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Supporting the next generation of First Nations legal talent

Published:
Thursday 23 November 2023 at 10:53 pm

A number of our staff recently attended a dinner celebrating the 20th anniversary of Tarwirri, the Indigenous Law Students and Lawyers Association of Victoria.

The association provides assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander law students, graduates, solicitors, barristers and judicial officers throughout Victoria, and also seeks to increase the representation of First Nations legal professionals and law students throughout the Victorian legal landscape and broader community.

Director First Nations Services Ashley Morris attended the dinner and believes ‘it is important to nurture the relationship between Tarwirri and Victoria Legal Aid as it provides a pipeline of First Nations talent into the legal assistance sector, is consistent with our goal to attract more First Nations staff and helps us achieve the goals in our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy and the recently released Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2023–25.

We are dedicated to increasing our First Nations workforce and have committed to a five per cent employment target by the end of our current Reconciliation Action Plan.

‘Having a strong relationship with Tarwirri will assist us in achieving this goal and identifying and providing opportunities for Tarwirri’s members.

‘A diverse workforce is essential to delivering services that are culturally safe and responsive for our clients, and First Nations staff bring unique knowledge, skills and expertise to our workforce, and understand the needs and aspirations of the First Nations community,’ said Ashley.

The night featured a number of First Nations speakers including Her Honour Magistrate Abigail Burchill, Uncle Andrew Jackomos, who is a VLA Board member, and Victorian barrister Tim Goodwin as well as performances from Djirri Djirri, Victoria’s only Aboriginal women’s dance group, DJ Kidd Benny and singer/songwriter David Arden.

Front row L–R: Associate Director, Access and Equity, Jon Cina; Executive Director, Civil Justice, Access and Equity, Rowan McRae; Morwell Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer, Lorena Burney; Ballarat Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer, Stacey Lovett-Kanoa; Case Manager, Family Dispute Resolution Service, Chantelle Fisher.

Back row L–R: Ballarat Legal Assistant, Shakira Ilsley; Strategic Policy Projects Manager, First Nations Services, Courtney McGann; Project Manager, First Nations Services, Bridget Hansen; Director, First Nations Services, Ashley Morris; Magistrate Anne Collins; Project Manager, Outcomes and Evidence, Data and Digital Information, Steph McStay.

More information

Read more at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy

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