, ,

Congratulations to Robyn Lui on her admission to the Supreme Court as a lawyer

IMG_4736On behalf of our CEO Shane Duffy, the Board of Directors and all the team at ATSILS, we send out a big congratulations to Robyn Lui who has become an officer of the court after her recent admission to the Supreme Court as a lawyer.

Alan Watkins a criminal law lawyer with the Cairns team said, “it was a personal honour to move Ms Lui for admission, Ms Lui understands the privilege of being an officer of the court and is looking forward to making a valuable contribution to the legal profession.”

Robyn was born and raised in Cairns and is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman. She is one of our experienced Court Support Officers and has been working in the Cairns regional office for many years. In her role with ATSILS she has enjoyed the opportunity to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients as part of the criminal law team servicing Cairns, Innisfail, Yarrabah and the Cape regions.

Robyn has a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Southern Queensland and her journey to becoming a lawyer included juggling the rigorous demands of raising a child as a single mum, whilst working full-time and studying part-time. She credits her achievement of being admitted to ALL the support she has received from her Son, Sister and Friends who were in the court room to witness this great occasion.

Speaking of her achievement, Robyn said it was important to her to continue to inspire and encourage current and future indigenous law students to complete their studies as well.

ATSILS Logo
, ,

2017 Lisa Watson Memorial Award – Congratulations Julie

Julie_LisaWatsonMemorialCongratulations to Julie Corpe on being awarded the “Lisa Watson Memorial Award” at our annual staff awards recently. Julie is our amazing Finance Officer & WHS Advisor at ATSILS HQ always willing to go the extra mile in supporting staff to ensure our clients receive the highest quality of service. Julie said “Lisa was such a beautiful soul and to receive this award it’s just such an honour.”

The Lisa Watson Memorial Award is presented each year to the staff member who, like Lisa herself, best exemplifies our organisation’s core values of care, share and respect.

Lisa was known for the level of commitment, integrity and passion that she brought to her various roles and was exceedingly well respected by all who had the privilege to know her. Lisa’s legacy shines on through our staff with her passion for social justice, her people and dedication to our important work continuing to inspire staff like Julie who is a most fitting recipient of this honour.

ATSILS Logo
, , , ,

2017 Ricky Webke Memorial Award – Congratulations Rayna Smith

Rayna_RickyWebkeAwardCongratulations to Rayna (pictured right) for taking out the 2017 Ricky Webcke Memorial Award at the ATSILS Annual Staff Awards.

This Award is presented each year to our Organisation’s most outstanding Court Support or Field Officer. It bears the name of a truly remarkable man, the late and great Ricky Webke (known to some as George Appleton-Smith) – who was coincidentally, the inaugural recipient of this award when such were introduced on an annual basis in 2006.

Like Ricky, Rayna is a dedicated Court Support Officer, has performed her role with distinction and is passionate about doing her bit to enhance the lives of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members who come in contact with the justice system.

Court Support Officers perform a vital role, they are the frontline of our culturally competent service delivery with strong connections to community. They are experienced in assisting clients navigate the justice system and enhance communication between our clients and legal practitioners.

ATSILS Logo
, , ,

Congratulations Tim Hishon – ATSTILS ‘2017 Regional Manager of the Year’

Tim Hishon - Sunshine Coast Regional ManagerDirector of Sector Engagement and Communications, Graham White presenting 2 plaques to Tim Hishon our Regional Manager on the Sunshine Coast. One recognises Tim’s dedicated long service to ATSILS over the past 15 years’ and the other was awarded to Tim to pay tribute to his excellence in team management and service delivery as the winner of the ATSILS ‘2017 Regional Manager of the Year’.

The Maroochydore Team nominated Tim for his respect towards clients and team members alike. Tim encourages all team members to actively participate and contribute to workplace culture. Tim is a flexible, responsive Manager who is genuine, humble and dedicated to the ATSILS core values of Care, Share and Respect.

ATSILS Logo
, , ,

Human Rights Awards – ATSILS CEO Shane Duffy named among the 5 inspiring finalists for the 2016 Tony Fitzgerald Memorial Community Individual Award

Shane Duffy Human Rights Awards

ATSILS CEO Shane Duffy is among the five inspiring Australians who have been named finalists for the 2016 Tony Fitzgerald Memorial Community Individual Award. It’s great to see his tireless commitment and leadership in advancing & protecting the human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people recognised.

Shane is a descendant of the Kalkadoon people of North West Queensland and has worked in human services for more than 25 years specialising in child protection, youth justice and family support. Shane has been CEO of the QLD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service for the past 11 years and is the current Co-Chair of the Change The Record Coalition looking to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the criminal justice system.

http://www.humanrights.gov.au/news/stories/inspiring-individuals-named-awards-finalists

ATSILS Logo
, , ,

OUR STAFF: A big congratulations to Tim and Trevor from our Maroochydore office

ATSILS MaroochydoreA big congratulations to Tim and Trevor from our Maroochydore office who were presented with certificates of appreciation for their hard work and dedication to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and Murri Court in the Caboolture region over a period of many years. The certificates were awarded by the Caboolture Justice Group, Buranga Widjung and Trevor was also presented with a Murri Court sash as seen in the picture.

Our great team at the Maroochydore Office deliver Family, Civil and Criminal law services in the Sunshine Coast and Caboolture area and work hard to ensure the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community have better access to quality legal services in the region.

 

ATSILS Logo
, ,

CONGRATULATIONS to C’Zarke Maza Winner of the 2015 Trevor Christian Award

C'Zarke MazaA Big CONGRATULATIONS to C’Zarke Maza winner of the 2015 Trevor Christian Award (male).

C’Zarke is the Regional Manager of our Thursday Island office and a fitting recipient of the NATSILS “Trevor Christian Award” presented to individuals who have made an exceptional commitment to the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

C’Zarke is a descendant of the Meriam people of Murray Island in the Torres Strait and Yidinjdji people from the coast of Cairns. He has committed most of his career towards championing the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and has displayed a relentless drive in advocating for justice and equality for Australia’s First people. A most committed legal practitioner, C’Zarke works tirelessly to address the over-representation of First Nations Australians in the criminal justices system through the provision of high quality legal representation.

In 2000 he was awarded the Bundjalung Prize for his invaluable contribution to the Bundjalung Nation.

Congratulation C’Zarke you are a highly respected and valued member of the community and we are fortunate to have you as part of the ATSILS team!