Australia Day Awards celebrate remarkable Australian women

This year’s Australia Day Awards celebrated four remarkable Australian women, all united in a desire to help others find their voice. Four inspiring women creating positive change for the benefit of society.

Listening to sexual assault survivor and advocate Grace Tame’s powerful speech as she accepted her award for Australian of the Year last week gave me pause to reflect on the collective effort of all those in the legal profession who strive to defend the rights of some of the most vulnerable people in our community - victims of domestic and family violence, children and young people, people with disabilities, our First Nations people and other marginalised groups.

Grace’s unwavering determination for “every voice to be heard" is something that binds all who work to ensure a just legal system.

One of the rewarding aspects of being involved with the Law Society is the extensive policy work that we undertake through our many and varied committees. Important work that helps shape debate about legal reform in our state, uphold the rule of law and ensure access to justice for all. Work that would not be possible without the contribution of the hundreds of solicitors who volunteer their expertise and time through the Society’s policy and regulatory committees.

Likewise, it is largely out of the goodwill of many in our profession that vulnerable people in our state can receive proper representation and the access to justice they require. One of my priorities this year will be to find ways to highlight this work, which often goes unnoticed. 

To that end, I would also like to warmly congratulate all members of the legal profession whose contribution to the law has been acknowledged in the Australia Day Honours. It is always gratifying when members of our profession are publicly recognised for the valuable work they undertake in the community.

Juliana Warner, President, the Law Society of NSW

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