SALRI visits Port Pirie and Port Augusta

On 15-16 July 2021, Adelaide Law School and the South Australian Law Reform Institute (SALRI) took part in a student engagement and SALRI consultation trip to Port Pirie and Port Augusta. 

Dr David Plater, Dr Mark ‘Matt’ Giancaspro, Nadia Hess, Brooke Washusen, Holly Nicholls and Anita Brunacci were joined by eight law students; Chloe Winter, Arissa Robles-Rangel, Christina Akele, Charlotte Ordynski, Izak Coombe, Jack Woolford, Mitchell Dunn and Cayleigh Stock. 

The law students engagement was funded by a Faculty of the Professions Learning Development Grant to encourage students to consider diverse careers and learn more about working in regional towns and with Aboriginal communities. These valuable career options are often sadly overlooked by law graduates.  

The trip proved a resounding success and SALRI, staff and students were made very welcome in both Port Pirie and Port Augusta. The students found it an amazing experience and they learnt more of the benefits and opportunities of regional legal work as well as working with Aboriginal communities.  

On 15 July 2021, we were hosted and made very welcome by the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement (ALRM) and Umeewarra Radio in Port Augusta. We heard from Charlie Jackson, other local elders and members of Aboriginal communities along with Rachel Lane and other lawyers from the ALRM. This was a powerful and invaluable session for both staff and students and our deep thanks to all involved. Chloe Winter, and Holly Nicholls were even able to take part in a program on Umeewarra Radio about working with Aboriginal communities.  

The day was capped off by an extended erudite dinner in Port Pirie with local lawyers Paul Boylan, Shelley Anderson, Pamela Badcock and John Voumard, the Hon Geoff Brock MP and Deputy Mayor Alan Zubrinich. Our thanks to Dean ‘Elvis’ Vegas of the Ellen Hotel for his hospitality. 

On 16 July, the students explored Port Pirie before meeting with the Hon Geoff Brock MP, State Member for Frome, to hear about working and living in Port Pirie. The students also had the opportunity to take part in an interview with the Port Augusta newspaper. Charlotte Ordynski and Brooke Washusen participated in an ABC Radio interview and Brooke was also interviewed on the local ‘Golden Oldies’ radio morning show.

The students were then kindly hosted by Paul Boylan and John Voumard, leading local lawyers, to learn more about the nature and breadth of regional and rural legal practice.

While the students learnt more about regional life and work, SALRI conducted various follow up consultation meetings with Aboriginal communities, service providers and local lawyers on its present reference into the role and operation of communication partners to help parties with complex communication needs in the legal process. These sessions were very helpful. The students were able to hear more about the role and ongoing work and regional consultation of SALRI.

Dr David Plater, SALRI Deputy Director said: ‘Our thanks to all who took part and supported this wonderful and very successful trip and a special thanks for the enthusiasm and commitment of the intrepid law students.’