A celebration of the achievement and dedication of the great team at ATSILS.
Farewell to long serving CSO – Trevor Draper
ATSILS History Timeline
In December 1972 we opened the doors of our first office in George St, Brisbane. This week to mark our 50th anniversary, CEO Shane Duffy launched – ‘ATSILS History Timeline’ to staff and key stakeholders.
‘ATSILS History Timeline’ is an interactive web resource and can be viewed at: https://history.atsils.org.au
The timeline maps our justice journey beginning with the organisation’s founding by grassroots community and legal volunteers responding to injustice in 1972. From there it winds through the last five decades of Queensland’s socio-political landscape, along the way highlighting key milestones important to our growth and communicating our future vision.
From modest beginnings in early 1972, ATSILS has grown into a state-wide service with over 250 staff and twenty-five offices across the state.
ATSILS growth and development would not have been possible without the support of our diverse communities, as well as the dedicated services of countless board and staff members throughout the decades and there are more stories to tell. So please note that the initial publication of our timeline is only the start. Over the next 12 months, the site will continually evolve and give voice to more of our communities and sister organisations so important to our story.
We’d like to thank everyone who joined us at the launch in person and online, it was great to share the occasion with you.
Sorry Business – Vale: Kevin Graham Rose.

ATSILS welcomes a new ThroughCare Manager and Learning & Development Coordinator
ATSILS warmly welcomes our new ThroughCare Manager and Learning & Development Coordinator to the team. Helen and Aiden are pictured (seated) below embarking on their ATSILS induction journey.
Helen is our incoming ThroughCare Manager – and will lead a state-wide team focused on diverting clients (at high risk of re-offending) from the justice system. Helen is a descendant of the Ugurapul/Yuggera people of the Ipswich area. Helen is currently studying her Masters in Aboriginal Studies and brings a wealth of experience in working with young people.
Aiden joins us as the Learning & Development Co-ordinator. Aiden has recently completed his Masters of Organisational Psychology and has formerly worked at UQ and in local government.
A big thank you to the HR Team and legal staff in attendance for facilitating a great welcome!
2017 Lisa Watson Memorial Award – Congratulations Julie
Congratulations to Julie Corpe on being awarded the “Lisa Watson Memorial Award” at our annual staff awards recently. Julie is our amazing Finance Officer & WHS Advisor at ATSILS HQ always willing to go the extra mile in supporting staff to ensure our clients receive the highest quality of service. Julie said “Lisa was such a beautiful soul and to receive this award it’s just such an honour.”
The Lisa Watson Memorial Award is presented each year to the staff member who, like Lisa herself, best exemplifies our organisation’s core values of care, share and respect.
Lisa was known for the level of commitment, integrity and passion that she brought to her various roles and was exceedingly well respected by all who had the privilege to know her. Lisa’s legacy shines on through our staff with her passion for social justice, her people and dedication to our important work continuing to inspire staff like Julie who is a most fitting recipient of this honour.
2017 Ricky Webke Memorial Award – Congratulations Rayna Smith
Congratulations to Rayna (pictured right) for taking out the 2017 Ricky Webcke Memorial Award at the ATSILS Annual Staff Awards.
This Award is presented each year to our Organisation’s most outstanding Court Support or Field Officer. It bears the name of a truly remarkable man, the late and great Ricky Webke (known to some as George Appleton-Smith) – who was coincidentally, the inaugural recipient of this award when such were introduced on an annual basis in 2006.
Like Ricky, Rayna is a dedicated Court Support Officer, has performed her role with distinction and is passionate about doing her bit to enhance the lives of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members who come in contact with the justice system.
Court Support Officers perform a vital role, they are the frontline of our culturally competent service delivery with strong connections to community. They are experienced in assisting clients navigate the justice system and enhance communication between our clients and legal practitioners.
Our Regional Offices – Thursday Island
Connection to culture and delivering legal services on country that make a real difference to the lives of his people is what attracted Regional Manager C’Zarke Maza to Thursday Island.
In this video C’Zarke gives insight into range of services we provide across the Torres Strait. In locations such as Thursday Island our team provide outreach legal services, traveling great distances following remote court circuits to ensure access to justice for our most remote communities.
Thursday Island – Regional Office
Services Provided: Criminal, Civil and Family Law
Address: 25 Douglas Street, Thursday Island 4875 (PO Box 81)
Phone: (07) 4069 1091
Fax: (07) 4069 1678
Always remember ATSILS is here for clients 24/7 on our Free call legal assistance hotline:
1800 012 255.
Prisoner Throughcare Conference 2017
Student Placements
Student placements with a human rights based organisation like ATSILS are an important element in inspiring the next generation of legal practitioners on a path of social justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Recently our Strathpine Office had he pleasure of hosting Tayleigh who is in the final stages of her law degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Reflecting on her 3-month placement Tayleigh said that she has learnt so much about the court processes, clients and also the organisations policies, procedures and administration. She got to attend court at Pine Rivers, Sandgate and Redcliffe, and was able to accompany staff on watch house visits and take part in video link interviews with clients.
She said it was a real eye opener to witness the social disadvantage and legal issues effecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. She loved the teamwork and environment at the Strathpine Office who work tirelessly to ensure the legal rights of the local community are protected. Tayleigh said she would highly recommend a student placement with ATSILS to any individual with an interest in social justice.
Further, with Adam Chapman (pictured, Right) studying his law degree while working as our Court Support Officer, having students to assist the team supports a two-way learning approach. Mr Andrew Ferrett, our Regional Manager (pictured, Left) is an attentive, interactive and well-respected student supervisor. Also pictured is Jasmine Ross (Right of Centre) who commenced with us as a Practical Legal Training student, and now works with us.
Interested in a Student Placement with ATSILS? Find out more:
https://atsils.org.au/student-placements/