2010 Justice Awards

The 2010 Justice Awards were presented by the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW at the annual Justice Awards dinner at Parliament House, Sydney on 14 October. In their 12th year, the Justice Awards recognise the contributions everyday people are making to improve access to justice in NSW, especially for disadvantaged people. The 2010 Law and Justice Address was delivered by The Hon. Susan Ryan AO.

The winners of this year’s awards are:

Justice Medal:

Rachael Martin

The Justice Medal is the pre-eminent Award for outstanding individual achievement in improving access to justice especially for socially and economically disadvantaged people.

A mainstay at Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre, Rachael Martin has worked closely with the community legal sector and government bodies to ensure that Aboriginal women and children are able to better access legal and support services, particularly in relation to domestic violence and victims compensation. She provides high quality legal assistance and advice, delivers community legal education and has influenced law reform and policy development.

Aboriginal Justice Award:

Was awarded to Roy “Dootch” Kennedy who is a member of the Yuin-Kurie people and has spent the last 30 years advocating for Aboriginal rights, his community and the environment.

Pro Bono Partnership Award:

Was awarded to a long-standing partnership between Blake Dawson and Lou’s Place that provides legal assistance to women in the heart of the Kings Cross, many of whom are homeless, live in local refuges and are often at crisis points in their lives.

Law and Justice Volunteer Award:

Estrella McKinnon was awarded for dedicating more than 25 years to supporting culturally and linguistically diverse communities in the Illawarra area, empowering women and young people who may be vulnerable to violence or abuse.

Law Society President’s Award: This award recognises the outstanding commitment to pro bono work by Ern Phang of Phang Legal

Community Legal Centres NSW Award:

Was awarded to Homeless Person’s Legal Service for Street Care, a project which has given homeless people in NSW a voice so that government agencies and service providers have a greater awareness of the wants and needs of this highly disadvantaged group.

LIAC Centre of Excellence Award:

Singleton Upper-Clarence Regional Library and Singleton Public Library were awarded for showcasing LIAC services and increasing the use of their library’s legal resources.

The nominees for the Justice Medal, Aboriginal Law and Justice Award, Pro Bono Partnership Award and Law and Justice Volunteer Award were:

Justice Medal — sponsored by the Law and Justice Foundation

• Josie Gregory
• Kerry Cassells
• Yanfang (Fiona) Zhou
• Catherine Peek
• Father Chris Riley
• Meredith Osborne
• Chris Hartley
• Rachael Martin
• Jenny Bargen
• Cathy Want

Aboriginal Law and Justice Award — sponsored by the NSW Department of Justice and Attorney General

• Mount Druitt Aboriginal Community Justice Group
• Kristine Braddick, Michele Wellington, Donna Castagna, Bianca Perry and Angela Lonesborough from Waminda Women's Health and Welfare Aboriginal Corporation
• Roy ‘Dootch’ Kennedy
• Colin Gale
• Gerry Moore
• Jill Jessop
• Paul Teerman

Pro Bono Partnership Award — sponsored by the National Pro Bono Resource Centre

• Wauchope Neighbourhood Centre with JM Glass Solicitors
• Wyong Neighbourhood Centre with Gilbert + Tobin
• Sydney Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service with Gilbert + Tobin
• Lou’s Place with Blake Dawson
• Sydney Women’s Counselling Service with Adams and Partners
• Homeless Person’s Legal Service with their 20+ partners
• Nambucca Heads Local Aboriginal Land Council and Unkya Local Aboriginal Land Council with Allens Arthur Robinson
• CLSD Program — Central and Far West Regions with Blake Dawson

Law and Justice Volunteer Award — sponsored by the New South Wales Bar Association

• Colleen Pearsall & Dorothy Burns — Volunteers in Policing (VIP) at Grafton
• Jill Edmonds
• Estrella McKinnon
• David Peachey, Nathan Merritt, Beau Champion, Chris Sandow, Jaiman Lowe, Rhys Wesser from Souths Cares
• Vicki Geraghty