The inaugural Burdekin Community Legal Services Expo in Ayr marked a significant step in connecting more North Queensland regional and remote communities with vital legal support. Hosted by the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre (BNC) and initiated by the North Queensland Regional Legal Assistance Forum (NQRLAF), the event brought together legal service providers from the Townsville region and local residents to raise awareness about the range of services available and to improve access to free legal services in surrounding towns. The strong turnout and collaboration highlighted the power of community-driven solutions in bridging the access to justice gap experienced by these communities.

Paige Ryan and Courtney Curnow from our Townsville team were proud to be among the many legal representatives present. In addition to ATSILS attendees from organizations like ADA Law, First Nations Women’s Legal Services Qld Inc, North Queensland Women’s Legal Service, Legal Aid Queensland, Townsville Community Law, and the Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service provided valuable information on a wide range of legal areas, including criminal, family, and civil law.

The event’s success was a testament to the strong support from the BNC staff and the dedicated stakeholders of NQRLAF, all of whom committed their time and energy to making it a positive and informative experience for the community.