2006 Justice Awards

The 2006 Justice Awards were presented on 31 October at Parliament House Sydney. View photos.

The 2006 Law and Justice Address was delivered by The Rgt. Hon. Malcolm Fraser AC, CH. A text version is now available. Audio of the address is also available in MP3 format.

The 2006 Justice Medal

is the pre-eminent Award, for outstanding individual achievement in improving access to justice especially for socially and economically disadvantaged people, and was presented by the Foundation's Chair the Hon Paul Stein QC AM to

Mr Peter Stapleton for four decades of contributions to identifying legal needs and creating solutions to meet them. His work spans the establishment of community legal centres (Redfern and Marrickville), the Aboriginal Legal Services, pro bono programs for law firms and he was recently named Chair of the National Pro Bono Resource Centre.

• Ms Chris Ronalds AM SC was 'Highly Commended' for her track record advising governments on access to justice issues and as a champion of reform in areas including affirmative action, sex discrimination, disability discrimination, and her support for Indigenous students and barristers.
  

The 2006 Aboriginal Justice Award

was presented by Mr Laurie Glanfield AM, Director General, Attorney General's Department of NSW to Mr Lester Bostock for his vital role in raising the profile of the unmet legal needs of Aboriginal people with disabilities, promoting and protecting their human rights, and advocacy on their behalf.

• Ms Vera Lovelock was 'Highly Commended' for her work supporting families and individuals and her efforts to help police, courts and lawyers better understand the communication issues faced by Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system.
  

The 2006 Law And Justice Volunteer Award

was presented by Mr Michael Slattery QC, President, NSW Bar Association to Balmain For Refugees for the group's voluntary efforts to help asylum seekers at Villawood Detention Centre and those released without funds into the community

• 'Highly Commended' was Mrs Ruth Alley who, in her 80s, still volunteers three days a week helping visitors to Newcastle Court.
  

The 2006 Pro Bono Partnership Award

was presented by Mr John Corker, Director, National Pro Bono Resource Centre to Otto Stichter & Associates and The Exodus Foundation for a 20 year partnership that has assisted many of the Foundation's clients with legal problems and by providing pro bono professional services to the Foundation, which can then concentrate on what it does best – delivering services to disadvantaged people.

The 2006 Law Society President's Award

was presented by Mr Hugh Macken, Junior Vice President, Law Society of NSW to Ms Salina Sadiq for accepting referrals in a variety of legal areas including Criminal, Civil and Immigration matters.

The 2006 Combined Community Legal Centres Group (CCLCG) Award

was presented by Ms Michelle Jones, Chair, CCLCG, to Mr Paul Boers for his volunteer work at the Inner City Legal Centre especially his work on issues relating to Family Law and gay and lesbian parents and families.

• Mr John Gooley of Marrickville CLC was 'Highly Commended' especially for his work on employment issues.
  

2006 LIAC Centre Of Excellence Awards

were presented by Ms Regina Sutton, State Librarian and CEO of the State Library to

• Richmond-Upper Clarence Regional Library for its monthly free legal advice service at the Casino Library.
• Port Stephens Library for its activities during National Law Week 2006, which raised awareness of the law@your library service and its resources.
  

The 2006 Law and Justice Address Who matters? How many? was delivered by The Right Hon Malcolm Fraser AC CH.

All photographs courtesy of Billy Ryan