ATSILS Sunshine Coast Official Office Opening
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ATSILS Sunshine Coast Official Office Opening

Milestone Moment on the Sunshine Coast 🏛️✨

Last week, we officially cut the ribbon on our brand-new Maroochydore Office! It was an incredible day marked by community, reflection, and growth, officially opened by our CEO Shane Duffy and Sunshine Coast Regional Manager Tim Hishon.

As guests entered the new space, they were welcomed by a beautiful and grounding Acknowledgement of Country, setting a meaningful tone for the celebration.

Both Shane and Tim delivered heartfelt speeches, looking back at the early days of ATSILS on the Sunshine Coast. They reflected on the great camaraderie in overcoming challenges and just how far we have come as an organisation—notably achieving wage parity with other legal assistance providers—and the vital importance of having a modern, purpose-built facility to better serve our staff and community. Tim also shared a deeply moving tribute to his staff, with special mentions for long-serving Legal Practitioner Rod Morgan and former Court Support Officer Trevor Draper, who, alongside Tim, have been the backbone of the proud legacy ATSILS has built on the Coast.

We were privileged to welcome a distinguished group of staff, stakeholders, and dignitaries from the local judiciary to mark this new chapter. Our sincere thanks to everyone who joined us, including:

Judge Long, Judge Cash, and their associates
Legal Aid Queensland
Suncoast Community Legal Service Inc
The DPP & Friends of the Court
Murri Court Elders
Youth Justice
UnitingCare Queensland

A massive thank you as well to Tahne and Donna for all their work in planning the event and for providing the exceptional catering that kept our guests energised throughout the celebration!

Our new office is located at Suite 3/115-117 Aerodrome Road, Maroochydore, QLD 4558 (Entry via Maud St).

This move represents our ongoing commitment to justice, equity, and high-quality legal service delivery to Mob on the Sunshine Coast. The new location brings us closer to the Courts, provides more space for our growing workforce, and will help us better serve our community across the region.

ATSILS Family and Civil Law Gathering 2026
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ATSILS Family and Civil Law Gathering 2026

Last week, members of our Family and Civil Law teams from across Queensland gathered on Yuggera and Turrbal country in Brisbane (Meanjin) for the ATSILS Family & Civil Law Statewide Conference. ⚖️✨

Following an Acknowledgement of Country, the delegation received a warm welcome and opening remarks from our Chair Ken Georgetown, CEO Shane Duffy, and Principal Legal Officer Greg Shadbolt—setting a collaborative and inspiring tone for three days of intensive professional development.

The dynamic program focused on practical training, sector updates, and strengthening our state-wide collegiate network. We extend our sincere thanks to the incredible guest speakers and industry experts who shared their time and vital insights:

  • Belinda Aisbett, Rachel Frankish, Natalie Cranston and Adam Ross (ATSILS POD Team) who presented on Workforce Development
  • Melissa Lightburn & Tyron Day – Administrative Review Tribunal QLD First Nations Liaison Team
  • Audrey-Bella Moran – Data and File Management
  • Shane Budden (Special Counsel Ethics, Queensland Law Society)
  • Senior Judicial Registrar Flintoff – Federal Circuit & Family Court of Australia
  • Anand Shah (Barrister) – Mediation Practice
  • Craig Smith (Director of Legal Practice, QUT) – Courtroom Advocacy Masterclass
  • Magistrate Mac Giolla Ri – Magistrates Court QLD
  • Hamish – Blue Card Services QLD
  • Dr. Gavan Palk (Barrister & Forensic Psychologist) – Client Capacity and Mental Health
  • Dr. Tarli Young (UQ Centre for Excellence) – Workplace Well-being

We also want to acknowledge the exceptional work of the ATSILS POD team, Jennifer Ekanayake (ATSILS Director of Family Law) and Simon Burgess (ATSILS Director of Civil Law) for their meticulous event planning and management, and a big thank you to Aiden Harrison for doing such a fantastic job facilitating the conference! 👏👏

Our practitioners returned to their respective regional hubs upskilled, re-energised, and deeply committed to delivering high-quality, culturally robust legal services for our communities.

 

Open Letter to PM Anthony Albanese – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Incarceration Rates.
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Open Letter to PM Anthony Albanese – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Incarceration Rates.

Sign the Open Letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

Right now, there are more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in prison than ever before.
From coast to coast across our lands, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are being criminalised and imprisoned at alarming rates.

This is happening because state and territory governments are more concerned with political point-scoring  than evidence-based reforms.

That is why more than 200 organisations and leaders have come together to urge the Prime Minister to show national leadership.

We are calling for a national emergency summit on youth justice, so that key decision makers in government can listen to the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal experts and leaders in a setting where community-controlled organisations lead the discussion.

Will you sign the open letter to add your voice?

🎥 Strengthening Pathways to Justice in the Far North 🎥
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🎥 Strengthening Pathways to Justice in the Far North 🎥

Our Cairns team is proud to be part of a critical partnership with the Family Responsibilities Commission (FRC), aimed at empowering First Nations people to fully participate in the criminal justice system.

The impact of this collaboration is captured in the new film, ‘My Justice Journey’. It follows the vital work of FRC Local Commissioners—respected Elders in the Aurukun community—as they provide essential, culturally grounded support to vulnerable community members navigating the justice system.

This project is a powerful testament to the necessity of community-led solutions in achieving meaningful justice outcomes.

 

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

Masterclass event on the changes to the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991
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Masterclass event on the changes to the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991

The UQ Pro Bono Centre and Community Legal Centres Queensland recently held a Masterclass event on the changes to the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 for legal practitioners in the community legal assistance sector.

At this event, there were short presentations from ATSILS, the @Institute of Urban Indigenous Health, Legal Aid Queensland, the Queensland Human Rights Commission, The University of Queensland and Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion.

ATSILS’ Kate Greenwood and Pree Sharma presented to the group on key changes to vilification laws in Queensland. It is hoped that this event will help equip civil lawyers to understand key changes to the legislative framework so that they can best assist their clients with discrimination and vilification matters once the changes come into effect next year.

Elders for Change – Townsville
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Elders for Change – Townsville

Our CEO along with our Close the Gap Policy and Sector Engagement and Communications teams spent valuable time with Elders for Change while in Townsville this week.

The team provided insights into our Close the Gap Policy approach and discussed the complex justice issues facing the local community. The passion and vision shared by the Elders concerning their intervention and prevention approach were inspiring. The grass-roots justice reinvestment approach they deliver to the community is critical to addressing the drivers of offending and unacceptable incarceration rates.

ATSILS has long advocated for community-led justice reinvestment initiatives and it is great to see the Federal Government invest in this approach in Townsville. Elders for Change are helping to prevent deaths in custody by providing cultural support and, with the Elders’ guidance, offenders and prison staff are building better relationships which makes our prisons safer. They’re also building strong relationships with service providers in the justice sector to enhance service delivery to their community and divert people from contact with the justice system. These important connections with grass-roots-led programs certainly assist organisations like ours to fine-tune our service delivery in line with the needs of the local community.

We thank ‘Elders for Change’ for taking the time to share their wisdom and look forward to strengthening our relationship in the future.

Triple A, Murri Country – International Women’s Day Event – Brisbane 11/3
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Triple A, Murri Country – International Women’s Day Event – Brisbane 11/3

Triple A, Murri Country are hosting International Women’s Day – First Nations, Morning Tea at Bunyapa Park, West End, Brisbane on 11th March from 6-10am.

This event is to create awareness for gender equality and to bring our First Nation women’s voice front and center, celebrating achievements, breaking barriers and creating awareness to break the bias. The Morning Tea will include, BBQ breakfast, weaving activity and two live outside broadcasts with Triple A Murri County Breakfast Show and Let’s Talk which will feature a panel of incredible First Nation women voices and special guest Jackie Huggins. Also, you will get to see some amazing talented female artists such as Rochelle Pitt perform live.

 

View More Information:

What is the Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa (Torres Strait Islander Traditional Child Rearing Practice) Act 2020?
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What is the Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa (Torres Strait Islander Traditional Child Rearing Practice) Act 2020?

A first of its kind, the Act recognises Torres Strait Islander lore in Western Law and establishes a process for the legal recognition of Torres Strait Islander traditional child rearing practice.

‘Meriba Omasker’ and ‘Kaziw Kazipa’ is made up of language terms from Eastern island language and Top Western island languages of the Torres Strait and collectively is translated as ‘for our children’s children’.

Find out more by visiting the Office of the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa) website:

https://www.ocmokk.qld.gov.au/

 

View the legal information fact sheet developed by Legal Aid QLD, ATSILS QLD and QIFVLS:

Ailan Kastom child rearing practice in Torres Strait Islander families
How do I get Ailan Kastom recognised under the law? 

https://www.legalaid.qld.gov.au/files/assets/public/publications/relationships-and-children/ailan-kastom-child-rearing-practice-final.pdf