ATSILS Walking for Justice: QPILCH Legal Walk 2016 – Brisbane
, ,

ATSILS Walking for Justice: QPILCH Legal Walk 2016 – Brisbane

This morning staff from our Brisbane office were out in force taking part in the Queensland Legal Walk to fundraise for Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House and celebrate the legal profession’s commitment to ensuring all Queenslanders have access to the legal system when they most need it.

The Walk commenced at 7am in Brisbane and followed a 5km route along both sides of the Brisbane River and make its way back to the Queen Elizabeth II Court Complex. Walkers were treated to a complimentary breakfast. Elvira lead all the way and could not be caught by her rivals. Andrew and Graham lead the way to the breakfast. Both level 5 and level 6 represented, thanks to those that participated. What a deadly choice.

LegalWalk2016 ATSILS Brisbane
LegalWalk2016 ATSILS Brisbane

‬

ATSILS Bi-Annual Family/Civil Law Conference & Inagural Legal Advocacy Skills Development Workshop
, ,

ATSILS Bi-Annual Family/Civil Law Conference & Inagural Legal Advocacy Skills Development Workshop

Last week we gathered our 37 strong Family & Civil Law teams from across the state for a week of innovative skills development in Brisbane. The event was part of ATSILS ongoing commitment to workforce development and continuing access to quality mentoring and professional development opportunities.

The event was well received by staff and we were privileged to have such an interesting line up of highly qualified and interesting speakers. A key aspect of the program was the inaugural Legal Advocacy Skills Development workshop led by Craig Smith –(Faculty of Law at QUT). This workshop gave staff the opportunity to hone their advocacy skills under the expert guidance of a team of specialist Barristers. The focus was on a practical framework for developing robust case theory, building persuasive arguments, and presenting evidence in a way that can assist in improving outcomes for clients.

The collegiate spirit evident at the event created a fantastic environment for the team to share their local knowledge and experiences and ensure we continue to deliver quality legal services responsive to the needs of our diverse client group.

Thanks to all staff and presenters from the legal assistance sector and Government who helped make the event a success.

ATSILS Advocacy Workshop
ATSILS Advocacy Workshop
ATSILS Director of Criminal Law – Andrew Hackett appointed as one of the three new Magistrates in QLD
, ,

ATSILS Director of Criminal Law – Andrew Hackett appointed as one of the three new Magistrates in QLD

Andrew-HackettCongratulations to Andrew Hackett our Director of Criminal Law on his appointment as one of the three new magistrates in Queensland by Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath for Redcliffe.

Andrew is a highly respected lawyer and he possesses all the legal skill, knowledge and experience needed to excel in this vital role.

We wish him all the best for future and thank him for all the great contributions he’s made at ATSILS in delivering the highest quality legal services to our people.

We know he’ll be a welcome addition to the Magistrate Court in Queensland.

View Media Release:
http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2016/4/29/attorneygeneral-appoints-new-magistrates

QLS praises appointment of reputable magistrates for Queensland’s busiest court:
http://www.qls.com.au/About_QLS/News_media/News/QLS_praises_appointment_of_reputable_magistrates_for_Queensland%E2%80%99s_busiest_court

Community is Everything – ATSILS Principal Legal Officer talking to schools about issues & solutions re: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth detention
, ,

Community is Everything – ATSILS Principal Legal Officer talking to schools about issues & solutions re: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth detention

Greg Shadbolt - Principal Legal Officer ATSILSCommunity is Everything

Last week our Principal Legal Officer was out in the community shining a light on the issues related to the high detention rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and the solutions needed to create brighter futures for our kids.

Greg presented to senior school students from around a dozen schools – hosted at the Brisbane Boys College (Toowong) as part of Amnesty International Australia‘s “Community is Everything” campaign.

There were several hundred school children and teachers in attendance and it was a great opportunity to increase awareness of critical justice issues effecting kids futures to new audiences less likely to be exposed to such challenges.

More information on the campaign can be found here:
http://www.amnesty.org.au/activist/campaign-resource/37103

25th Anniversary of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody
, , , ,

25th Anniversary of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody

Shane_seaofhands

Today is the 25th Anniversary of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Report ‪#‎RCIADIC‬

This morning ATSILS CEO Shane Duffy and Dr Jackie Huggins Co-Chairs of Change the Record Coalition are at Parliament House in Canberra commemorating lives lost and working for change.

In the 25 years since the handing down of the RCIADIC report Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander incarceration rates have almost doubled. It time for change. Here’s what’s needed:
https://changetherecord.org.au/blueprint-for-change

CTR_RCIADIC_25Anniversary_1

 

Murri Court – official re-opening in Rockhampton
, ,

Murri Court – official re-opening in Rockhampton

This week staff from our team in Rockhampton attended the official re-opening of the Murri Court – the first re-opening to occur in the State.

The opening ceremony was attended by a number of important dignitaries, including the Attorney-General, the Chief Judge of the District Court, the Chief Magistrate and local Elders (just to name a few).

A number of speeches were made to commemorate the occasion and our dedicated team in Rocky were acknowledged by the Coordinating Magistrate (Mr Press) in his speech. He spoke about the hard work ATSILS does and made particular mention of Tammy House our Court Support Officer in the region. Magistrate Press indicated that he could not imagine how the Court would function without Tammy’s invaluable assistance, particularly helping our clients to properly understand their charges and give instructions.

Great to see this culturally responsive justice alternative re-established and well done to the team in Rocky.

Murri Court Re-launch, Rockhampton QLD- April 2016
Murri Court Re-launch, Rockhampton QLD- April 2016
Murri Court Re-launch, Rockhampton QLD- April 2016
Murri Court Re-launch, Rockhampton QLD- April 2016
Murri Court Re-launch, Rockhampton QLD- April 2016
Murri Court Re-launch, Rockhampton QLD- April 2016
Murri Court Re-launch, Rockhampton QLD- April 2016
Murri Court Re-launch, Rockhampton QLD- April 2016
Murri Court Re-launch, Rockhampton QLD- April 2016
Murri Court Re-launch, Rockhampton QLD- April 2016
Media Release: Legal Services to continue in the Torres Strait Region and Northern Peninsula Area
, ,

Media Release: Legal Services to continue in the Torres Strait Region and Northern Peninsula Area

Communities in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) will have continued access to
legal services thanks to a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Torres Strait
Regional Authority and Attorney-General’s Department.

 
Since 2011 the agencies have cooperated to fund the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal
Service (ATSILS) (QLD) Ltd, to deliver Indigenous legal services in the Torres Strait and NPA region.
The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Chairperson, Mr Joseph Elu, said the partnership is an
important step in ensuring quality legal assistance, advice and representation for Torres Strait
Islander and Aboriginal clients in the region.

 
“The renewed MOU between the TSRA and Attorney-General’s Department secures the funding for
Indigenous legal services in the Torres Strait and NPA until 2018,” Mr Elu said.

 
“The ATSILS receives funding each year from the TSRA to enable them to provide these services.”
The ATSILS works together with Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal communities, key government
and non-government stakeholders to manage the delivery of services in a professional, culturally
competent and community-sensitive manner, to influence policy change, and to deliver high quality
legal services for Indigenous people within or exposed to the justice system.

 
“ATSILS staff in the region provides vital services in criminal, civil and family law and plays an
important role in delivering education programs to enhance individuals’ understanding of the legal
system,” Mr Elu said.

 
“The TSRA looks forward to its continued partnership with the Attorney-General’s Department and
ATSILS in delivering quality legal services in our region.”

 
Community members in the Torres Strait and NPA can contact ATSILS by calling 07 4069 1091
(Thursday Island office) or 07 4069 3970 (Bamaga office).

View Media Release

 

Building capacity in our Family Law Practice
, ,

Building capacity in our Family Law Practice

ATSILS Family Law 2015Building capacity in our Family Law Practice to better meet identified need across the state.

We welcome Lorraine Blanco (Cairns) and Juliet Walker (Brisbane) to the ATSILS Family Law team.

We are thrilled to have Lorraine Blanco (nee Namok) on board as our first Torres Strait Islander woman lawyer. Lorraine will be heading north to our Cairns office after enjoying two weeks induction in Brisbane working closely with Jennifer Ekanayake and the Family Law team. In December she is looking to undertake a circuit up to Cooktown, Wudjal Wudjal and Hopevale which will be a celebration and a form of welcome to country for her. Lorraine is a Moa Island women and has had extensive experience practicing with Legal Aid and also enjoyed significant work in the area of native title.

Juliet Walker is our newest Paralegal (Junior Legal Practitioner) in Brisbane and we congratulate her on being admitted as a solicitor just this week. Juliet completed her Arts/Law degree at UQ and she joins Jennifer and the team in Brisbane after gaining valuable experience assisting at Caxton Legal Centre, QPILCH and Kilroy & Callaghan lawyers.

From all the team welcome aboard!

Photo (Left to Right): 
Jennifer, Juliet, Lorraine, Lisa and Colette.

 

ATSILS in North West Queensland this week
, ,

ATSILS in North West Queensland this week

ATSILS Executive TeamThis week Shane, Greg and Graham from our Executive Team are on the ground out in North West Queensland meeting with key stakeholders and government officials around the local challenges and justice issues facing various communities in this vast region.

Today the team met with Judy Ontronen – Manager of the Cloncurry Justice Association, an important organization that supports and empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims and offenders at all stages of the legal process. It was a productive meeting focusing on strengthening relationships around community safety and crime prevention initiatives.

The team said it was a great pleasure to meet Judy and her staff. Her enthusiasm and dedication were heart warming and she is the type of person who is the heart and soul of smaller country towns.

 

 

 

 

 

ATSILS CEO Mt IsaProud Kalkadoon man and ATSILS CEO Shane Duffy back on country meeting with the Mt Isa Mayor – The Hon. Cr Tony Mcgrady Am on solutions to critical crime and justice issues affecting the community.

 

Quick Thinking and First Aid Training Combine to Save a Young Lady’s Life: Well Done Darryl McCarthy
, ,

Quick Thinking and First Aid Training Combine to Save a Young Lady’s Life: Well Done Darryl McCarthy

Darry McCarthyCourt Support, CPR and quick thinking combine at the right place and the right time to save a life.

We would like to commend the efforts of Darryl McCarthy, our Court Support Officer out in Cunnamulla. Darryl recently had to go beyond the normal call of duty to intervene in a critical situation to save a life.

Darryl was in his office printing paper work for a client when she suddenly collapsed. “I called her in and just as I handed her the pen her eyes rolled back and she nearly fell through the window,” Darry said. “At first I thought she was joking but we fell to the ground together, by the time I got to my hands and knees she had stopped breathing. I checked her pulse but there was nothing.”

Darryl responded quickly putting his first-aid training into action, beginning CPR on the lady and directing her family to call an ambulance. He persisted with CPR until the ambulance arrived and her vital signs returned. She was transferred to a hospital in Brisbane but is now at home recovering well. The young lady and her family were of course very appreciative of Darryl’s efforts.

Darryl said the first aid training he had undertaken as part of his job requirements at ATSILS made all the difference and was the main reason the situation ended well. “It provided me with the skills and confidence to act.” Darryl was happy to speak about his actions in the hope that it would give others the confidence to put their training into action and be part of a rescue if ever needed. Although understandably shaken up about the whole incident, Darryl is just happy that this young client is ok.

From all the team at ATSILS, fantastic job Darryl!