As part of our partnership with Ngalaya, the Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation sponsored Bridgette Hey to attend the 14th National Indigenous Legal Conference in Darwin last 13 and 14 August. Bridgette is a Wiradjuri woman from South West NSW, studying law at the University of Newcastle.
For the 14th consecutive year, the NILC brought together lawyers, academics, students and related professionals from across Australia. This year’s theme was True Justice: Integrating Indigenous Perspectives.
Presenters included Professor Mick Dodson AM (Australian of the Year 2009), Dr Pat Miller AO (Centenary of Federation Medal recipient 2003), and David Woodroffe (National Indigenous Legal Professional of the Year 2013), amongst many other speakers.
I would like to thank Ngalaya for giving me the chance to attend the National Indigenous Legal Conference. It has been an invaluable experience which I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do without the sponsorship of Colin Biggers & Paisley.
I have been very fortunate to meet people from all around Australia who are working towards common goals in health, justice and other community centered roles. I have been lucky to hear the stories and experiences in person from inspiring Aboriginal leaders and activists from a wide range of areas yet working towards similar results to improve access and equality for those experiencing disadvantages particularly within health and justice.
I am very appreciative of having the opportunity to attend the NILC and for the support throughout the experience. I would definitely recommend it to anyone working or studying in health, justice or community centered roles.
NGALAYA
Ngalaya is the peak body for First Nations legal practitioners and law students in NSW. Ngalaya aims is to act as a support system for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students:
• facilitating cadetships with law firms and other corporate partners;
• providing one-off crisis payments for students relying solely on Abstudy;
• holding networking events; and
• sponsoring the attendance of regional law students to conferences and events.
