Wednesday 31 October 2012 Strangers’ Dining Room Parliament …file/2012_JA_progr… · In Bed with Jocasta and The P-Plate Parent (co-written with Angela Webber). 3 LIAC Centre

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 evening6.30pm 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

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Your host this evening

The Hon. Paul Stein QC AMChair, 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 AddressFather 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 eveningRichard 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).

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LIAC Centre of Excellence Award

Presented by:

Ms Frances Sims Director

Public Library and Community Learning

Services State Library of NSW

Sponsored by:

Legal Information Access Centre (LIAC)

The winners are:Port Stephens LibraryFor 2012 Law Week, Port Stephens Library developed promotional materials and foyer displays to showcase Find Legal Answers resources. As part of the display, staff created a presentation on the resources which was screened continuously during Law Week. The library also designed and delivered a free two-hour hands-on workshop on Find Legal Answers tailored for members of the Port Stephens Third Age Learning Inc (U3A). The workshop was based around finding answers to everyday questions that this particular group may have about the law. The aim of the workshop was to increase awareness of the legal resources available in the community and as a result of very positive feedback from participants, another workshop has been planned. The Library has also reported increased use of the legal collection as a result of the workshop.

Tamworth City LibraryTamworth City Library’s 2012 Law Week program ‘Legal information for local youth’ developed as a result of a community meeting where levels of crime in the local area, especially levels of juvenile offences, were issues identified as a concern. In response to these issues, the Library screened the short film Burn, a major crime prevention project by Legal Aid NSW for young people about group offending. The film aims to prevent young people participating in serious group assaults and robberies. Legal Aid NSW facilitated a discussion session after the screening and talked about legal issues for young people in general. The event was well attended by young people in the area, and as a result, a relationship between the Library and disengaged youth was established. The Library also conducted other successful events as part of its Law Week program, including a presentation for local HSC Legal Studies students on accessing legal information and family law, presented by a solicitor from Legal Aid and the manager of the local Family Relationships Centre.

LIAC is a statewide service providing free community access to legal information. 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

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The nominees are:Central Coast Community Legal CentreCentral Coast Domestic Violence Legal Outreach ProjectCentral Coast Community Legal Centre ran Central Coast Domestic Violence Legal Outreach Project, a two-year project that aimed to provide women and children who are affected by or at risk of domestic violence with one-on-one legal advice, appropriate referrals and information on victims’ services, family law, tenancy and apprehended domestic violence orders. Through the project, community legal education sessions were conducted to raise awareness of the social impact and legal implications of domestic and family violence.

Hawkesbury Nepean Community Legal CentreDomestic Violence & RentingHawkesbury Nepean CLC developed Domestic Violence & Renting, a user-friendly booklet that sets out step-by-step the options available to victims of domestic violence who are renting and may want to leave the property or force the perpetrator to leave. The options available to victims are varied and complex, and the booklet is a tool that victims can use to effectively navigate through the residential tenancy legislation.

Kingsford Legal Centre (KLC)Education through Case StudiesKingsford Legal Centre’s Education through Case Studies project aimed to educate vulnerable, migrant women about their rights at work through a practical ‘workshop’ approach using case studies drawn from their experience. 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.

Redfern Legal CentreUnfair Dismissal Representation SchemeRedfern Legal Centre’s (RLC) Unfair Dismissal Representation Scheme is run in partnership with Clayton Utz. The Scheme provides free advice and representation to low income employees in unfair dismissal conciliation conferences. Clayton Utz solicitors, while working as secondees for RLC, provide legal assistance to clients with their cases including representation at conciliation conferences and advice on settlement agreements.

University of Newcastle Legal CentreLaw on the Beach — Taking the Law to Young PeopleUniversity of Newcastle Law School developed an innovative approach to providing free legal information and advice to young people by initiating Law on the Beach drop-in clinics. These drop-in clinics are an outreach activity run at a popular summer venue in order to directly engage young people.

Women’s Legal Services NSWSafe in Our PlaceWomen’s Legal Services Safe in Our Place is a 12-month community legal education project that provides culturally appropriate services to women from emerging culturally and linguistically diverse communities on family violence issues. Its focus is on the most disadvantaged areas of NSW and regions with recently arrived communities. The workshops are also an opportunity for participants to meet local domestic violence service providers.

Community Legal Centres NSW Award

Presented by:

Ms Anna Cody Chair

Community Legal Centres NSW

Sponsored by:

Community Legal Centres NSW

The Community Legal Centres NSW Award this year is presented for a project in a community legal centre that demonstrates outstanding commitment to improving access to justice in NSW, particularly for socially and economically disadvantaged people.

Community Legal Centres NSW provides secretariat support to NSW community legal centres working for the public interest, particularly for disadvantaged and marginalised people and communities.

www.clcnsw.org.au

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Law Society President’s Award

The nominees are:Mr Emmanuel Conditsis Conditsis & Associates LawyersEmmanuel (‘Manny’) has more than 27 years’ experience in criminal law and is recognised as one of the most experienced trial advocates in NSW. Manny is committed to community outreach and regularly provides pro bono legal services to community members. His practice is based in Gosford, where there are few solicitors who are part of the Law Society Pro Bono Scheme. Manny is heavily relied upon by the Scheme to assist clients in the area and is always willing to do so. He is a valued member of the Scheme and he has achieved excellent results for many clients. He also provides advice and guidance to the Law Society’s Pro Bono Solicitor on more complex criminal matters.

Mr Robert Kaufmann CrimLaw AustraliaRobert is the Principal Lawyer and founder of CrimLaw, a team of dedicated lawyers that offer services predominantly in criminal law and traffic offences. An accredited specialist in criminal law, Robert is a strong supporter of the Law Society Pro Bono Scheme and has made a significant contribution particularly over the past year. His contributions to the Scheme have included matters in domestic violence, criminal law and animal law, and he often accepts matters on short notice.

Ms Greta King King LegalGreta is the founder and Principal of King Legal and has expertise in a wide range of practice areas, although her focus is predominantly on family and commercial law matters. Greta readily assists with matters for the Law Society Pro Bono Scheme, and has demonstrated great patience and understanding, particularly when dealing with clients who are victims of domestic violence or in complex family law matters.

Mr Mark Smith Brander Smith McKnightMark has been Principal of Brander Smith McKnight since 2006 and he has a broad range of legal experience. The firm’s services are focussed in the Sutherland Shire, St George and Wollongong areas, and while only recently registered under the Law Society Pro Bono Scheme, the firm has accepted some challenging referrals in the areas of family and criminal law.

The Law Society President’s Award is presented to an individual solicitor for pro bono work through the Law Society Pro Bono Scheme. The Scheme aims to increase access to justice by accepting applications from disadvantaged people and referring them to solicitors prepared to act on a pro bono basis.

The Law Society of NSW is the professional association for the solicitors’ branch of the legal profession, representing more than 23,000 lawyers 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

Presented by:

Mr Justin Dowd President

The Law Society of New South Wales

Sponsored by:

The Law Society of New South Wales

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Law and Justice Volunteer Award

The nominees are:

The Law and Justice Volunteer Award is presented to an individual or a group of individuals, who, in a voluntary capacity, have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to improving access to justice, particularly for socially and economically disadvantaged people. This may have occurred in a range of activities over an extended period, or in a single significant activity. Nominees must not be current legal practitioners.

The New South Wales Bar Association is a voluntary association of practicing barristers. Its aims include promoting the administration of justice, and making recommendations with respect to legislation, law reform, rules of court, and court business and procedure. It has a strong commitment to pro bono, both through its Legal Assistance Referral Scheme, and the pro bono work carried out informally by members of the Bar.

www.nswbar.asn.au

Ms Penny BroekhuizenNominated by Ms Phoenix Van Dyke, Inner Sydney Tenants’ Advice & Advocacy Service Penny has committed a full day, every week for the past three years, at the Inner Sydney Tenants’ Advice and Advocacy Service, where her outstanding skills and knowledge have been invaluable in achieving excellent results for clients, particularly women experiencing domestic violence. She regularly works beyond her weekly commitment to assist clients to be rehoused or attend tribunal hearings. Penny is a fierce advocate and takes a holistic and proactive approach to helping disadvantaged clients with their housing issues, including providing them with referrals to other agencies to assist them to deal with the range of complex problems they often experience.

Criminal Justice Support Network VolunteersNominated by Ms Alex Faraguna, Intellectual Disability Rights ServiceThe Criminal Justice Support Network (CJSN) volunteers provide invaluable support to people with intellectual disability who come in contact with the criminal justice system. CJSN has been steadily building its volunteer team and extending its outreach services further in regional NSW. Last year, the 124 CJSN volunteers provided over 1000 supports across Sydney, Illawarra/Shoalhaven, Hunter, Central Coast and Mid North Coast. The volunteers provide a range of support services at court, police stations, legal appointments, adult and juvenile conferencing and mediation, with their key aim being to ensure the rights of the individual are upheld.

Ms Elizabeth GilmoreNominated by Ms Cathy Saunders, Community Restorative CentreSince her retirement 11 years ago, Elizabeth has been improving the ability of individuals to access and deal with the processes of the courts as a volunteer with the Community Restorative Centre’s Court Support Scheme. Volunteering at least once a week at Penrith Court (where she used to work), Elizabeth supports around 250 people every month who are affected by the criminal justice system by providing information on court procedures, referrals to community and government agencies, and she also offers general assistance to Legal Aid solicitors. Elizabeth is known for her warm, caring personality and her ability to set people at ease in the court environment. Her detailed knowledge and experience of the court and legal system is recognised as an asset by all and she is highly valued as a volunteer by the Centre.

Dr Jann KarpNominated by Dr Xanthe Mallett, University of New EnglandJann has been a volunteer advocate and support person for over 20 years, particularly for people with drug-related and mental health problems who come into contact with the criminal justice system. As a former police officer, Jann saw first-hand the difficulties disadvantaged people faced in dealing with their legal issues and her particular focus has been on assisting those who have been ‘knocked-back time and time again’ or inappropriately dealt with by the criminal and health systems. Jann provides court support and referrals, assists people with legal documents and helps them to understand their rights. Whatever their individual needs or their crime, Jann finds a way to help people, with a belief that everyone deserves to be treated as a human being.

Presented by:

Mr Garry McGrath SC Bar Council Member

The New South Wales Bar Association

Sponsored by:

The New South Wales Bar Association

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Ms Shoshana Robuck, Ms Remona Zheng and Ms Stephanie Zughbi—Juvenile Justice Mentoring Scheme Nominated by Ms Niamh Mooney, Sydney University Law SocietyShoshana, Remona and Stephanie have been nominated for their outstanding voluntary work, over a short period of time, in establishing and coordinating a Juvenile Justice Mentoring Scheme at Juniperina Correctional Centre for young women. Beginning in 2011, the three law students devised an innovative program to engage fellow students to participate as mentors and provide the young inmates with information, support and diverse programs to be involved in. To ensure the Scheme would succeed in the long term, the students worked with 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 NicolNominated by Detective Sergeant Lindsay McGillicuddy, Hurstville Local Area Command, NSW PoliceFor 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.

Ms Manorma SmithNominated by Mr Keith Collins, NSW Justices AssociationManorma has been nominated for her commitment to the Canterbury Branch of the NSW Justice of the Peace, of which she is currently the President. Manorma successfully established and coordinated JP kiosks at Campsie and Lakemba libraries. Each kiosk operates weekly and services an estimated 100 people per week. The kiosks provide a valuable service for local residents, particularly those on Centrelink benefits and living in social housing, who regularly have forms and paperwork that require the services of a JP. The kiosks also assist many people from non-English speaking backgrounds who need help reading and understanding documentation. As a result of the JP kiosks, the libraries have noted an increase in library users and visitors.

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Pro Bono Partnership Award

The nominees are:

Amnesty International Australia with DLA PiperAmnesty International Australia is a national organisation which aims to raise local, national and global awareness of human rights issues. In NSW, Amnesty coordinates and supports hundreds of volunteers to act on human rights issues through locally based chapters and runs programs to assist refugees and asylum seekers, domestic violence victims and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. DLA Piper has provided pro bono support to Amnesty for more than five years, and during that time the firm has assisted with case work, provided advice to support the implementation of human rights awareness campaigns and contributed to Amnesty’s work with local refugee groups and Indigenous organisations.

Arts Law Centre with Australian Government Solicitor Since 2009, Australian Government Solicitor (AGS) has provided experienced lawyers with a range of expertise on secondment to the Arts Law Centre, a national community legal centre for the arts. This has provided Arts Law with an additional staff member to assist with their telephone advice and document review service. The highly-used service receives around 95 requests for assistance per month, half of which are estimated to be from NSW-based artists and art organisations. As a specialist in Commonwealth legislation, AGS has assisted Arts Law with the major task of updating their public information following introduction of the Personal Properties and Securities Act 2009 earlier this year, and provided specialist advice to Indigenous artists who are part of Arts Law’s Artists in the Black program.

Cancer Council Legal Referral Service with partners Established in March 2010, the Cancer Council Legal Referral Service (CCLRS) grew its pro bono partnership from a six-month pilot project with four law firms to a network of 144 partners across metropolitan and regional NSW. Through its network of pro bono partners, the CCLRS has assisted 1000 clients per year with a range of legal issues relating to wills and estates, employment, superannuation, and financial hardship matters. The service is unique in that it is integrated with health, counselling and casework services, and legal assistance is given by lawyers in offices, homes, hospitals, palliative care facilities and other venues as required by patients. The co-location of services has increased access to justice for chronically ill clients who are unable to afford or access legal advice.

South Coast, Far West, Central West, Mid North Coast Cooperative Legal Service Delivery program with Ashurst For a number of years, the pro bono assistance of Ashurst has enabled the Cooperative Legal Service Delivery (CLSD) regional coordinators to respond to their local community needs and provide disadvantaged and remote communities, many of whom are Aboriginal, with free legal advice and services. As well as providing pro bono case work and support for solicitors in regional community legal centres, Ashurst has supported the targeted initiatives of CLSD, including travelling to small, isolated communities to deliver free legal information and services on wills, power of attorney and guardianship.

This Award is presented to private law firms, community organisations and/or community legal centres in NSW that have developed an outstanding pro bono legal assistance relationship resulting in improved access to justice for disadvantaged people in the community.

The National Pro Bono Resource Centre is an independent, non-profit organisation committed to supporting and promoting pro bono legal services in Australia. As advocate, broker, coordinator, researcher and resource provider, the Centre plays a unique leadership and coordination role.

www.nationalprobono.org.au

Presented by:

Mr John Corker Director

National Pro Bono Resource Centre

Sponsored by:

The National Pro Bono Resource Centre

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Kingsford Legal Centre with FreehillsFor 20 years, Freehills has provided Kingsford Legal Centre with a full-time secondee solicitor on six-monthly rotations, high-level advocacy at a corporate level and administrative support. The secondee program has become a vital part of the Centre’s service in many ways as it essentially provides KLC with an additional full-time staff member. This enables KLC to offer more services—for example, it enables KLC to conduct outreach clinics for disadvantaged clients who are not able to come into the Centre to access services. The secondee solicitor also participates in all areas of KLC’s services including advice and case work, community legal education, law reform and policy work, and they are able to provide expertise in specific areas of law. An additional benefit of the program is that the secondee is able to mentor law students at the Centre and demonstrate the value of pro bono work to these future solicitors.

Offshore Asylum Seeker Project with partnersFollowing the landmark decision by the High Court in M61/2010E v Commonwealth of Australia in November 2010, Balmain for Refugees and other community agencies experienced increased demand from asylum seekers for help with applications to the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia to review adverse decisions of the Refugee Review Tribunal. In response to this need, Balmain for Refugees, Law Society of NSW, Legal Aid NSW, NSW Bar Association, PILCH and the Refugee Advice and Casework Service established the Offshore Asylum Seeker Project in 2011. Through the project, a pro bono partnership was established with 124 barristers and private practice law firms in NSW, and a process implemented where each case is assessed individually on its merits for judicial review. This collaboration between the community legal sector, non-legal community organisations and private practice ensures that legal assistance is provided to one of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged client groups in Australian society.

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Aboriginal Justice Award

The nominees are:

The Aboriginal Justice Award is presented to an Aboriginal individual or group of individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to improving access to justice for Aboriginal people in NSW. This may have occurred in a range of activities over a long period, or in a single significant activity.

The Foundation acknowledges the support of the Department of Attorney General and Justice NSW.

www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au

Mr Ian BloomfieldNominated by Mr Anthony Paulson, Tirkandi Inaburra Cultural Development Centre Ian is a Wiradjuri man from the Murrumbidgee River Clan and the Community Care Coordinator at Tirkandi Inaburra Cultural Development Centre, a specialist school for Aboriginal boys aged 12 to 15 years. Ian works in a preventative capacity and aims to engage at-risk youth, to give these boys an opportunity to learn about their culture and steer them away from the juvenile justice system. Through his work, Ian has been a key link in successfully engaging families and connecting them with the services they require. Over the past two years, Ian has met with over 150 families in regional and remote areas in NSW, regularly driving long distances throughout the week and on weekends, to meet people face-to-face to discuss their needs and how Tirkandi can help.

Mr Keith CochraneNominated by Mr Greg Piper, MP, Member for Lake MacquarieKeith is a Biripi man who works as an Aboriginal Client Service Specialist at the Department of Attorney General and Justice in Toronto. Keith has helped many Aboriginal people in the local community with their legal problems, particularly those who have issues with overdue fines. He is known as someone who is approachable, available and effective in his role, and who doesn’t just ‘do his job’. Keith has recently extended his duties to establish the Toronto Drug Court program and associated with that, the Burning Wood program, which aims to encourage rehabilitating Aboriginal clients to ‘stick with it’ and achieve positive outcomes through 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.

Mr Timothy ‘John’ FernandoNominated by Mr Jeff Woodgate, Corrective Services NSWFor over 15 years, John has been the ‘go-to man’ on matters involving Aboriginal offenders in the Riverina region, in his role as an Aboriginal Client Service Officer for Corrective Services NSW in Wagga Wagga. Originally a Kamilaroi man from Walgett, John has developed in-depth knowledge of the kinship protocols of both Kamilaroi and Wiradjuri people. His sensitivity in dealing with issues arising from the gap between the systems — law, police, courts, probation and parole, and traditional Aboriginal culture — has earned him the respect of Aboriginal communities across a large area of NSW. He is known as a quiet achiever who goes out of his way to prevent simple matters turning into complex legal problems, and who does his best to help people avoid ending up in jail unnecessarily.

Mr Colin GaleNominated by Mr Dominic Wykanak, Waverley CouncilColin is a Darug elder who is committed to raising awareness about the Darug people and their origins in the Sydney area, and has pursued this through his former roles as Chairman of Darug Link and Darug Tribal Aboriginal Corporation. Colin has also pursued native title claims for the Darug people, and helped influence the development of the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983. He has represented Aboriginal organisations across the Sydney region and has worked closely with the NSW Government, local governments, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Australian Olympic Committee, and the Native Title Tribunal.

Presented by:

The Hon. Greg Smith SC MP Attorney General and

Minister for Justice

Sponsored by:

Department of Attorney General and Justice NSW

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Mr Linden McGradyNominated by The Hon. Kevin Humphries, Member for BarwonAfter many years working at Moree Courthouse and in the Murri community, Linden, a Kamilaroi man, took up a role at the newly established Clontarf Foundation at Moree Secondary College, with the aims of assisting students to complete school and secure employment, and encouraging behavioural change and positive attitudes. As a man committed to the Murri community, Linden uses his vast experience and his first-hand knowledge of the local Indigenous community and at-risk youth to steer vulnerable young people away from the juvenile justice system. He supports and mentors Aboriginal youth through a range of sporting programs to try and raise retention rates, and assist them to participate more meaningfully in society.

Mr Paul MumblerNominated by Ms Kelly Humphrey, Catholic Schools OfficePaul is a Wiradjuri man who works as the Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer (ACLO) with Wagga Wagga Local Area Command. Paul is recognised for his fortitude in working between the police and Aboriginal communities, and his commitment to implementing preventative measures to avoid recidivism. This has led Paul to develop and enlist support for a range of initiatives to engage young offenders and at-risk children, and to educate the community about domestic violence. For one particular project, ‘Dance Away Violence’, Paul selected a group of children to form the steering committee and he provided them with resources, advice and supervision to empower them to ‘make it happen’. The children developed self-esteem by being trusted with the responsibility of putting together the show, and the project received an overwhelmingly positive response from the community.

Ms Melissa ‘Mary’ O’NeillNominated by Ms Kelly Humphrey, Catholic Schools Office Mary is a Kamilaroi woman who is passionate about young people and about empowering them to change their circumstances. Mary manages a post-release program for Anglicare where she helps offenders and at-risk youth who do not have the support structure of some of their peers, to stay out of the juvenile justice system. Mary has initiated a range of community programs, including a domestic violence education program in the local high school, and she co-founded a mentoring program for at-risk youth. Mary also works closely with Wagga RLFC to facilitate the young people’s participation in sport — she not only makes sure they attend sessions she also ensures they have the basic necessities such as food to keep them going. On a personal level, Mary has taken co-guardianship of at-risk children to provide them with the support they need to stay at school.

Ms Doreen PetersNominated by Mr Jason Lonesborough, Department of Attorney General and Justice NSWDoreen has been a dedicated and long-time advocate of working for a better future for Aboriginal people through reduced incarceration rates. Prior to her retirement last year, Doreen worked for NSW Police for 37 years, where she spent more than a decade as the interface between how the Aboriginal community and NSW Police engage. Doreen was instrumental in developing the current training program for NSW Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers and as Manager of the Aboriginal Programs and Strategy, she led the response of NSW Police across a range of activities. She is known as a proud Gamilaroi woman who is not afraid to fight for what she believes in and someone who has led the way in implementing a policing response which is appropriate, fair and respectful of Aboriginal people.

Ms Genelle PurcellNominated by Ms Joanne Llewellyn, Maclean Local CourtGenelle is a Yaegel woman who is currently the Aboriginal Community Justice Group Coordinator at Maclean Court. Genelle is the driving force behind a range of projects in the Yamba and Maclean Aboriginal communities that aim to deal with issues such as unlicensed driving, adult literacy and domestic violence. She takes a hands-on approach to working with the community and is known as a ‘doer’ — when she commits to something people know and trust that she’ll get it done. In addition to this role, Genelle runs sporting activities and a breakfast kitchen for children, and has successfully raised money to fund a literacy program with a view to helping Aboriginal children to stay in school and out of the juvenile justice system.

Ms Cathy RyanNominated by Ms Krista Christensen, Corrective Services NSWCathy has been nominated for her work in Corrective Services NSW over the past 15 years, where she has worked intensively with Aboriginal inmates to ensure they are able to access the programs required for their rehabilitation or parole. She has also strongly advocated for inmates to be in the jail closest to their families by being involved in the classification process. Despite working in an environment that is highly unpredictable and tense, and where it is difficult to please everyone, Cathy fosters positive relationships between inmates and officers by exemplifying professionalism at all times. Her relationship-building skills have extended beyond departmental staff and into the community, where she has established networks with community agencies, elders and family members, to promote cultural identity and growth, and to improve morale and community contact for Koori inmates.

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Justice Medal

The nominees are:Ms Theodora AhilasNominated by Ms Anna Walsh, Maurice Blackburn LawyersTheodora has been nominated for her 21-year commitment to improving access to justice for victims of asbestos, many of whom are blue collar workers such as tradespeople, who have worked in the building and construction industries and been exposed to toxic dust. Known for her patience, professionalism and compassion, Theodora has developed a specialist practice in this area of law and through her work, she aims to bridge the relationship between legal and medical practitioners, in order to achieve results for clients who often have limited time to live. In addition to working many hours above and beyond the call of duty, Theodora carries the heavy toll of dealing with families who have been devastated by disease, injury and death. Theodora has further assisted victims and their families by helping them to establish support groups, as well as actively campaigning for legislative change to ensure victims’ rights are maintained.

Ms Louise BlazejowskaNominated by Mr Bill Grant, Legal Aid NSWSince her admission as a solicitor in 1984, Louise has been instrumental in contributing to policy development and law reform in NSW, through her work in various government agencies. She is known as a highly skilled policy and program strategist, who has demonstrated a capacity to envisage and implement multifaceted, joint-agency approaches to addressing complex disadvantage. Louise’s achievements include her work on the Young Offenders Act 1997, and her roles in establishing the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program, the Domestic Violence Practitioner Scheme and the successful Streetwise publications that circulated for more than a decade. Louise has worked passionately and diligently to improve access to justice for Aboriginal people,

people in regional and remote NSW, and people with low housing security and at risk of homelessness.

Ms Robyn Cottrell-JonesNominated by Ms Jennifer Nixon, University of New South WalesFollowing her own experience of violent assault, Robyn became a volunteer at the Victims of Crime Assistance League (VOCAL), with a view to fixing the gaps in the legal system which she had experienced first-hand. Over time, she developed a holistic, inclusive program which culminated in the opening of the Victim Support Centre in Newcastle. Robyn is recognised for her 18 years at VOCAL where she has led a needs-based, cutting edge, positive victim-support program, and personally acted as a life-coach and mentor to many clients who were vulnerable and disadvantaged, while aiming to address systemic issues affecting victims of crimes and the broader community.

Mr Mark Dennis Nominated by Mr Stephen Lawrence, Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACTMark began his legal career as a solicitor for the Western Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) where he worked for over a decade before being admitted as a barrister. Mark has worked tirelessly to advance the legal interest of disadvantaged people, particularly Aboriginal people, through the development of case law in NSW. Mark’s work on the exercise of police powers is of particular significance as it has been of outstanding assistance to lawyers defending disadvantaged people, and his contribution in the area is well recognised. In addition to his outstanding work as a criminal lawyer for over 20 years, Mark has dedicated his personal time to providing pro bono assistance and support to the ALS, and educating and resourcing the profession in relevant areas of the law. He maintains free web resources for criminal lawyers, runs not-for-profit community legal education training and is a volunteer on the Board of the Immigration Advice and Rights Centre.

The Justice Medal is presented to an individual for outstanding achievement in improving access to justice in NSW, particularly for socially and economically disadvantaged people. This may have been demonstrated in a range of activities over an extended period or work over a shorter period but of exceptional impact.

www.lawfoundation.net.au

Law and Justice Foundation OF NEW

SOUTH WALES

Presented by:The Hon. Paul Stein QC AM

Chair, Board of Governors, Law and Justice

Foundation of NSW

Sponsored by:

Law and Justice Foundation of NSW

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Ms Julia HaraksinNominated by Ms Anne Mangan, Department of Attorney General and Justice NSWJulia is the Manager of Diversity Services at the NSW Department of Attorney General and Justice, and she has been nominated for her exceptional work in this role. Julia is recognised as having driven cultural and behavioural change across the Department, and she has been instrumental in a vast range of community initiatives focussing not only on those with disabilities, but diverse communities including newly arrived communities. As an individual, Julia has had a significant impact on the way the Department interacts with the community— she proposed the creation of the Disability Advisory Council and played a key role in the development and implementation of their Disability Strategic Plans. She has been the driving force behind initiatives which have had resounding uptake at a community level, such as the Capacity Toolkit and the Law and You DVD, which has been translated into seven African languages. In addition to her paid work, Julia has been a long-standing public advocate of the rights of people with disability and a member of People with Disability Australia.

Ms Martha JabourNominated by Ms Cherie Burton, MP, Member for KogarahOver the past 18 years, Martha has supported victims of crime through the Homicide Victims Support Group (HVSG). Originally one of the volunteers who founded the group, Martha went on to become the driving force behind the organisation, which has grown in membership to 3000 families, many of whom are socially and economically disadvantaged. As well as agitating for legislative change, Martha personally provides care, support and advocacy for the families, and she ensures that their causes and concerns are taken to the highest possible levels. Martha was 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.

Mr Peter Kelso Nominated by Ms Gail Haines, Kelso’s Law FirmPeter founded his legal practice in Newcastle in 1986 and following the establishment of the Victims Compensation Tribunal in 1988, he began to specialise in this area of law. Over the past 25 years, Peter has assisted socially and economically disadvantaged people, particularly women and children who have been the victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, to access justice and legal services. Peter’s work on the case of Hua ‘Betty’ Tippins is one example of his extraordinary commitment above and beyond the call of duty to champion the rights of a domestic violence victim. Peter has spent countless hours attending refuges and community organisations across the Hunter and Sydney regions to advise women of their potential entitlements, and he assists at-risk youth through his local church and through his role on an audit panel reviewing compensation for wards of the state.

Ms Elizabeth Morley Nominated by Ms Helen Campbell, Women’s Legal Services NSWElizabeth has dedicated the last 30 years to helping disadvantaged people through community legal centres. For the past ten years, Elizabeth has worked as Principal Solicitor at Redfern Legal Centre, where she has provided frontline assistance to disadvantaged people on a daily basis, and engaged local Indigenous and CALD communities with the legal system through outreach. She is known as someone who does not shy away from challenging clients and she puts in whatever time is needed to help them navigate the most complicated matters to find a solution. Where others would give up, Elizabeth is known to display never-ending patience and energy, to achieve excellent results for the disadvantaged people who come to her for help.

Mr Michael Vassili Nominated by Mr Kieran Ridley, Toongabbie Legal Centre As well as operating a commercial law firm, Michael Vassili undertakes a range of pro bono legal work for people who are socially or economically disadvantaged. Michael has been nominated for his work over the past seven years for a number of community organisations including Link-Up NSW, the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Toongabbie Legal Centre and Anaphylaxis Australia. He also established the Homelessness Taskforce in Blacktown to tackle the plight of homeless people in the area. He is known for his commitment to social justice and his work above and beyond the call of duty to help those less privileged with their legal problems.

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Mr Todd Adams Shoalhaven Hospital

Mr Brad Addison Riverina Anglicare

Mr Ray Araullo Royal North Shore Hospital

Mr Lloyd Atkinson Tirkandi Inaburra Cultural Development Centre

Ms Robyn Ayres Arts Law Centre

Ms Barbara Baker Dust Diseases Tribunal NSW

Dr Eileen Baldry University of NSW

Ms Jenny Bargen University of Sydney

Ms Michelle Baumgartner Elandra Women & Children’s Services

Mr Jason Behrendt Chalk & Fitzgerald

Mr Simon Benson 16 Wardell Chambers

Mr John Berg Australian Government Solicitor

Mr Ricky BingeMs Kaye Blackman Amnesty International Australia

Mr Stephen Blanks NSW Council of Civil Liberties

Mr Paul Borls Campsie Library

Ms Natalie Bradshaw Redfern Legal Centre

Ms Beverly Bryant Bega Valley Oncology-Haematology Service

The Hon. Linda Burney, MP Member for Canterbury

Ms Patricia Ceminara Tirkandi Inaburra Cultural Development Centre

Mr Andrew Chalk Chalk & Fitzgerald

Ms Diana Change Clifford Chance

Ms Alexandra Chappell Sydney University Law Society

Mr Terry Chenery Hunter Aboriginal Children’s Services

Ms Stephanie Chia Dust Diseases Tribunal NSW

Mr Richard Christie Christie Law

Major Dean Clarke Salvation Army

Mr Jay Clowes Fishburn Watson O’Brien

Aunty Marilyn CochraneMs Anna Cody Kingsford Legal Centre

Mr Graeme Corbett Toronto Court

Mr John Corker National Pro Bono Resource Cente

Mr Daniel Creasy DLA Piper

Ms Mariette Curcuruto Far West Community Legal Service

Ms Mary Cusumano Homicide Victims Support Group

Ms Lisa D’Ambra Immigration Advice and Rights Centre

Ms Geraldine Daley Colin Daley Quinn

Ms Lynne Dalton Volunteering NSW

Mr Brian Dennison Department of Attorney General and Justice NSW

Ms Mieke Dixon Australian Government Solicitor

Mrs Ann Doughan Hawkesbury Cancer Support Group

Mr Justin Dowd Law Society of NSW

Mr Adam Drummond Ignite Mentor Program

Mr Wally El-Guindy Corrective Services NSW

Ms Delwyn Everard Arts Law Centre

Mr Andrew Ferguson Hurstville Local Area Command, NSW Police Force

Ms Holly Fingland Amnesty International Australia

Ms Shani Galleghan Link-Up NSW

Ms Margaret GarrawayMs Frances Gibson University of New South Wales

Ms Sally Gillam Department of Education and Communities NSW

Mr Laurie Glanfield AM Department of Attorney General and Justice NSW

Ms Denise Heydon Corrective Services NSW

Ms Kim Hobbs Westmead Hospital

Acknowledgements

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Justice Medal cont.

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Ms Benita Howell HWL Ebsworth Lawyers

Ms Michelle Jessop Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT

Ms Margaret Jones Redfern Legal Centre

Ms Michelle Jones Women’s Domestic Violence Case Assistance Program

Ms Brenda Kerry Wagga Wagga City Council

Mr Steve Kinmond NSW Ombudsman

Lt. Col. Peter Laws Salvation Army

Mr John Laycock Homicide Victims Support Group

Ms Anna McCann Baker McKenzie

Mr Alastair McEwin Community Legal Centres NSW

Det. Sgt. Lindsay McGillicuddy Hurstville Local Area Command, NSW Police

Mr Garry McGrath SC NSW Bar Association

Mr Phillip McIntosh Commins Hendricks Solicitors

Mr John McKenzie Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT

Mr Daniel McNamee Clontarf Foundation

Mr Bob MartinMs Michelle Maynard Perpetual Ltd

Ms Sarah Neal Lake Macquarie City Council

Mr Eddy Neumann Eddy Neumann Lawyers

Ms Justine O’Sullivan University of Western Sydney

Mr Tim Owen AM, MP Member for Newcastle

Ms Julie Perkins Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT

Ms Clare Petre Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW

Mr Glen Plowright Juniperina Juvenile Justice Centre

Ms Tabitha PonnambalamMr Dennis Purcell Wagga Brothers RLFC

Ms Jo Renkin Lander & Rogers Lawyers

Mr David Roberts NSW Police

Ms Wendy Robertson Community Restorative Centre

Ms Christine Robinson Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre

Mr Michael Rosenfeld Sparke Helmore

The Hon. Kevin Rozzoli AMMs Laurel Russ NSW Ombudsman

Ms Jane Sanders The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre

Mr Adam Schreiber Corrective Services NSW

Mr Peter Shiels Penrith Court

Mr Jim Simpson NSW Council for Intellectual Disability

Mr Rod Smith Wagga Wagga Local Area Command

Ms Susan Smith Sydney Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service

Ms Wendy Strathdee Jack Shand Chambers

Ms Linda Steele University of Sydney

The Hon. Paul Stein QC AMMs Jeanette SuttieMs Jacqui Swinburne Redfern Legal Centre

Dr Graeme SwincerMs Andria Sylvester North Coast Cancer Institute

Ms Jennifer Tetsall DLA Piper

Mr Brendan Thomas Department of Attorney General and Justice NSW

Ms Michelle Underwood Juniperina Juvenile Justice Centre

Mr Hewitt Whyman Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT

Mr Adam Whyte NSW Police Commissioner’s Office

Ms Mandy Young Department of Attorney General and Justice NSW

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In March 2012, Ashurst and Blake Dawson combined forces to form one global team under the Ashurst brand.

At Ashurst we accept and take seriously our responsibility to make legal services available to all. As a law firm, the most useful contribution we can make to the community is to use our knowledge and expertise to assist people and organisations which could not otherwise access legal services.

Through our extensive pro bono program we act for individuals and not-for-profit organisations in a wide range of matters. Our work includes providing legal opinions and advice, drafting and negotiation, litigation, law and policy reform and community legal education. We send our lawyers and other staff on secondment to work with community legal and welfare organisations from the inner-cities to remote northern Australia. We also use the wider resources of the firm to support community legal and welfare organisations.

www.ashurst.com

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

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Chalk & Fitzgerald is a specialist practice focused on serving Indigenous clients, especially in relation to their lands and water. Over the years we have established a national reputation, acting in many landmark cases and assisting in the development of key legislation, including the Native Title Act 1993 and the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW). Based in Sydney, we act for communities from La Perouse to the Kimberley. The firm also has a substantial pro bono practice, especially on behalf of clients facing powerful and well-resourced opponents.

www.chalkfitzgerald.com.au

The focus of Freehills Foundation is to increase access to justice and opportunity, prioritising reconciliation, homelessness, disability and health and global communities in need. The program includes transactional and litigious matters for not-for-profits and individuals; pro bono solicitor secondments to community legal centres; and providing community legal education and mentoring to lawyers in the public interest sector. Since 1993, the firm has operated Sydney’s inner-city Shopfront Youth Legal Centre with Mission Australia and the Salvation Army, offering legal services to homeless people aged 25 and under. In 1992, Freehills established its first pro bono solicitor secondment in NSW to Kingsford Legal Centre. It continues to this day.

www.herbertsmithfreehills.comPro 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 Legal Aid and cannot afford legal advice or representation, and to not-for-profit organisations that support marginalised and disadvantaged people.www.claytonutz.com

Acknowledgements

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Gilbert + Tobin believes pro bono work is an important part of the legal profession’s contribution to the betterment of our community. We share a responsibility to ensure that our legal system is just and 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

To improve access to justice, and to make a contribution to the broader community, Seven Wentworth partners with a number of firms and organisations to provide pro bono advice and advocacy services. Seven Wentworth is proud to be associated with the Justice Awards, and the recognition they give to the community legal sector and its hardworking volunteers.www.sevenwentworth.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

Law and Justice Foundation of New South WalesLevel 14, 130 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Phone: +61 2 8227 3200 Fax: +61 2 9221 6280

Email: [email protected]

www.lawfoundation.net.au