2026 ATSILS Leadership Gathering
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2026 ATSILS Leadership Gathering

✨ Reflecting on an inspiring week of connection and growth! ✨
 

The 2026 ATSILS Leadership Gathering held last week in Meanjin (Brisbane) kicked off with inspiring opening remarks, and a powerful Acknowledgement of Country by our Chair Ken Georgetown, CEO Shane Duffy, and PLO Greg Shadbolt.

What followed at the Voco Hotel was an intensive and collaborative two days dedicated to elevating our strategic vision, sharing frontline insights, and driving organisational excellence. 💼✨

The core focus of this year’s conference was creating an invaluable opportunity for leaders from all corners of the state to come together and take a deep dive into the dynamics of workforce development and the key systems and processes that support their leadership.

The gathering served as an engaging forum for cross-regional ideas, collaborative problem-solving, and shared strategies.

Our teams engaged in a comprehensive training program specifically structured to enhance leadership capabilities—ensuring we continue to build sustainable, high-performing workplaces across Queensland.

A huge thank you to the fantastic internal and external presenters who delivered the program:

  • Jharna Mullins (LAQ) for crucial insights into grants training and support.
  • Our IT and Project Team for guiding us through the upcoming Electronic Record Management System updates.
  • Gretel Hunnerup for providing practical frameworks on maximising performance review discussions.
  • Tallena Johnston (ATSILS) for navigating complex case studies in WHS, conflict resolution, and staff transitions.
  • Adam Ross & Natalie Cranston (ATSILS) for their strategic session on optimising recruitment.
  • Dr. James Coleman (Elite Distance Runner) for an incredible guest presentation, translating AFL leadership and the 5R model directly into workplace success.

Once again, we extend our sincere gratitude to the our People and Organisational Development (POD) team and to Angela Jacob for their outstanding efforts in coordinating another highly successful event. Furthermore, we commend Aiden Harrison for his exceptional facilitation of the event throughout the two-day program.

Our leaders returned home to their regions equipped with enhanced leadership insights, fresh perspectives, and an elevated capacity to support our staff and advocate for our communities. 🌟🙌 💪🖤💛❤️💚💙🖤

 

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.

 

First Nations Moot – Toowoomba
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First Nations Moot – Toowoomba

🌟 Well done to Andrew Gower (Client Services Officer, Toowoomba and UNISQ Law Student) for participating in this year’s First Nations Moot!

Andrew and fellow UNISQ law student Caiden showcased incredible talent and dedication, doing our Toowoomba office proud and representing UNISQ with distinction. They faced tough competition, ultimately falling to formidable teams from Bond and Griffith Universities.

A massive thank you to the incredible mentors who supported them through the process, including Kristie Smith (UNISQ First Nations Lead & ex-ATSILS Lawyer), as well as Christianne and Sharon (Criminal Lawyers, ATSILS Toowoomba Office).

Christianne and Sharon were exceptionally generous with their time, allowing the students to shadow them at the Magistrates Court, providing invaluable, real-world insight into court proceedings. This mentorship and collegiate spirit are traits we are proud of at ATSILS and are vital in supporting the next generation of First Nations legal professionals along their justice journey.

We’re thrilled to hear the First Nations Moot will now be an annual event. We are looking forward to supporting the team next year!

ATSILS’s Managers’ Conference 2024
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ATSILS’s Managers’ Conference 2024

Last week the ATSILS’s Managers’ Conference was held in Brisbane. It was fantastic to have all ATSILS leaders in one place to discuss the key workforce challenges and opportunities impacting service delivery.

Congratulations to our HR Team on the success of the event. The team delivered a highly engaging program designed to equip our managers with more tools to manage change, address conflict, and overcome the common challenges impacting team dynamics which was well received by all.

Client Services Trainee Graduate – Brisbane
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Client Services Trainee Graduate – Brisbane

Congratulations to Akotapu Paongu who has graduated as one of our Client Services Trainees in Brisbane,

While undertaking her traineeship with ATSILS, Akotapu Paongu also took the initiative to become a Justice of the Peace as was sworn in at the Brisbane Courts just over a year ago. Since then she has been delivering JP services to support the team from our reception in Brisbane.

We congratulate Akotapu on all her achievements and great work and we wish her all the best on her journey ahead with ATSILS.

Developing the Cultural Competence of our Workforce
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Developing the Cultural Competence of our Workforce

cc_workshop_sep2018_5This week ATSILS staff enjoyed participating in a series of cultural competence training workshops in Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns. The training was facilitated by consultant Tom Kirk and he delivered a dynamic program covering topics such as cultural diversity, kinship systems, the impacts of colonisation, governance and communicating across cultures.

The highly interactive sessions provided a great learning experience for participants. It enabled new staff to quickly establish a foundation for developing their cultural competence further, whilst more experienced staff had the opportunity to test and refine their knowledge and existing cross cultural communication skills. All in all staff got a lot out of the days and appreciated Tom’s engaging teaching style.

ATSILS is committed to strengthening the cultural competence of its workforce to ensure we are able to foster more effective community relationships and deliver highly accessible legal services responsive to the needs of clients and communities across the state.

 

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 Managers’ Workshop
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ATSILS Managers’ Workshop

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Last week our leaders from across the State came together for a 2 day Managers’ workshop in Brisbane. The Managers’ were updated on data definitions related to service provision by our Principal Legal Officer Greg; given insight into activity around Communications and Sector Engagement by Graham; and had lengthy discussions regarding recruitment practices, cultural competence and our commitment to workforce development with our CEO – Shane and Human Resources Manager – Jane.

The workshop was held with fantastic collegiate spirit and it was a great opportunity for our Regional Managers, Directors of Law and Program Managers to share ideas on service delivery needs and solutions, and stay up to date with key management policies to ensure our organisation is compliant with funding agreements and tuned to the diverse needs of our communities across Queensland.

For more ATSILS news visit:
https://www.facebook.com/atsils/

 

 

 

Advocacy Skills Development Program – April 2016
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Advocacy Skills Development Program – April 2016

Advocacy Skills Workshop: BrisbaneIncreased legal advocacy  skills and confidence: a practical, hands-on workshop. 28-29 April 2016.

The Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (QLD) Ltd will gather its statewide team of 37 Family, Child Protection, Civil Law legal practitioners and paralegals for its inaugural advocacy skills development program in Brisbane this month.

Workshop leaders include Barristers Craig Smith, presentation specialist, Jane FitzGerald, with workshop guidance training from Professional Development specialist, Margaret Voight. This team will provide innovative, customised advocacy coaching for our growing workforce.

Supporting Barristers-at-Law will guide each ATSILS staff member in small teams relating to core case planning and theory.

The aims of this program are to:

  • increase your understanding of how to better prepare for your appearance in court,
  • develop the skills for effective court advocacy, and
  • build your confidence as a professional advocate.

This 2016 project forms part of the emerging ATSILS Workforce Development Cultural Plan and is available exclusively to ATSILS employees.

View workshop flyer here > ATSILS Advocacy Workshop Flyer Fam Civil 2016