ATSILS adopts a new brand to mark 50 years of service.
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ATSILS adopts a new brand to mark 50 years of service.

December is the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service in Brisbane.

To mark this milestone we wish to advise our clients, communities, and stakeholders that we are adopting a new logo and visual brand.

ATSILS Board of Directors endorsed the undertaking of the corporate rebrand project in mid-2022 under the theme ‘ATSILS – 50 Years Strong’.

First Nations creative agency – Relative Creative was engaged to undertake the strategic design phase & we thank them for their creativity and vision throughout the project. We’d also like to thank Goreng Goreng artist Rachael Sarra who was commissioned to create a specialty artwork that has been integrated into our visual identity to communicate our strong commitment to community and culture.

Their innovative creative practice combined with the leadership of the ATSILS team has established a brand that we are proud to present to our communities and stakeholders. It is a brand that we believe honours our proud history, will connect more deeply with our communities, and aligns well with our ongoing mission of advancing the legal and human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout.

Please note our transition to the new visual branding will begin throughout December to coincide with our 50-year celebrations. Implementing the branding across all our communication resources is expected to continue into early 2023.

To read more about the story behind the new ATSILS branding click here.

R U OK? Day 2022
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R U OK? Day 2022

Today is R U OK?Day, a national day of action when we are reminded that every day is the day to ask, ‘are you OK?’ and start a meaningful conversation with someone you care about who might be struggling with life.
Find tips on how to ask, and what to say if someone says they aren’t OK, at https://bit.ly/2ZcG05n #RUOK
Sorry Business – Vale: Kevin Graham Rose.
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Sorry Business – Vale: Kevin Graham Rose.

It is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge and pay our respects in relation to the recent passing of Kevin Rose, who up until then was the Regional Manager of our Ipswich office (previously of our Toowoomba office). Kevin’s passing has been greeted with a spontaneous outpouring of sympathies from across the legal profession – such was the esteem in which he was held. Kevin leaves behind a loving wife (Selena) and two children – as well as many friends. To his family in particular, we offer our heartfelt condolences. Kevin has left a big hole in all of our hearts.
Kevin was admitted to the Bar in 1996 and remained in private practice as a barrister for the initial phase of his legal journey. During this period he was also a part-time Associate Lecturer in Law (and tutor) at James Cook University. Kevin’s career has been one which exemplifies his dedication and passion in terms of assisting the most disadvantaged. Kevin joined our organisation in 2005, and prior thereto had been both the Legal Practice Manager and Principal Legal Officer of our then sister organisation in Townsville. Kevin also worked for a period with Legal Aid Queensland (2002-2003) and prior to that, as the Principal Legal Officer of the then Mackay ATSILS (1999-2001).
 
Kevin was drawn to the law later in life than most – having worked as a Train Controller with the Queensland Government Railways (1977 – 1992), where he was promoted on 3 occasions. Kevin gave freely of his time and also sat on a number of Boards – including the Kambu Health Service at Ipswich and the Toowoomba Youth Service. When in Mackay Kevin performed voluntary work assisting street kids and other homeless people.
 
Kevin was rightly proud of the fact that he was awarded the Ipswich City Medal, Australia Day 2011 for service and commitment to the Ipswich Community as a barrister. Other awards include the Ipswich Ambassador Award, Ipswich City Council 2010; the North Queensland Bar Association Prize, James Cook University (JCU) (highest marks in criminal law) 1992; the Roberts Leu and North Scholarship, JCU 1992; winner of the JCU Moots competition trophy for 2 years; 1993-1994. Kevin was also nominated for the Ipswich Citizen of the Year 2011 and Pride of Queensland award 2012.
 
Kevin’s personality and outlook on life is well demonstrated in the following quote from one of his work colleagues at ATSILS: “Kevin was one of those people who always looked for the good in people; always wanted to help people; and who always showed kindness. There’s not much of a better legacy than that to leave behind.”
 
On the 18th of this month, Kevin was to have celebrated his 63rd birthday – gone too soon. Whilst Kevin was an excellent lawyer and advocate on behalf of his clients, better still, he was a wonderful human being. Kevin will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
 
Again, our respects and deepest condolences to his family.
Do you need help with making a Will?

Do you need help with making a Will?

Did you know ATSILS (QLD) has a state-wide civil law team that can help clients make a valid Will?

Listen to Uncle Bunji on why it’s essential to have a Will in place and how to access help.

 

To contact an ATSILS office visit: atsils.org.au/contact/

ATSILS Change in Auditors – Notification
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ATSILS Change in Auditors – Notification

Change in Auditors:

We advise that the organisation has changed its auditors in the financial year 2021/2022 from Vincents Chartered Accountants, Santos Place, 34/32 Turbot Street, Brisbane to Grant Thornton Australia Limited, Level 18,145 Ann Street, Brisbane.

The change in auditors is in accordance with good corporate governance practice.

ATSILS meets with The Federal Attorney-General in Gladstone
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ATSILS meets with The Federal Attorney-General in Gladstone

Gladstone ATSILSThis week ATSILS CEO Shane Duffy and the team servicing Gladstone had the pleasure of meeting with The Federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus MP. The Attorney-General was in regional Queensland conducting his first visits with legal assistance providers since becoming Attorney-General.
Meeting with the Attorney-General at the Gladstone Courthouse proved a great opportunity for the team to give a firsthand account of the important work ATSILS undertakes in providing access to justice for the most vulnerable in the community.
The ever-increasing demand for legal assistance was a key service delivery challenge on display in Gladstone during the AGs’ time there. During the visit, our CEO took the opportunity to announce that in the coming months ATSILS will be expanding its service by establishing a permanent office and workforce in Gladstone to respond to the identified legal needs of the community. This will include additional criminal law and court support officer positions. Currently, members of ATSILS criminal law team travel down from Rockhampton to service the Gladstone community. Having criminal law staff permanently based in Gladstone is critically needed to improve access to justice for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in the region.
ATSILS would like to thank the Attorney-General for the valuable time shared in Gladstone. Throughout discussions, it was clear the Attorney-General had a deep understanding of the vital role legal assistance providers play in the justice system. He was sensitive to the service delivery challenges highlighted by the team and keenly aware of how far current resourcing is being overstretched in the legal assistance sector in attempts to meet spiralling demand.
Were you (or someone you help) flooded? Get legal help!
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Were you (or someone you help) flooded? Get legal help!

Legal Help for Disasters cause legal problems.
Are you experiencing:
• Insurance hassles?
• Changes to parenting and care arrangements?
• Tenancy and housing problems?
• Unsafe relationships?
• Unfair employment changes?
• Financial hardship – e.g. unmanageable or unfair debts?
For quality, free legal help, contact:
ATSILS (QLD) – 1800 012 255
Legal Aid Queensland – 1300 65 11 88
Community Legal Centres Queensland
07 3392 0092
ATSILS welcomes a new ThroughCare Manager and Learning & Development Coordinator
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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!

Service Update: Client visits to ATSILS offices
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Service Update: Client visits to ATSILS offices

ATSILS Service UpdateFrom today ATSILS offices are once again open to client visits.
We encourage clients however to exercise caution and only attend our offices for necessary face-to-face appointments. Please contact your lawyer to confirm arrangements. https://atsils.org.au/contact/
Although face masks 😷 are no longer required in most settings, we strongly recommend our staff and visitors to our office, continue to wear one, especially in small meeting rooms and circumstances where you can’t socially distance.
Please note (as per QLD Health’s advice on 4/04/202), you still need to wear a mask in healthcare settings, disability and aged care facilities, prisons, on planes and when riding public transport.
We thank everyone for their ongoing cooperation as we continue to align our biosecurity measures with State Government Health advice and navigate the pandemic with staff, client and community safety at the centre of our responses.
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.

 

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