privileged with their legal problems.

14 AcknowledgementsJustice Medal cont.

Mr Dor Achiek Mr Brian Debus Mr Gerry Moore Mr Stan Small Hills Holroyd Parramatta Migrant Menindee Central School Aboriginal Legal Service Anglicare NSW Resource Centre Magistrate Doug Dick Mr Paul Morris The Hon. Paul Stein QC AM Ms Robyn Ayres Wollongong Court House Metropolitan Local Aboriginal D.I. Mick Stoltenberg Arts Law Centre of Australia Ms Priscella Engall Land Council NSW Police Force Ms Annette Bain Hills Holroyd Parramatta Migrant Ms Sharon Mumford Ms Pia Van de Zandt Freehills Foundation Resource Centre SHINE for Kids Legal Aid NSW Professor Eileen Baldry Mr Alistair Ferguson Mr Michael Mundine Ms Brigit Walter University of New South Wales Bourke Alcohol Working Group Aboriginal Housing Company North Richmond Neighbourhood Ms Penny Barletta Mr Phillip French Mr Peter Noble Centre St John’s Anglican Church NSW Disability Discrimination Loddon Campaspe Community Dr Wayne Warburton Darlinghurst Legal Counselling Legal Centre Legal Centre Wesley Mission and Referral Service Mr Jeff Gamble The Hon. Judge Stephen Professor David Weisbrot AM Mr Darren Barton Traffic Offenders Program Norrish QC Macquarie University Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Ms Melodie Gibson District Court of NSW Health Centre Mr Stuart Westgarth Council Mr Steve O’Connor Law Society of NSW Dr Anne Benjamin Mr Paul Gibson Aboriginal Legal Service Toongabbie Legal Centre Dr Betty Weule Ms Liz Giles Mr Mark Orr Financial Counsellors’ Association Mr Jason Behrendt Homelessness Unit, City of ACON of NSW Chalk & Fitzgerald Sydney Mr Nicholas Parkhill Mr Chris Wheeler Ms Joan Bielski AO Mr Laurie Glanfield AM ACON Mallesons Stephen Jaques The Hon. Justice Reginald Department of Attorney General Ms Sonya Pell Ms Pansy Williams Blanch AM and Justice NSW Salvation Army Menindee Community District Court of NSW Ms Louise Goodchild Mr Shane Phillips Working Party The Hon. Catherine Branson QC Frederick Jordan Chambers Tribal Warrior Association Inc. Mr Eric Wilson SC Australian Human Rights Mr Bill Grant The Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP Office of the Director of Commission Law Council of Australia Mr Reg Pollock Public Prosecutions Ms Jemima Brewer Mr Damian Griffis NSW Children’s Court Ms Tamara Winikoff Artemis Legal Aboriginal Disability Network Mr Thomas Prexl National Association for the The Hon. Linda Burney MP NSW Liverpool Court Visual Arts Ms Louise Burton The Hon. John Hatzistergos Mr John Rafferty Ms Krstina Wooi Philanthropy Australia Ms Deirdre Hyslop Macquarie Legal Centre Ms Lynne Worrall Ms Helen Campbell OAM Corrective Services NSW Father Chris Riley AM St John’s Anglican Church Women’s Legal Services NSW Ms Lisa Jackson Pulver AO Youth Off The Streets Darlinghurst Legal Counselling and Referral Service Ms Noeline Carr UNSW School of Public Health Ms Christine Robinson Thiyama-li Family Violence and Community Medicine Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Service The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG Women’s Legal Centre Ms Fay Carroll Mr Alan Kirkland Mr Arthur Rorris Department of Education and South Coast Trades and Training NSW Minister Nesan Kistan Salvation Army Labour Council Mr Terry Chenery Mr Philip Selth OAM Aboriginal Affairs NSW Mr Geoff Lindsay SC NSW Bar Association NSW Bar Association Ms Anna Cody Superintendent Michael Community Legal Centres NSW Mr Tony McAvoy Frederick Jordan Chambers Thomas Mr Craig Cockburn NSW Police Force Nowra Courthouse Mr Charles ‘Uncle Chicka’ Madden Professor Rosamund Thorpe Mr John Corker Metropolitan Local Aboriginal James Cook University, National Pro Bono Resource Land Council Townsville Centre Mr Colin Markham Mr Todd St Vrain Ms Anne Cregan University of Wollongong University of Technology, Sydney Blake Dawson Ms Rachael Martin Mr John Sheahan SC Ms Geraldine Daley Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Wentworth Chambers Colin Daley Quinn Solicitors Women’s Legal Centre Mr Kevin Simpson Ms Lynne Dalton Mr Steve Maxwell Homeless Persons’ Legal Service Centre for Volunteering Liverpool Court Mrs Cathie Sinclair Ms Kathleen Davis-Stewart Mr Abraham Deng Michael Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Nowra Local Court Health Centre

15 The Law and Justice Foundation would like to thank the following organisations for their support Chalk & Fitzgerald is a specialist practice This year Freehills’ structured pro bono focused on serving Indigenous clients, turns 21. The focus of the firm’s pro of the 2011 Justice Awards especially in relation to their lands and bono is to increase access to justice and water. Over the years we have established opportunity, prioritising Reconciliation, a national reputation, acting in many homelessness, disability and health and landmark cases and assisting in the global communities in need. The program development of key legislation, including includes transactional and litigious matters the Native Title Act 1993 and the Aboriginal for not-for-profits and individuals; pro bono Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW). Based in solicitor secondments to community legal Sydney, we act for communities from centres; and providing community legal La Perouse to the Kimberley. The firm education and mentoring to lawyers in the also has a substantial pro bono practice, public interest sector. Since 1993 Freehills especially on behalf of clients facing has operated Sydney’s inner-city Shopfront powerful and well-resourced opponents. Youth Legal Centre with Mission Australia www.chalkfitzgerald.com.au and the Salvation Army, offering legal services to homeless people aged 25 and under. www.freehills.com Pro bono legal work is a fundamental part of being a lawyer at Clayton Utz. This year our Pro Bono practice will provide more than 40,000 hours of legal assistance to people who cannot obtain Gilbert + Tobin believes pro bono work is Legal Aid and cannot afford legal advice an important part of the legal profession’s or representation, and to not-for-profit contribution to the betterment of our organisations that support marginalised community. We share a responsibility to and disadvantaged people. ensure that our legal system is just and www.claytonutz.com equitable, and that everyone in our society has access to legal representation and advice. Law firms are in the privileged position of having the resources to assist people who cannot afford legal services. We are committed to working with all lawyers to build a successful and sustainable pro bono culture throughout Australia that improves access to our legal system. www.gtlaw.com.au

16 Mallesons Stephen Jaques is a leading commercial law firm with a focus on Asia Pacific; we are recognised for our ability to combine consistently rigorous analysis with To improve access to justice, and to astute judgment. Our vision for community make a contribution to the broader involvement is to provide support in community, Seven Wentworth diverse, complementary ways. The depth of partners with a number of firms and the Mallesons in the Community Program organisations to provide pro bono is reflected in its three key components: pro advice and advocacy services. Seven bono advice and representation, workplace Wentworth is proud to be associated giving, and volunteering. The program is with the Law and Justice Awards, underpinned by a number of significant and the recognition they give to partnerships with organisations including the community legal sector and its the National Children’s and Youth Law hardworking volunteers. Centre and the Australian Red Cross. www.sevenwentworth.com.au www.mallesons.com

Minter Ellison has a long-standing commitment to pro bono legal services — the cornerstone of our Community Investment Program. We are proud of our leadership role in establishing the Homeless Persons Legal Service in partnership with the Public Interest Advocacy Centre. Our staff derives enormous satisfaction from our weekly legal clinics at the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre and the Macquarie Legal Centre’s outreach clinic in Claymore. Our aim is to target our assistance to communities in greatest need, with a focus on breaking the cycles of homelessness and disadvantage. www.minterellison.com Law and Justice Foundation of New South Wales Level 14, 130 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Phone: +61 2 8227 3200 Fax: +61 2 9221 6280 Email: [email protected] www.lawfoundation.net.au