QUT Indigenous Pre Law and Justice Program visit to ATSILS
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QUT Indigenous Pre Law and Justice Program visit to ATSILS

EQASA0yU0AEBze_It was great to have students from QUT’s Indigenous Pre Law and Justice Program visit our Brisbane office this week. These bright and deadly ones spent time with our team to learn more about the important role of ATSILS in the function of the justice system and our work in protecting and advancing the legal & human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The students were welcomed by our Director of Sector Engagement and Communications – Graham White, and members of our Legal, Court Support and Prevention, Intervention and Community Legal Education teams enjoyed sharing insight into the key roles they undertake in delivering legal services to the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Increased representation from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the legal sector is an important element in addressing the ongoing disadvantage our people experience in the justice system. AT ATSILS we are committed to fostering partnerships with progressive academic institutions like QUT (Queensland University of Technology) and welcome the opportunity to play our part in inspiring the next generation of legal practitioners along their career paths.

Photo Credit: (QUT Indigenous Pre Law and Justice Program)

National Reconciliation Week celebrations this week on Thursday Island
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National Reconciliation Week celebrations this week on Thursday Island

IMG20190527124359ATSILS took part in National Reconciliation Week celebrations this week on Thursday Island, attending the ’67 Referendum Day Community Gathering and Morning Tea with Elders at the Anglican Church Community Hall.

ATSILS participated in providing an information stall for the community along with other Thursday Island Social Justice Interagency Services.

Big esso to the coordinators of the event for inviting us to participate, the “Black Paradise” band for providing the tunes and most importantly the Elders who shared with us their fascinating stories of the events leading to the 1967 Referendum.

 

 

 

 

 

2018 – QUT Indigenous Pre Law and Justice Program Students visit ATSILS
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2018 – QUT Indigenous Pre Law and Justice Program Students visit ATSILS

QUT 2018 Indigenous Pre Law and Justice Program visit to ATSILS2018 Indigenous Pre Law and Justice Program visit to ATSILS

Last week students from QUT’s 2018 Indigenous Pre Law and Justice Program attended ATSILS Brisbane office to get first hand insight into the work we do advancing and protecting the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The students received a range of presentations covering on our innovative brand of legal service delivery, the critical role of our Court Support Officers in supporting the client/lawyer relationship and removing barriers affecting access to justice and also an overview of the work we do educating communities on their legal rights. The students were hosted by our Director of Communications and Sector Engagement – Graham, Early Intervention, Prevention and Community Legal Education Officer – Kate and Court Support Officer – Lesley. The students also had the opportunity to meet some of our legal practitioners and get insight into what it’s like working for a human rights based organisation like ATSILS.

Bianca Hill-Jarro – Indigenous Project Officer at QUT said “The visit to ATSILS has been welcomed addition to the program and offers something unique for the students. The students always really enjoy the visit and many are often interested in the career pathways offered by ATSILS.”

ATSILS is committed to inspiring the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lawyers and justice professionals and it was great to host these deadly young students looking to pursue careers in the justice sector.

ATSILS Board meet with community in Mackay
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ATSILS Board meet with community in Mackay

ATSILS is dedicated to strengthening key partnerships in regional Queensland and last Friday our Board of Directors hosted a community meeting with key service providers in Mackay.

It was a great turn out and the Board were delighted to meet with the good people representing these organisations and agencies delivering vital services across the justice and community sectors.

The meeting was not only a good opportunity to get a better understanding of the current challenges and justices issues facing the local community. It also provided a great environment to come together and reaffirm our commitment to working more effectively together across sectors to address the complex challenges faced by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community caught up in the child protection, youth justice and criminal justice systems.

Maroochydore Murri Court
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Maroochydore Murri Court

Murri Court Maroochydore launchThis week a new Murri Court was launched in Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi country at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on the Sunshine Coast. It was great to come together with local Elders, community and legal fraternity to celebrate the official opening of this vitally important justice alternative.

Murri Court is a critical element in creating a more culturally responsive justice system. It is designed to link Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander defendants to relative cultural and support services to help them make changes in their lives needed to break their cycle of offending.

Read More: 

 

 

 

Murri Court in the media:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-07/murri-court-look-inside-indigenous-queensland-court/8555416
https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/kev-rose-challenge-atsils/3186508/

 

What is Murri Court?

Find out more about Murri Court:
http://www.courts.qld.gov.au/courts/murri-court/about-murri-court

 

 

 

Sector Engagement – Bundaberg & Hervey Bay Region
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Sector Engagement – Bundaberg & Hervey Bay Region

Recently the Communications and Sector Engagement team met with a range of stakeholders across the justice, health, community and child protection sectors in the Wide Bay region. The team gained valuable insights into some of the significant justice issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities from a range of perspectives.

Engaging regularly with community and key partners on country in the regions is vital to ensuring our service delivery is aligned with varying community needs. It’s also used as an important reference when developing marketing and legal education resources as we work to produce materials that better address the nuanced issues faced by clients in our diverse communities.

Close The Gap Day – Toowoomba
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Close The Gap Day – Toowoomba

Close the Gap in ToowoombaChelsea, Josie and Kevin from our Toowoomba office were out in the local community for Close The Gap Day.

The team hosted a stall at the University of Southern Queensland campus and had a great day showing support for this important cause whilst raising awareness of our broad range of services.

The ever widening justice gap faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is intrinsically linked to poor health outcomes. Promoting access to quality legal assistance and legal education resources can work to address disadvantage in vulnerable communities and can help close the gap not only in justice, but in health as well.