ILC Student Volunteer Program
The Student Volunteer Program was introduced end 2008 to enable law students gain a better understanding of contemporary Indigenous legal issues whilst building their skills base from activities undertaken within the Centre.  Students who actively take part in the program will have their contribution recognised on the UNSW Supplementary.   Combined with an academic transcript, the Supplementary Transcript provides a distinctive benefit to UNSW graduates by awarding official recognition to those leadership activities promoted under the UNSW banner that could be seen to enhance the development of graduate attributes. If you are keen to learn more about program please give us a call on 9385 2252 or email us at ilc@unsw.edu.au

The ILC particularly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to participate in our volunteer program.  We believe that working together is the best way to increase awareness of issues as they affect Indigenous people in contemporary society. 

Students can take advantage of the centre’s resources, and use the ILC as a platform to direct greater attention to those issues particularly relevant to their communities and organisations.  We hope that, by encouraging continual dialogue with student volunteers, we will promote an environment that respects the voices and concerns of young people. It is by learning from each other in this way that the ILC can strive always to respond to the values and concerns of Indigenous people living in Australia today.

Students can expect to be actively involved in:

1. Researching articles for the Indigenous Law Bulletin under supervision of the Editor
2. Assisting with organising an Open Forum for students around Indigenous issues (one each semester)
3. Helping to organise the annual conference run by the Indigenous
4. Researching articles under the supervision of Centre Director

Planned Student Forum Semester 1: 'Fitzroy Crossing alcohol restrictions'

22nd September this year, student volunteers at the ILC will be hosting a public forum at UNSW about alcohol restrictions in Indigenous communities. The forum will present Yajilarra, a documentary about a group of Indigenous women in Fitzroy Crossing, WA, who successfully campaigned to introduce alcohol restrictions in their town. After the screening, a panel of key speakers, including Maggie Brady from the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, ANU will discuss issues raised, as well as some broader questions about the challenges involved in balancing individual rights with the need for better health outcomes for Indigenous communities.  For further information email ilc@unsw.edu.au.

Comments from some of our volunteers:

Merinda Dutton (2nd year undergrad law)
The volunteer program at the Indigenous legal centre has been an invaluable experience, where i have been able to put my legal writing and research skills into practice in a work environment. It has also been an oppotunity to be involved in and make a contribution to the university community.

Peta MacGillivary
My name is Peta MacGillivray and I am a 4th year law student at UNSW. I moved to Sydney from Rockhampton QLD to undertake my combined Arts/Law degree and have had an amzing time in my studies so far. While the transition from home to uni was difficult, my success has a lot to do with the friends that I have made by getting involved in the University's and Law Faculty's campus life. The new connections that one makes in a pressured environmennt such as Uni can make all the difference in performance as well as enthusiam for studying, as it has for me. My interests in the law continue to expand and develop as I take on new challenges. My career goals include legal practice as well as research in the area of public and constitutional law as it affects Indigenous Australians.