Wednesday 31 October 2012 Strangers’ Dining Room Parliament House Macquarie Street, Sydney 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 2012 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 2012 Law and Justice Address by Father Frank Brennan 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 this evening The Hon. Paul Stein QC AM Chair, Board of Governors, Law and Justice Foundation of NSW The Hon. Paul Stein was appointed as Chair of the Law and Justice Foundation of New South Wales in 2005. He became a Judge in 1983 and was appointed to the Land and Environment Court in 1985. In 1997 he was appointed to the Court of Appeal where he remained until his retirement in 2004. He has undertaken a number of reports and reviews for the Government and is the former Chair of the Board of the Environmental Protection Authority. He has chaired committees and associations, in particular the Council of the Community Justice Centres and the National Consumer Affairs Advisory Council. He has contributed articles and papers on environmental, administrative and consumer law as well as human rights and discrimination.

The 2012 Law and Justice Address Father Frank Brennan SJ AO Frank Brennan is a Jesuit priest, an adjunct fellow in the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, and professor of law in the Institute of Legal Studies at the Australian Catholic University, and professor of human rights and social justice at the University of Notre Dame Australia. He has written books on Aboriginal issues (The Wik Debate, One Land One Nation, Sharing the Country and Land Rights Queensland Style), civil liberties (Too Much Order with Too Little Law and Legislating Liberty) and Australia’s asylum policies (Tampering with Asylum). In 2006 he published Acting On Conscience: When Church And State Collide, a book examining the place of religion in Australian politics and law. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for services to Aboriginal Australians, particularly as an advocate in the areas of law, social justice and reconciliation. He and Pat Dodson shared the inaugural ACFOA Human Rights Award from the Australian Council for Overseas Aid. During the 1998 Wik debate, Paul Keating famously referred to him as the ‘meddling priest’. Your MC this evening Richard Glover Richard Glover presents the top rating Drive show on ABC 702 Radio in Sydney and he has published a weekly column in The Sydney Morning Herald for over 20 years. He has been a guest on television programs such as Sunrise, the Morning Show, the Today Show, Sixty Minutes, Lateline and The Glasshouse. Richard is the author of twelve books, the latest of which is Why Men Are Necessary, published by HarperCollins. His other books include The Mud House, a memoir about building a house in the Australian bush, the best-seller Desperate Husbands (also published in translation in Italy and Poland), The Dag’s Dictionary, In Bed with Jocasta and The P-Plate Parent (co-written with Angela Webber).

2 LIAC Centre of Excellence Award

The winners are:

Port Stephens Library Tamworth City Library For 2012 Law Week, Port Stephens Tamworth City Library’s 2012 Law Library developed promotional Week program ‘Legal information for materials and foyer displays to showcase local youth’ developed as a result of a Presented by: Find Legal Answers resources. As part of community meeting where levels of the display, staff created a presentation crime in the local area, especially levels of Ms Frances Sims on the resources which was screened juvenile offences, were issues identified Director continuously during Law Week. The as a concern. In response to these issues, Public Library and library also designed and delivered a the Library screened the short film free two-hour hands-on workshop on Burn, a major crime prevention project Community Learning Find Legal Answers tailored for members by Legal Aid NSW for young people Services of the Port Stephens Third Age Learning about group offending. The film aims State Library of NSW Inc (U3A). The workshop was based to prevent young people participating around finding answers to everyday in serious group assaults and robberies. questions that this particular group Legal Aid NSW facilitated a discussion Sponsored by: may have about the law. The aim of the session after the screening and talked Legal Information Access workshop was to increase awareness about legal issues for young people in Centre (LIAC) of the legal resources available in the general. The event was well attended by community and as a result of very young people in the area, and as a result, positive feedback from participants, a relationship between the Library and another workshop has been planned. disengaged youth was established. The LIAC is a statewide service The Library has also reported increased Library also conducted other successful providing free community use of the legal collection as a result of events as part of its Law Week program, access to legal information. the workshop. including a presentation for local HSC LIAC is an initiative of the Legal Studies students on accessing legal State Library of NSW and the information and family law, presented Law and Justice Foundation of by a solicitor from Legal Aid and the NSW, and is jointly funded by manager of the local Family Relationships the Public Purpose Fund and Centre. 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 are:

Central Coast Community Redfern Legal Centre Legal Centre Unfair Dismissal Representation Central Coast Domestic Violence Scheme Legal Outreach Project Redfern Legal Centre’s (RLC) Unfair Central Coast Community Legal Centre Dismissal Representation Scheme is ran Central Coast Domestic Violence run in partnership with Clayton Utz. Presented by: Legal Outreach Project, a two-year The Scheme provides free advice and Ms Anna Cody project that aimed to provide women representation to low income employees and children who are affected by or at in unfair dismissal conciliation Chair risk of domestic violence with one-on- conferences. Clayton Utz solicitors, while Community Legal one legal advice, appropriate referrals working as secondees for RLC, provide Centres NSW and information on victims’ services, legal assistance to clients with their cases family law, tenancy and apprehended including representation at conciliation Sponsored by: domestic violence orders. Through the conferences and advice on settlement project, community legal education agreements. sessions were conducted to raise Community Legal awareness of the social impact and legal University of Newcastle Legal Centres NSW implications of domestic and family Centre violence. Law on the Beach — Taking the Law The Community Legal Hawkesbury Nepean to Young People Centres NSW Award this year Community Legal Centre University of Newcastle Law School is presented for a project in a developed an innovative approach to Domestic Violence & Renting community legal centre that providing free legal information and Hawkesbury Nepean CLC developed demonstrates outstanding advice to young people by initiating Domestic Violence & Renting, a user- commitment to improving Law on the Beach drop-in clinics. These friendly booklet that sets out step-by- access to justice in NSW, drop-in clinics are an outreach activity step the options available to victims run at a popular summer venue in order particularly for socially and of domestic violence who are renting to directly engage young people. economically disadvantaged and may want to leave the property people. or force the perpetrator to leave. The Women’s Legal Services NSW Community Legal Centres options available to victims are varied Safe in Our Place NSW provides secretariat and complex, and the booklet is a Women’s Legal Services Safe in Our tool that victims can use to effectively Place is a 12-month community support to NSW community navigate through the residential tenancy legal education project that provides legal centres working for the legislation. culturally appropriate services to public interest, particularly for disadvantaged and Kingsford Legal Centre (KLC) women from emerging culturally and linguistically diverse communities marginalised people and Education through Case Studies on family violence issues. Its focus is Kingsford Legal Centre’s Education communities. on the most disadvantaged areas of through Case Studies project aimed to NSW and regions with recently arrived www.clcnsw.org.au educate vulnerable, migrant women communities. The workshops are also about their rights at work through a an opportunity for participants to practical ‘workshop’ approach using case meet local domestic violence service studies drawn from their experience. providers. The project was a partnership between KLC, Legal Aid NSW and Asian Women at Work. The project was funded through the Legal Aid NSW/Community Legal Centre Partnership Program.

4 Law Society President’s Award

The nominees are:

Mr Emmanuel Conditsis Ms Greta King Conditsis & Associates King Legal Lawyers Greta is the founder and Principal Emmanuel (‘Manny’) has more than of King Legal and has expertise in a wide range of practice areas, although Presented by: 27 years’ experience in criminal law and is recognised as one of the most her focus is predominantly on family Mr Justin Dowd experienced trial advocates in NSW. and commercial law matters. Greta readily assists with matters for the President Manny is committed to community outreach and regularly provides pro Law Society Pro Bono Scheme, and The Law Society of bono legal services to community has demonstrated great patience and New South Wales members. His practice is based in understanding, particularly when Gosford, where there are few solicitors dealing with clients who are victims of who are part of the Law Society Pro domestic violence or in complex family Sponsored by: Bono Scheme. Manny is heavily relied law matters. The Law Society of upon by the Scheme to assist clients in Mr Mark Smith the area and is always willing to do so. New South Wales He is a valued member of the Scheme Brander Smith McKnight and he has achieved excellent results Mark has been Principal of Brander Smith McKnight since 2006 and he The Law Society President’s for many clients. He also provides advice and guidance to the Law has a broad range of legal experience. Award is presented to Society’s Pro Bono Solicitor on more The firm’s services are focussed in an individual solicitor for complex criminal matters. the Sutherland Shire, St George and pro bono work through Wollongong areas, and while only the Law Society Pro Bono Mr Robert Kaufmann recently registered under the Law Scheme. The Scheme aims to CrimLaw Australia Society Pro Bono Scheme, the firm has increase access to justice by Robert is the Principal Lawyer and accepted some challenging referrals in the areas of family and criminal law. accepting applications from founder of CrimLaw, a team of disadvantaged people and dedicated lawyers that offer services predominantly in criminal law and referring them to solicitors traffic offences. An accredited specialist prepared to act on a pro bono in criminal law, Robert is a strong basis. supporter of the Law Society Pro Bono The Law Society of NSW is the Scheme and has made a significant contribution particularly over the past professional association for year. His contributions to the Scheme the solicitors’ branch of the have included matters in domestic legal profession, representing violence, criminal law and animal law, more than 23,000 lawyers and he often accepts matters on short in New South Wales. The notice. 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 are:

Ms Penny Broekhuizen Ms Elizabeth Gilmore Nominated by Ms Phoenix Van Dyke, Nominated by Ms Cathy Saunders, Inner Sydney Tenants’ Advice & Community Restorative Centre Advocacy Service Since her retirement 11 years ago, Penny has committed a full day, Elizabeth has been improving the Presented by: every week for the past three years, ability of individuals to access and at the Inner Sydney Tenants’ Advice deal with the processes of the courts Mr Garry McGrath SC and Advocacy Service, where her as a volunteer with the Community Bar Council Member outstanding skills and knowledge have Restorative Centre’s Court Support The New South Wales been invaluable in achieving excellent Scheme. Volunteering at least once a results for clients, particularly women week at Penrith Court (where she used Bar Association experiencing domestic violence. She to work), Elizabeth supports around 250 regularly works beyond her weekly people every month who are affected by Sponsored by: commitment to assist clients to be the criminal justice system by providing rehoused or attend tribunal hearings. information on court procedures, The New South Wales Penny is a fierce advocate and takes referrals to community and government Bar Association a holistic and proactive approach to agencies, and she also offers general helping disadvantaged clients with their assistance to Legal Aid solicitors. housing issues, including providing Elizabeth is known for her warm, caring The Law and Justice Volunteer them with referrals to other agencies personality and her ability to set people Award is presented to an to assist them to deal with the range at ease in the court environment. Her individual or a group of of complex problems they often detailed knowledge and experience of individuals, who, in a voluntary experience. the court and legal system is recognised capacity, have demonstrated as an asset by all and she is highly Criminal Justice Support an outstanding commitment valued as a volunteer by the Centre. Network Volunteers to improving access to justice, Dr Jann Karp particularly for socially and Nominated by Ms Alex Faraguna, Intellectual Disability Rights Service Nominated by Dr Xanthe Mallett, economically disadvantaged The Criminal Justice Support Network University of New England people. This may have occurred (CJSN) volunteers provide invaluable Jann has been a volunteer advocate in a range of activities over an support to people with intellectual and support person for over 20 years, extended period, or in a single disability who come in contact with the particularly for people with drug-related significant activity. Nominees criminal justice system. CJSN has been and mental health problems who come must not be current legal steadily building its volunteer team and into contact with the criminal justice practitioners. extending its outreach services further system. As a former police officer, in regional NSW. Last year, the 124 CJSN Jann saw first-hand the difficulties The New South Wales Bar volunteers provided over 1000 supports disadvantaged people faced in dealing Association is a voluntary across Sydney, Illawarra/Shoalhaven, with their legal issues and her particular association of practicing Hunter, Central Coast and Mid North focus has been on assisting those who barristers. Its aims include Coast. The volunteers provide a range of have been ‘knocked-back time and time promoting the administration support services at court, police stations, again’ or inappropriately dealt with by of justice, and making legal appointments, adult and juvenile the criminal and health systems. Jann recommendations with respect conferencing and mediation, with their provides court support and referrals, to legislation, law reform, rules key aim being to ensure the rights of the assists people with legal documents and of court, and court business individual are upheld. helps them to understand their rights. and procedure. It has a strong Whatever their individual needs or their crime, Jann finds a way to help people, commitment to pro bono, both with a belief that everyone deserves to through its Legal Assistance be treated as a human being. Referral Scheme, and the pro bono work carried out informally by members of the Bar. www.nswbar.asn.au

6 Ms Shoshana Robuck, Ms Manorma Smith Ms Remona Zheng and Nominated by Mr Keith Collins, Ms Stephanie Zughbi— NSW Justices Association Juvenile Justice Mentoring Manorma has been nominated for her commitment to the Canterbury Branch Scheme of the NSW Justice of the Peace, of Nominated by Ms Niamh Mooney, which she is currently the President. Sydney University Law Society Manorma successfully established and Shoshana, Remona and Stephanie have coordinated JP kiosks at Campsie and been nominated for their outstanding Lakemba libraries. Each kiosk operates voluntary work, over a short period of weekly and services an estimated time, in establishing and coordinating 100 people per week. The kiosks provide a Juvenile Justice Mentoring Scheme a valuable service for local residents, at Juniperina Correctional Centre for particularly those on Centrelink benefits young women. Beginning in 2011, and living in social housing, who the three law students devised an regularly have forms and paperwork innovative program to engage fellow that require the services of a JP. The students to participate as mentors kiosks also assist many people from and provide the young inmates with non-English speaking backgrounds who information, support and diverse need help reading and understanding programs to be involved in. To ensure documentation. As a result of the JP the Scheme would succeed in the kiosks, the libraries have noted an long term, the students worked with increase in library users and visitors. Juniperina staff to risk-assess all the activities, and devised a comprehensive training program for mentors. The inmates have responded positively to the program and there are now a core group of mentors committed to the Scheme, which is soon to be expanded to other correctional centres. Major Trevor Nicol Nominated by Detective Sergeant Lindsay McGillicuddy, Hurstville Local Area Command, NSW Police For many years, Major Trevor Nicol has made himself available at all hours of the night to attend Hurstville Local Area Command as an advocate and support person for young people and vulnerable people who have been arrested. Major Nicol readily assists anyone who needs advocacy and support at Hurstville Police Station, which is work above and beyond his duties as a Salvation Army Officer, where his responsibilities are focussed on his congregation. Often called upon at short notice and sometimes more than once in the same evening, Major Nicol supports people through the interview process to ensure that their rights are respected and that they understand the legal system and what they are being charged with.

7 Pro Bono Partnership Award

The nominees are:

Amnesty International Cancer Council Legal Referral Australia with DLA Piper Service with partners Amnesty International Australia is Established in March 2010, the Cancer a national organisation which aims Council Legal Referral Service (CCLRS) to raise local, national and global grew its pro bono partnership from a Presented by: awareness of human rights issues. six-month pilot project with four law Mr John Corker In NSW, Amnesty coordinates and firms to a network of 144 partners supports hundreds of volunteers to across metropolitan and regional Director act on human rights issues through NSW. Through its network of pro bono National Pro Bono locally based chapters and runs partners, the CCLRS has assisted 1000 Resource Centre programs to assist refugees and asylum clients per year with a range of legal seekers, domestic violence victims and issues relating to wills and estates, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment, superannuation, and Sponsored by: people. DLA Piper has provided pro financial hardship matters. The service bono support to Amnesty for more than is unique in that it is integrated with The National Pro Bono five years, and during that time the firm health, counselling and casework Resource Centre has assisted with case work, provided services, and legal assistance is given advice to support the implementation by lawyers in offices, homes, hospitals, This Award is presented to of human rights awareness campaigns palliative care facilities and other venues private law firms, community and contributed to Amnesty’s work with as required by patients. The co-location organisations and/or community local refugee groups and Indigenous of services has increased access to legal centres in NSW that have organisations. justice for chronically ill clients who are unable to afford or access legal advice. developed an outstanding Arts Law Centre with pro bono legal assistance Australian Government South Coast, Far West, Central relationship resulting in West, Mid North Coast improved access to justice for Solicitor Since 2009, Australian Government Cooperative Legal Service disadvantaged people in the Solicitor (AGS) has provided experienced community. Delivery program with Ashurst lawyers with a range of expertise on For a number of years, the pro bono The National Pro Bono Resource secondment to the Arts Law Centre, a assistance of Ashurst has enabled the Centre is an independent, non- national community legal centre for the Cooperative Legal Service Delivery profit organisation committed to arts. This has provided Arts Law with an (CLSD) regional coordinators to respond additional staff member to assist with supporting and promoting pro to their local community needs and their telephone advice and document bono legal services in Australia. provide disadvantaged and remote review service. The highly-used service communities, many of whom are As advocate, broker, coordinator, receives around 95 requests for Aboriginal, with free legal advice and researcher and resource provider, assistance per month, half of which are services. As well as providing pro bono the Centre plays a unique estimated to be from NSW-based artists case work and support for solicitors leadership and coordination role. and art organisations. As a specialist in in regional community legal centres, Commonwealth legislation, AGS has www.nationalprobono.org.au Ashurst has supported the targeted assisted Arts Law with the major task initiatives of CLSD, including travelling of updating their public information to small, isolated communities to following introduction of the Personal deliver free legal information and Properties and Securities Act 2009 earlier services on wills, power of attorney and this year, and provided specialist advice guardianship. to Indigenous artists who are part of Arts Law’s Artists in the Black program.

8 Kingsford Legal Centre Offshore Asylum Seeker with Freehills Project with partners For 20 years, Freehills has provided Following the landmark decision Kingsford Legal Centre with a full-time by the High Court in M61/2010E v secondee solicitor on six-monthly Commonwealth of Australia in November rotations, high-level advocacy at a 2010, Balmain for Refugees and other corporate level and administrative community agencies experienced support. The secondee program has increased demand from asylum seekers become a vital part of the Centre’s for help with applications to the service in many ways as it essentially Federal Magistrates Court of Australia provides KLC with an additional full- to review adverse decisions of the time staff member. This enables KLC Refugee Review Tribunal. In response to offer more services—for example, to this need, Balmain for Refugees, it enables KLC to conduct outreach Law Society of NSW, Legal Aid NSW, clinics for disadvantaged clients who NSW Bar Association, PILCH and the are not able to come into the Centre to Refugee Advice and Casework Service access services. The secondee solicitor established the Offshore Asylum also participates in all areas of KLC’s Seeker Project in 2011. Through the services including advice and case project, a pro bono partnership was work, community legal education, law established with 124 barristers and reform and policy work, and they are private practice law firms in NSW, and a able to provide expertise in specific process implemented where each case areas of law. An additional benefit of is assessed individually on its merits the program is that the secondee is able for judicial review. This collaboration to mentor law students at the Centre between the community legal sector, and demonstrate the value of pro bono non-legal community organisations work to these future solicitors. and private practice ensures that legal assistance is provided to one of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged client groups in Australian society.

9 Aboriginal Justice Award

The nominees are:

Mr Ian Bloomfield Mr Timothy ‘John’ Fernando Nominated by Mr Anthony Nominated by Mr Jeff Woodgate, Paulson, Tirkandi Inaburra Cultural Corrective Services NSW Development Centre For over 15 years, John has been the Ian is a Wiradjuri man from the ‘go-to man’ on matters involving Presented by: Murrumbidgee River Clan and the Aboriginal offenders in the Riverina Community Care Coordinator at Tirkandi region, in his role as an Aboriginal Client The Hon. Greg Smith SC MP Inaburra Cultural Development Centre, Service Officer for Corrective Services Attorney General and a specialist school for Aboriginal boys NSW in Wagga Wagga. Originally a Minister for Justice aged 12 to 15 years. Ian works in a Kamilaroi man from Walgett, John has preventative capacity and aims to developed in-depth knowledge of the engage at-risk youth, to give these kinship protocols of both Kamilaroi Sponsored by: boys an opportunity to learn about and Wiradjuri people. His sensitivity their culture and steer them away from in dealing with issues arising from Department of Attorney the juvenile justice system. Through the gap between the systems — law, General and Justice NSW his work, Ian has been a key link in police, courts, probation and parole, successfully engaging families and and traditional Aboriginal culture — has connecting them with the services they earned him the respect of Aboriginal require. Over the past two years, Ian has communities across a large area of The Aboriginal Justice Award met with over 150 families in regional NSW. He is known as a quiet achiever is presented to an Aboriginal and remote areas in NSW, regularly who goes out of his way to prevent individual or group of individuals driving long distances throughout the simple matters turning into complex who have demonstrated week and on weekends, to meet people legal problems, and who does his best outstanding commitment to face-to-face to discuss their needs and to help people avoid ending up in jail improving access to justice for how Tirkandi can help. unnecessarily. Aboriginal people in NSW. This Mr Keith Cochrane Mr Colin Gale may have occurred in a range of Nominated by Mr Greg Piper, MP, Nominated by Mr Dominic Wykanak, activities over a long period, or in Member for Lake Macquarie Waverley Council a single significant activity. Keith is a Biripi man who works as an Colin is a Darug elder who is committed The Foundation acknowledges Aboriginal Client Service Specialist at to raising awareness about the Darug the support of the Department the Department of Attorney General people and their origins in the Sydney of Attorney General and Justice and Justice in Toronto. Keith has helped area, and has pursued this through many Aboriginal people in the local his former roles as Chairman of Darug NSW. community with their legal problems, Link and Darug Tribal Aboriginal www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au particularly those who have issues with Corporation. Colin has also pursued overdue fines. He is known as someone native title claims for the Darug people, who is approachable, available and and helped influence the development effective in his role, and who doesn’t just of the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act ‘do his job’. Keith has recently extended 1983. He has represented Aboriginal his duties to establish the Toronto organisations across the Sydney region Drug Court program and associated and has worked closely with the NSW with that, the Burning Wood program, Government, local governments, NSW which aims to encourage rehabilitating National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Aboriginal clients to ‘stick with it’ and Australian Olympic Committee, and the achieve positive outcomes through Native Title Tribunal. other activities. In addition to his paid role, Keith provides support to inmates and their families on weekends and after hours, and works on a range of community projects to divert Aboriginal offenders away from reoffending by engaging them in their culture.

10 Mr Linden McGrady Ms Melissa ‘Mary’ O’Neill Ms Genelle Purcell Nominated by The Hon. Kevin Nominated by Ms Kelly Humphrey, Nominated by Ms Joanne Llewellyn, Humphries, Member for Barwon Catholic Schools Office Maclean Local Court After many years working at Moree Mary is a Kamilaroi woman who is Genelle is a Yaegel woman who is Courthouse and in the Murri passionate about young people and currently the Aboriginal Community community, Linden, a Kamilaroi about empowering them to change Justice Group Coordinator at Maclean man, took up a role at the newly their circumstances. Mary manages Court. Genelle is the driving force established Clontarf Foundation at a post-release program for Anglicare behind a range of projects in the Yamba Moree Secondary College, with the where she helps offenders and at-risk and Maclean Aboriginal communities aims of assisting students to complete youth who do not have the support that aim to deal with issues such as school and secure employment, and structure of some of their peers, to stay unlicensed driving, adult literacy and encouraging behavioural change and out of the juvenile justice system. Mary domestic violence. She takes a hands- positive attitudes. As a man committed has initiated a range of community on approach to working with the to the Murri community, Linden uses programs, including a domestic community and is known as a ‘doer’ his vast experience and his first-hand violence education program in the — when she commits to something knowledge of the local Indigenous local high school, and she co-founded people know and trust that she’ll community and at-risk youth to steer a mentoring program for at-risk youth. get it done. In addition to this role, vulnerable young people away from Mary also works closely with Wagga Genelle runs sporting activities and a the juvenile justice system. He supports RLFC to facilitate the young people’s breakfast kitchen for children, and has and mentors Aboriginal youth through participation in sport — she not only successfully raised money to fund a a range of sporting programs to try and makes sure they attend sessions literacy program with a view to helping raise retention rates, and assist them she also ensures they have the basic Aboriginal children to stay in school and to participate more meaningfully in necessities such as food to keep them out of the juvenile justice system. society. going. On a personal level, Mary has taken co-guardianship of at-risk children Ms Cathy Ryan Mr Paul Mumbler to provide them with the support they Nominated by Ms Krista Christensen, Nominated by Ms Kelly Humphrey, need to stay at school. Corrective Services NSW Catholic Schools Office Cathy has been nominated for her Paul is a Wiradjuri man who works as Ms Doreen Peters work in Corrective Services NSW the Aboriginal Community Liaison Nominated by Mr Jason over the past 15 years, where she has Officer (ACLO) with Wagga Wagga Local Lonesborough, Department of worked intensively with Aboriginal Area Command. Paul is recognised for Attorney General and Justice NSW inmates to ensure they are able to his fortitude in working between the Doreen has been a dedicated and long- access the programs required for their police and Aboriginal communities, time advocate of working for a better rehabilitation or parole. She has also and his commitment to implementing future for Aboriginal people through strongly advocated for inmates to be in preventative measures to avoid reduced incarceration rates. Prior to her the jail closest to their families by being recidivism. This has led Paul to develop retirement last year, Doreen worked involved in the classification process. and enlist support for a range of for NSW Police for 37 years, where Despite working in an environment that initiatives to engage young offenders she spent more than a decade as the is highly unpredictable and tense, and and at-risk children, and to educate the interface between how the Aboriginal where it is difficult to please everyone, community about domestic violence. community and NSW Police engage. Cathy fosters positive relationships For one particular project, ‘Dance Away Doreen was instrumental in developing between inmates and officers by Violence’, Paul selected a group of the current training program for NSW exemplifying professionalism at all children to form the steering committee Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers times. Her relationship-building skills and he provided them with resources, and as Manager of the Aboriginal have extended beyond departmental advice and supervision to empower Programs and Strategy, she led the staff and into the community, where them to ‘make it happen’. The children response of NSW Police across a range she has established networks with developed self-esteem by being trusted of activities. She is known as a proud community agencies, elders and family with the responsibility of putting Gamilaroi woman who is not afraid members, to promote cultural identity together the show, and the project to fight for what she believes in and and growth, and to improve morale and received an overwhelmingly positive someone who has led the way in community contact for Koori inmates. response from the community. implementing a policing response which is appropriate, fair and respectful of Aboriginal people.

11 Justice Medal

The nominees are:

Ms Theodora Ahilas people in regional and remote NSW, and Law and Justice Nominated by Ms Anna Walsh, people with low housing security and at OF NEW Maurice Blackburn Lawyers risk of homelessness. Foundation SOUTH WALES Theodora has been nominated for her 21-year commitment to improving Ms Robyn Cottrell-Jones Nominated by Ms Jennifer Nixon, Presented by: access to justice for victims of asbestos, University of New South Wales The Hon. Paul Stein QC AM many of whom are blue collar workers Following her own experience of violent such as tradespeople, who have worked Chair, Board of Governors, assault, Robyn became a volunteer in the building and construction Law and Justice at the Victims of Crime Assistance industries and been exposed to League (VOCAL), with a view to fixing Foundation of NSW toxic dust. Known for her patience, the gaps in the legal system which professionalism and compassion, she had experienced first-hand. Over Theodora has developed a specialist Sponsored by: time, she developed a holistic, inclusive practice in this area of law and through program which culminated in the Law and Justice her work, she aims to bridge the opening of the Victim Support Centre in relationship between legal and medical Foundation of NSW Newcastle. Robyn is recognised for her practitioners, in order to achieve results 18 years at VOCAL where she has led for clients who often have limited time a needs-based, cutting edge, positive to live. In addition to working many victim-support program, and personally The Justice Medal is presented hours above and beyond the call of acted as a life-coach and mentor to to an individual for outstanding duty, Theodora carries the heavy toll of many clients who were vulnerable and achievement in improving access dealing with families who have been disadvantaged, while aiming to address devastated by disease, injury and death. to justice in NSW, particularly systemic issues affecting victims of Theodora has further assisted victims for socially and economically crimes and the broader community. disadvantaged people. This and their families by helping them to may have been demonstrated establish support groups, as well as Mr Mark Dennis actively campaigning for legislative in a range of activities over an Nominated by Mr Stephen Lawrence, change to ensure victims’ rights are Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT extended period or work over a maintained. shorter period but of exceptional Mark began his legal career as a impact. Ms Louise Blazejowska solicitor for the Western Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) where he worked Nominated by Mr Bill Grant, www.lawfoundation.net.au for over a decade before being Legal Aid NSW admitted as a barrister. Mark has Since her admission as a solicitor in worked tirelessly to advance the legal 1984, Louise has been instrumental in interest of disadvantaged people, contributing to policy development particularly Aboriginal people, through and law reform in NSW, through her the development of case law in NSW. work in various government agencies. Mark’s work on the exercise of police She is known as a highly skilled policy powers is of particular significance as and program strategist, who has it has been of outstanding assistance demonstrated a capacity to envisage to lawyers defending disadvantaged and implement multifaceted, joint- people, and his contribution in the area agency approaches to addressing is well recognised. In addition to his complex disadvantage. Louise’s outstanding work as a criminal lawyer achievements include her work on the for over 20 years, Mark has dedicated Young Offenders Act 1997, and her roles his personal time to providing pro bono in establishing the Women’s Domestic assistance and support to the ALS, and Violence Court Advocacy Program, educating and resourcing the profession the Domestic Violence Practitioner in relevant areas of the law. He maintains Scheme and the successful Streetwise free web resources for criminal lawyers, publications that circulated for more runs not-for-profit community legal than a decade. Louise has worked education training and is a volunteer passionately and diligently to improve on the Board of the Immigration Advice access to justice for Aboriginal people, and Rights Centre.

12 Ms Julia Haraksin Mr Peter Kelso Mr Michael Vassili Nominated by Ms Anne Mangan, Nominated by Ms Gail Haines, Nominated by Mr Kieran Ridley, Department of Attorney General and Kelso’s Law Firm Toongabbie Legal Centre Justice NSW Peter founded his legal practice in As well as operating a commercial Julia is the Manager of Diversity Services Newcastle in 1986 and following law firm, Michael Vassili undertakes at the NSW Department of Attorney the establishment of the Victims a range of pro bono legal work for General and Justice, and she has been Compensation Tribunal in 1988, he people who are socially or economically nominated for her exceptional work in began to specialise in this area of law. disadvantaged. Michael has been this role. Julia is recognised as having Over the past 25 years, Peter has assisted nominated for his work over the past driven cultural and behavioural change socially and economically disadvantaged seven years for a number of community across the Department, and she has people, particularly women and children organisations including Link-Up NSW, been instrumental in a vast range of who have been the victims of domestic the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal community initiatives focussing not violence and sexual assault, to access Land Council, Toongabbie Legal Centre only on those with disabilities, but justice and legal services. Peter’s work and Anaphylaxis Australia. He also diverse communities including newly on the case of Hua ‘Betty’ Tippins is established the Homelessness Taskforce arrived communities. As an individual, one example of his extraordinary in Blacktown to tackle the plight of Julia has had a significant impact on the commitment above and beyond the homeless people in the area. He is known way the Department interacts with the call of duty to champion the rights of for his commitment to social justice and community— she proposed the creation a domestic violence victim. Peter has his work above and beyond the call of of the Disability Advisory Council and spent countless hours attending refuges duty to help those less privileged with played a key role in the development and community organisations across their legal problems. and implementation of their Disability the Hunter and Sydney regions to advise Strategic Plans. She has been the driving women of their potential entitlements, force behind initiatives which have had and he assists at-risk youth through his resounding uptake at a community level, local church and through his role on an such as the Capacity Toolkit and the Law audit panel reviewing compensation for and You DVD, which has been translated wards of the state. into seven African languages. In addition to her paid work, Julia has been a long- Ms Elizabeth Morley standing public advocate of the rights of Nominated by Ms Helen Campbell, people with disability and a member of Women’s Legal Services NSW People with Disability Australia. Elizabeth has dedicated the last Ms Martha Jabour 30 years to helping disadvantaged people through community legal centres. Nominated by Ms Cherie Burton, MP, For the past ten years, Elizabeth has Member for Kogarah worked as Principal Solicitor at Redfern Over the past 18 years, Martha has Legal Centre, where she has provided supported victims of crime through frontline assistance to disadvantaged the Homicide Victims Support Group people on a daily basis, and engaged (HVSG). Originally one of the volunteers local Indigenous and CALD communities who founded the group, Martha went with the legal system through outreach. on to become the driving force behind She is known as someone who does the organisation, which has grown in not shy away from challenging clients membership to 3000 families, many of and she puts in whatever time is whom are socially and economically needed to help them navigate the most disadvantaged. As well as agitating for complicated matters to find a solution. legislative change, Martha personally Where others would give up, Elizabeth is provides care, support and advocacy known to display never-ending patience for the families, and she ensures that and energy, to achieve excellent results their causes and concerns are taken to for the disadvantaged people who come the highest possible levels. Martha was to her for help. recently named 2012 Local Woman of the Year for Parramatta and she sits on a number of committees on behalf of HVSG, including the NSW Sentencing Council.

13 Acknowledgements

Mr Todd Adams Mr Jay Clowes Shoalhaven Hospital Fishburn Watson O’Brien Mr Brad Addison Aunty Marilyn Cochrane Riverina Anglicare Ms Anna Cody Mr Ray Araullo Kingsford Legal Centre Royal North Shore Hospital Mr Graeme Corbett Mr Lloyd Atkinson Toronto Court Tirkandi Inaburra Cultural Development Centre Mr John Corker Ms Robyn Ayres National Pro Bono Resource Cente Arts Law Centre Mr Daniel Creasy Ms Barbara Baker DLA Piper Dust Diseases Tribunal NSW Ms Mariette Curcuruto Dr Eileen Baldry Far West Community Legal Service University of NSW Ms Mary Cusumano Ms Jenny Bargen Homicide Victims Support Group University of Sydney Ms Lisa D’Ambra Ms Michelle Baumgartner Immigration Advice and Rights Centre Elandra Women & Children’s Services Ms Geraldine Daley Mr Jason Behrendt Colin Daley Quinn Chalk & Fitzgerald Ms Lynne Dalton Mr Simon Benson Volunteering NSW 16 Wardell Chambers Mr Brian Dennison Mr John Berg Department of Attorney General and Justice NSW Australian Government Solicitor Ms Mieke Dixon Mr Ricky Binge Australian Government Solicitor Ms Kaye Blackman Mrs Ann Doughan Amnesty International Australia Hawkesbury Cancer Support Group Mr Stephen Blanks Mr Justin Dowd NSW Council of Civil Liberties Law Society of NSW Mr Paul Borls Mr Adam Drummond Campsie Library Ignite Mentor Program Ms Natalie Bradshaw Mr Wally El-Guindy Redfern Legal Centre Corrective Services NSW Ms Beverly Bryant Ms Delwyn Everard Bega Valley Oncology-Haematology Service Arts Law Centre The Hon. Linda Burney, MP Mr Andrew Ferguson Member for Canterbury Hurstville Local Area Command, NSW Police Force Ms Patricia Ceminara Ms Holly Fingland Tirkandi Inaburra Cultural Development Centre Amnesty International Australia Mr Andrew Chalk Ms Shani Galleghan Chalk & Fitzgerald Link-Up NSW Ms Diana Change Ms Margaret Garraway Clifford Chance Ms Frances Gibson Ms Alexandra Chappell University of New South Wales Sydney University Law Society Ms Sally Gillam Mr Terry Chenery Department of Education and Communities NSW Hunter Aboriginal Children’s Services Mr Laurie Glanfield AM Ms Stephanie Chia Department of Attorney General and Justice NSW Dust Diseases Tribunal NSW Ms Denise Heydon Mr Richard Christie Corrective Services NSW Christie Law Ms Kim Hobbs Major Dean Clarke Westmead Hospital Salvation Army

14 Justice Medal cont.

Ms Benita Howell Ms Jo Renkin HWL Ebsworth Lawyers Lander & Rogers Lawyers Ms Michelle Jessop Mr David Roberts Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT NSW Police Ms Margaret Jones Ms Wendy Robertson Redfern Legal Centre Community Restorative Centre Ms Michelle Jones Ms Christine Robinson Women’s Domestic Violence Case Assistance Program Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre Ms Brenda Kerry Mr Michael Rosenfeld Wagga Wagga City Council Sparke Helmore Mr Steve Kinmond The Hon. Kevin Rozzoli AM NSW Ombudsman Ms Laurel Russ Lt. Col. Peter Laws NSW Ombudsman Salvation Army Ms Jane Sanders Mr John Laycock The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre Homicide Victims Support Group Mr Adam Schreiber Ms Anna McCann Corrective Services NSW Baker McKenzie Mr Peter Shiels Mr Alastair McEwin Penrith Court Community Legal Centres NSW Mr Jim Simpson Det. Sgt. Lindsay McGillicuddy NSW Council for Intellectual Disability Hurstville Local Area Command, NSW Police Mr Rod Smith Mr Garry McGrath SC Wagga Wagga Local Area Command NSW Bar Association Ms Susan Smith Mr Phillip McIntosh Sydney Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service Commins Hendricks Solicitors Ms Wendy Strathdee Mr John McKenzie Jack Shand Chambers Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT Ms Linda Steele Mr Daniel McNamee University of Sydney Clontarf Foundation The Hon. Paul Stein QC AM Mr Bob Martin Ms Jeanette Suttie Ms Michelle Maynard Ms Jacqui Swinburne Perpetual Ltd Redfern Legal Centre Ms Sarah Neal Dr Graeme Swincer Lake Macquarie City Council Ms Andria Sylvester Mr Eddy Neumann North Coast Cancer Institute Eddy Neumann Lawyers Ms Jennifer Tetsall Ms Justine O’Sullivan DLA Piper University of Western Sydney Mr Brendan Thomas Mr Tim Owen AM, MP Department of Attorney General and Justice NSW Member for Newcastle Ms Michelle Underwood Ms Julie Perkins Juniperina Juvenile Justice Centre Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT Mr Hewitt Whyman Ms Clare Petre Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW Mr Adam Whyte Mr Glen Plowright NSW Police Commissioner’s Office Juniperina Juvenile Justice Centre Ms Mandy Young Ms Tabitha Ponnambalam Department of Attorney General and Justice NSW Mr Dennis Purcell Wagga Brothers RLFC

15 Acknowledgements

The Law and Justice Foundation of NSW would like to thank the following organisations for their support of the 2012 Justice Awards.

In March 2012, Ashurst and Blake Chalk & Fitzgerald is a specialist Dawson combined forces to form one practice focused on serving The focus of Freehills Foundation global team under the Ashurst brand. Indigenous clients, especially in is to increase access to justice and opportunity, prioritising reconciliation, At Ashurst we accept and take relation to their lands and water. homelessness, disability and health seriously our responsibility to make Over the years we have established a and global communities in need. The legal services available to all. As a law national reputation, acting in many program includes transactional and firm, the most useful contribution we landmark cases and assisting in the litigious matters for not-for-profits can make to the community is to use development of key legislation, and individuals; pro bono solicitor our knowledge and expertise to assist including the Native Title Act 1993 secondments to community legal people and organisations which could and the Aboriginal Land Rights Act centres; and providing community not otherwise access legal services. 1983 (NSW). Based in Sydney, we act for communities from La Perouse legal education and mentoring to Through our extensive pro bono to the Kimberley. The firm also has lawyers in the public interest sector. program we act for individuals and a substantial pro bono practice, Since 1993, the firm has operated not-for-profit organisations in a wide especially on behalf of clients Sydney’s inner-city Shopfront Youth range of matters. Our work includes facing powerful and well-resourced Legal Centre with Mission Australia providing legal opinions and advice, opponents. and the Salvation Army, offering drafting and negotiation, litigation, legal services to homeless people www.chalkfitzgerald.com.au law and policy reform and community aged 25 and under. In 1992, Freehills legal education. We send our lawyers established its first pro bono solicitor and other staff on secondment to secondment in NSW to Kingsford Legal work with community legal and Centre. It continues to this day. welfare organisations from the inner- www.herbertsmithfreehills.com cities to remote northern Australia. Pro bono legal work is a fundamental We also use the wider resources of the part of being a lawyer at Clayton firm to support community legal and Utz. This year our Pro Bono practice welfare organisations. will provide more than 40,000 hours www.ashurst.com of legal assistance to people who cannot obtain Legal Aid and cannot afford legal advice or representation, and to not-for-profit organisations that support marginalised and disadvantaged people. www.claytonutz.com

16 Gilbert + Tobin believes pro bono work is an important part of the To improve access to justice, and to legal profession’s contribution to the make a contribution to the broader betterment of our community. We community, Seven Wentworth share a responsibility to ensure that partners with a number of firms our legal system is just and equitable, and organisations to provide pro and that everyone in our society has bono advice and advocacy services. access to legal representation and Seven Wentworth is proud to be advice. Law firms are in the privileged associated with the Justice Awards, position of having the resources to and the recognition they give to assist people who cannot afford legal the community legal sector and its services. We are committed to working hardworking volunteers. with all lawyers to build a successful www.sevenwentworth.com.au and sustainable pro bono culture throughout Australia that improves access to our legal system. www.gtlaw.com.au

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

17 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