National Sorry Day – Still Bringing them Home
,

National Sorry Day – Still Bringing them Home

Today is #SorryDay a day to reflect and honour the extraordinary resilience and determination of the Stolen Generations. In our daily work, we see the enduring legacy of discriminatory policies and the profound challenges posed by inter-generational trauma and its ongoing negative effects on our communities.
We stand with the Stolen Generations, dedicated to upholding and defending their legal and human rights. Our advocacy is unwavering; we will continue to push for critical reforms to laws, policies, and practices that perpetuate discrimination and harm Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Learn More:
Recommendations: Bringing them home: The ‘Stolen Children’ report (1997) – http://bit.ly/1XUM8Wv
Congratulations, Tim Hishon on your SCLA Life Membership Award 2025!
,

Congratulations, Tim Hishon on your SCLA Life Membership Award 2025!

We’re thrilled to announce that our very own Mr. Tim Hishon has been awarded the prestigious Life Membership Award from the Sunshine Coast Law Association (SCLA)! This incredible honour was presented at the 10th Annual Justin Crosby Memorial Gala Dinner 2025 on the weekend.

The SCLA Life Member Award is a testament to significant contributions made by a member, not just to the SCLA, but to the broader local legal and non-legal communities. This highly exclusive award is presented to only one individual each year.

What makes Tim’s achievement even more remarkable is that he is only the 10th person in the SCLA’s history to receive this esteemed recognition. Furthermore, he is the first recipient not from private practice, breaking new ground for the award. His nomination garnered widespread support, with endorsements from ATSILS staff, LAQ staff, and colleagues across the private sector – a true reflection of his impact.

The entire ATSILS team is incredibly proud of Tim and extends our warmest congratulations on this truly well-deserved honour!

Need help to make a Will?
, ,

Need help to make a Will?

ATSILS has a statewide civil law team that can assist clients in making a valid Will.

Check out the video below to understand why having a Will in place is important.

To contact an ATSILS office close to you please visit: www.atsils.org.au/contact/

#ATSILS
#legalhelp

Tablelands Community Justice Group Meeting
,

Tablelands Community Justice Group Meeting

Great to catch up with the Tablelands Community Justice Group again in Atherton, to further discussions around community-led intervention initiatives, partnerships and Closing The Gap justice policy.

Thank you to Julie Go Sam (TCJG) Justice Coordinator and all local Elders in attendance for hosting our CEO – Shane Duffy, Graham White (Director of Sector Engagement & Communication), Kate Greenwood (Closing the Gap Policy Officer) and Paige Ryan (Solicitor – Coronial, Community Legal Education & Public Sector Monitoring).

Addressing justice issues requires respectful, culturally informed local approaches, increased resources for rehabilitation and diversion programs, and systemic changes to reduce reliance on detention for young people.

An example of this has been the great work the Elders have been doing in delivering On Country Camps’ linked below: https://lnkd.in/gyBsxueb

Cycling for much needed crisis counselling services across SW QLD.
, ,

Cycling for much needed crisis counselling services across SW QLD.

ATSILS Toowoomba Regional Manager will join family and friends next month on an epic mission to raise awareness and vital funds for crisis counselling services across the Darling Downs and South West Queensland.

On 26 May 2025, the first-ever Lifeline 3000 Ride will commence. Covering an incredible 1250km journey, Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland CEO, Rachelle Patterson, alongside her husband, family, and close friends, will embark on this challenging mountain bike ride from the Dig Tree (near Innamincka on the South Australian border) to Toowoomba.

The initial goal for the Lifeline 3000 Ride was to raise enough funds to employ a crisis counsellor who could serve communities across South West Queensland. However, the devastating floods that have recently swept through Western Queensland have made this need even more urgent.

The LLDDSWQ mission is to continue offering this much-needed counselling and psychosocial support to affected property owners, business owners, and individuals—long after the floodwaters have receded. To achieve this, LLDDSWQ needs the broader region’s help. By securing sponsorships and donations from partners throughout Toowoomba and beyond, LLDDSWQ can fund the long-term counselling services these communities desperately need.

LLDDSWQ acknowledges that things are pretty tough out there at the moment so if this isn’t a great time for you to consider sponsorship, we would request that you instead share the link to the LLDDSWQ fundraising page with your staff and network Lifeline Darling Downs & South West Queensland – Lifeline 3000 where individuals and businesses can make a tax-deductible donation. Every dollar raised will remain in this region as we are a local company with a footprint within the Darling Downs and South West Queensland.

For more information view:

LDDSWQL. Lifeline 3000 Charity Bike Ride. Sponsorship Proposal (long form)_v1.0 final

 

To donate to this important initiative click on the link below.

https://fundraise.lifeline.org.au/event/lifeline-darling-downs–south-west-queensland—lifeline-3000/home

Mob Strong – visiting Mt Isa in May
, ,

Mob Strong – visiting Mt Isa in May

Mob Strong is a free nationwide legal advice and financial counselling service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Mob Strong will be at the following locations:
• Mount Isa Neighbourhood Centre, 72 Marian Street, Pioneer from 9:00am – 3:00pm on the 6th of May

• Ngukuthati Children & Family Centre, 70 Short Stret, Pioneer from 9:00am – 3:00pm on the 7th & 8th of May

For more information on Mob Strong please visit – Mob Strong Debt Help – https://financialrights.org.au/getting-help/mob-strong-debt-help/

ATSILS Stategic Plan 2024-2026
,

ATSILS Stategic Plan 2024-2026

Our Mission is to deliver legal assistance services which include prevention and early intervention, and legal advice, with the core aim of focusing on the protection and advancement of the legal and human rights of First Nations Queenslanders.

Our Service Delivery includes:
– Criminal, Civil & Family Law
– Community Legal Education & Law Reform
– Throughcare Services (Rehabilitation)
– Coronial & Public Sector Monitoring

View our Strategic Plan to learn more: https://atsils.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ATSILS_StrategicPlan_2024-2026.pdf

Exploring Health Justice Partnership Opportunities in Cherbourg
, ,

Exploring Health Justice Partnership Opportunities in Cherbourg

Graham White, our Director of Sector Engagement and Communications, had the pleasure of meeting with CRAICCHS CEO Jessica Scott and EA Amanda Frankcombe yesterday in Cherbourg.

It was fantastic to be out on beautiful Wakka Wakka country, yarning about the concept of Health/Justice partnerships and gaining deeper insights into the range of vital services CRAICCHS provides. ATSILS leadership is actively exploring innovative ways to engage with key partners to extend our service delivery relative to the identified legal needs of communities. We thank Jessica and Amanda for taking the time to meet with Graham.

Service Update: ATSILS operations returning to normal after severe weather impacts

Service Update: ATSILS operations returning to normal after severe weather impacts

ATSILS Offices

ATSILS operations return to some normality following the impact of Cyclone Alfred. We will continue to prioritise staff and client safety and thank you for your understanding over the past week as we navigated the challenges of severe weather impacting our service. As always if you need legal assistance please call 1800 012 255 or visit our contacts page to find an office nearest to you.

Contact – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (QLD) Ltd

 

Courts and Tribunals 12-14 March

In terms of Magistrate Courts with the exception of Southport Registry – normal business is resumed as of 12th March 2025.

Service Update – Phone and Power Outage at ATSILS Hervey Bay Office
,

Service Update – Phone and Power Outage at ATSILS Hervey Bay Office

Severe Weather Arrangements: ATSILS Officers and Queensland Magistrates Courts – Tuesday, 11th March 2025

ATSILS Hervey Bay office is currently without power and phones. For legal assistance, please call our toll-free number, 1800 012 255.

Magistrates Courts at Beaudesert, Coolangatta and Gatton will be closed.
Magistrates Courts at Beenleigh, Brisbane, Caboolture, Cleveland, Holland Park, Harvey Bay, Ipswich, Pine Rivers, Redcliffe, Richlands, Sandgate, Southport, and Wynnum will be open for urgent matters and fresh arrests. All other matters will be administratively adjourned, and a Notice of Adjournment will be sent to parties.

Visit: https://www.courts.qld.gov.au/ for more information.

Severe Weather – arrangements for Magistrates Courts on Tuesday 11 March 2025