2009 Justice Awards

The 2009 Justice Awards were presented by the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW at the annual Justice Awards dinner at Parliament House, Sydney on 1 October. In their 11th year, the Justice Awards recognize the contributions everyday people are making to improve access to justice in NSW, especially for disadvantaged people. The 2009 Law and Justice Address was delivered by The Hon. Murray Gleeson AC.

The winners of this year’s awards are:

Justice Medal: Dr Eileen Baldry

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

Dr Baldry is an academic and activist who has made a major contribution to improving access to justice for prisoners and people in the criminal justice system with mental disorders and cognitive disabilities. Her work informs government policy development. She is generous in sharing her knowledge and indefatigable in her support of many justice-related committees and causes. As a colleague said: “It doesn’t matter where you go or what you do in the field of criminal justice, she is either there or has been there.”

Aboriginal Justice Award: has been awarded to the 12 Aboriginal elders and community representatives who have committed so much to bring their cultural knowledge and wisdom to the successful pilot of circle sentencing, through which better understanding and respect between the court and community is building.

Pro Bono Partnership Award: has been awarded to Mills Oakley Lawyers and the Salvation Army, Auburn for their partnership aimed at providing free legal advice and representation for marginalised people in Western Sydney.

Law and Justice Volunteer Award: has been awarded to the Southern Women’s Group, who have made a real difference over 20 years to the lives of women and children on the South Coast, especially those who are victims of domestic violence.

Law Society President’s Award: This award recognises the outstanding commitment to pro bono work by Mr Oleh Suchowersky of Northern Suburbs Lawyers.

Community Legal Centres NSW Award: has been awarded to a group of organisations that, in partnership, provides regular free legal advice and workshops at three women’s correctional facilities in Sydney. The partners in this Legal Education and Advice in Prison for Women Project are the Women’s Legal Services NSW, Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre and Hawkesbury Nepean Community Legal Centre.

LIAC Centre of Excellence Award: Auburn City Library and Coffs Harbour City Library for their engaging and well-attended Law Week programs.

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

• Lyn Alcock, Bankstown Women’s Domestic Violence Court Assistance Scheme
• Dr Eileen Baldry, School of Social Sciences, University of NSW
• Richard Brading, Wesley Mission
• Father Jim Carty, The House of Welcome
• Karen Cox, Consumer Credit Legal Centre
• Prue Gregory, Macarthur Legal Centre
• Paul Jacob, NSW Police Force
• Susan Laguna, Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association
• Maree Livermore, Southern Women’s Group
• Ken Marslew AM, Enough is Enough Anti Violence Movement
• Rachael Martin, Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre
• Dr Chandrika Subramaniam, Success Lawyers and Barristers

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

• Bobbi Cattermole, NSW Attorney General’s Department
• Circle Sentencing, Nowra Local Court
• Lyn Larkins, Shoalcoast Community Legal Centre
• Gail (Patricia) Ling, Nambucca Heads Aboriginal Land Council
• Colleen Murray, Tirkandi Inaburra Cultural and Development Centre
• Barbara Nicholson, University of Wollongong
• Nancy Walke, Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre
• Ken Zulumovski, Gamarada Aboriginal Men’s Healing and Life Skills Development Program

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

• Benjamin & Leonardo Criminal Defence Lawyers/Blacktown Police and Community Youth Club
• Blake Dawson, Clayton Utz and Freehills with the Bar Association, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Women’s Legal Services NSW
• Freehills/Mission Australia
• Mallesons Stephen Jaques/Australian Red Cross
• Mills Oakley Lawyers/Salvation Army - Auburn

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

• Bridge for Asylum Seekers
• Immigration Advice & Rights Centre administrative volunteers
• Terri King, North & North West Community Legal Service
• Steven Miller, Steven J Miller Accounting
• Southern Women’s Group
• StAMP Mentoring Program