|
|
 |
 
Articles written by Legal Interns
As part of their obligations Interns are required to submit a report at the completion of their Internships. Here are a few examples from previous interns:
Summer 2009/10 |
 |
Click here to read an article written by Jake Blundell who was placed at the NTSCORP in Sydney, NSW. |
| |
|
| Summer 2007/08 |
|
Click here to read an article written by Catherine Gasgoine who placed at MG Corporation in Kununarra, WA. |
|
Click here to read an article written by Kerry Kennell who was placed at Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) in Canberra, ACT. |
|
Click here to read an article written by Shauna Kelly who was placed at the Goldfields Land and Sea Council (GLSC) in Kalgoorlie, WA. |
| Winter 2007 |
|
Click here to read an article written by Marianna Leishman. |
Quotes from Legal Interns
| Summer 2009/10 |
 |
“I think what I gained most, was an overall understanding of the processes and issues involved in Native Title, from the beginning stages of research, Future Acts and ongoing conservation/heritage programs. Central Desert has projects running at pretty much every stage of the process, so hearing about the entirety of the legal and anthropological process was beneficial.” |
|
“My internship at the Commission has been absolutely fantastic and I feel that I have benefited significantly from the opportunity to engage in such interesting, relevant and challenging work with such passionate and competent people. It has been wonderful to see how being a human rights lawyer is a realistic goal and that there a many ways in which this goal can be reached.” |
|
“I have no firm plans about where this experience will lead me - all I can say is that it has affirmed for me that I want to work alongside Indigenous communities and people. I have huge respect for the knowledge and skill of lawyers who work in the NT area - if I find I have the ability when I finally qualify I would jump at the chance to work in this area.” |
|
“My time in the Pilbara has taught me so much about the various challenges and aspects of Native Title work. The experience has definitely allowed me to walk away with greater knowledge, not just in my head but also in my heart.” |
|
“Overall, I was really happy with my internship experience. I feel like I did some worthwhile work at RA and I learned so much about how an NGO operates behind-the-scenes, and about some of the challenges involved in pursuing an aim as complex and controversial as 'reconciliation'.” |
|
“This experience has been extremely valuable for me. Although I didn't end up doing any work in native title, I have a much clearer idea of the issues faced by Indigenous people, particularly in the context of running an Aboriginal corporation.” |
|
“The program enabled me to live the life of a barrister for 5 weeks. I learnt from every aspect of this experience, from learning to juggle several tasks at once to the importance of drafting your own work.” |
|
“Native Title bodies are often underfunded and under-resourced. As a result there is always the potential for interns to be given a relatively high degree of autonomy in completing tasks given to them, and for these tasks to be quite important in the context of the work done by the organisation. The most challenging thing about the internship (the sense of being thrown in the deep end) is also the most rewarding aspect. When an important task is completed there is a great sense of satisfaction at having been useful in some way” |
|
“One thing that I have really enjoyed about my placement is being able to spend time with like-minded people and to talk to them about issues that I am passionate about. I am completing a major in Australian Indigenous Studies in my Arts degree and it feels wonderful to be able to talk to the solicitors about the things I have been studying over the last four years.” |
| Winter 2009 |
|
“This experience is one of the best things I have ever done. I managed to achieve several things along the way, some expected – such as hands on learning about an unfamiliar area of law; and some unexpected, such as realising a lot about myself, personally and professionally.” |
|
“I have struggled to explain the experience that was my Aurora Project Internships. This is because, as with any life experience, some things are indescribable. Some things you need to just get out there and experience yourself; no-one’s second hand description will ever be good enough. Therefore, I urge you to get out there and have your own Aurora Internship experience; it truly is life changing.” |
|
“I just wanted to thank you for allowing me to do an Aurora internship at Windeyer Chambers. This has been an absolutely amazing and life changing experience. I have met some wonderful people, and found an area of law which is both hugely academically interesting and socially important.
The combination of my experiences gave me invaluable insights into the working process of barristers in the Native Title area, from initial briefing and preliminary advice stage right through to trial preparation. I particularly enjoyed the great variety of my work, and the challenge of being able to juggle the different requirements involved.” |
|
“Thanks so much for placing me at CYLC, I don’t think I have ever learnt so much in such a short period. Interning here has been an immensely rewarding experience and I intend to encourage other ANU students to apply to intern here!”
|
|
“I have been impressed by the passion and dedication of staff; challenged by the work entrusted to me; and encouraged by the vision of the CLC. That said, I’m under no illusions about the gravity of issues affecting indigenous peoples throughout the CLC region and elsewhere. Increasingly I get the sense that this internship has provided the impetus for greater engagement with these issues.“
|
|
“I have probably learnt more here in four weeks that I would have in four months at university. It seems almost unbelievable that I would have willingly spent thousands of dollars on an education that I could have picked up in a public library of repute.
However, I am glad that my first legal internship was at NSWALC because my experience here has renewed my resolve that I will not end up dreaming of billing clients in my sleep but will rather do something worthwhile with my time.” |
|
“I feel very privileged to have been given the opportunity to work with the staff at NTSV, and meet some of their claimant group members. I have enjoyed having the chance to witness their passion effecting positive Native Title outcomes.” |
|
“My internship at AIATSIS has been incredibly rewarding, informative, and thought provoking. While university studies in Native Title were useful in sparking my interest in the area, it wasn't until I had direct experience in the Native Title Research Unit that I have started to appreciate its complexities and importance. Having said that, I'm sure I have only skimmed the tip of the iceberg and am definitely interested in further work in Native Title. As I have mentioned previously, one major outcome of my internship has been a much stronger (and better informed) interest in community-based Native Title work, which was largely inspired by the people I met at AIATSIS and hearing about their experiences.” |
|
“Overall my time at PIAC has been fantastic. The matters I have had the opportunity to work have been were interesting and engaging. My supervisor and everyone at PIAC has been warm and encouraging. It has led me to seriously consider a career not only in public law but in public interest potentially in native title or other Indigenous justice issues.” |
| Summer 2008/09 |
|
“In the past I have been involved in volunteering experiences that have placed me in new and challenging environments. I have taken many lessons and memories from those experiences. However, in terms of direction and vision my time at the Commission has had the most significant impact. Here, I was working with people who I looked at in admiration for the journeys they have taken and the work they were dedicated to each day; observing that there can be a career path in human rights, that it does yield tangible outcomes and is not just a lofty concept. The placement at the Commission has been a formative and illuminating experience. I feel privileged to have had this opportunity. It is difficult to fully convey the value of this experience, but I can say that it was priceless. I encourage law students to apply for an internship with the Aurora Project.” |
|
“I have struggled to explain the experience that was my Aurora Project Internships. This is because, as with any life experience, some things are indescribable. Some things you need to just get out there and experience yourself; no-one’s second hand description will ever be good enough. Therefore, I urge you to get out there and have your own Aurora Internship experience; it truly is life changing.” |
|
“It has been really stimulating for me to work in a different area of law and environment, dealing with a different class of clients and lawyers and for me personally the chance to assist in some small way towards greater recognition of Cape York people is very satisfying.” |
|
“My internship at Yamatji has provided so much food for thought it is impossible to summarise it all here. I have learnt a great deal about native title and I feel privileged to have been able to share what I feel like is a journey with these people I have never met. I can certainly see why a determination would be such a momentous and moving occasion. I am developing a keen interest for the work and an understanding of the great privilege it would be to work more closely with an aboriginal group going through this most difficult of processes. I am also becoming very aware of the need to commit to the work and remain in the negotiations for the long haul if possible to develop better trust, a better working relationship and ultimately hopefully better and more self-determined outcomes for clients that do it pretty tough. The length of time of the placement couldn’t have been better. Six weeks was the perfect amount of time to find your feet and really come to appreciate the nature of native title work. It was in the last week there that I think I really became attached to the work and the NTRB.”
|
|
“My six weeks here have been a blast. The Aurora project is by far one of the best legal experiences a law student could hope for and I would recommend it to anyone else. My barrister mentor heard about the news of my employment contract with PIAC and she told me she could never be any happier. I now feel a great sense of accomplishment here but this is only the beginning. I truly hope to now start running up my path to greater heights of knowledge and success and I know that the Aurora Project is the first step on that path.”
|
|
“I had expected to be conducting research in terms of policy and legislation as a part of my internship in the native title unit at the Australian Human Rights Commission. These expectations were met and surpassed as I was given the responsibility to draft and write submissions that the Commission were contributing to legislative reviews. Being able to draft and write these submissions was a steep learning curve as I had no experience in these fields. However, I am extremely grateful for this learning opportunity as it made me think about the ways in which law, social policy and indigenous rights and culture interplay.” |
|
“The most rewarding aspect was feeling that I was being genuinely helpful, even if only in a small way. The more I learnt about the Sea Claim and the traditional owners, the more proud I was to be involved. As well as that, meeting traditional owners and learning more about the customs and traditions in the area was incredibly rewarding - and being a city boy, being wholeheartedly welcomed into a small, remote community where most people know each other (particularly on Horn Island) was an unexpected but very rewarding side effect of going up.” |
|
“The overall experience was a wonderful learning experience for me. The opportunity to experience the issues facing native title holders, gain detailed knowledge of the workings of an Aboriginal corporation and experience the richness of traditional culture exceeded my wildest expectations in a much broader sense. The most rewarding aspects were the opportunities to participate in the meetings with the members of MG Corp- the native title holders. It felt like an extraordinary honour to be able to experience quite different ways of decision making and resolving differences and to get brief glimpses into traditional law and culture. I was constantly struck by the richness of the culture, the care and thoughtfulness that went into all decision making and the depth and complexity of traditional knowledge. The capacity of the communities to understand quite complex western legal concepts and make sense of them in everyday terms challenged my assumptions about the necessity of a western education. The internship program provided an extraordinary opportunity for me to experience the reality and the intensity of issues facing Indigenous Australians and to work alongside committed and passionate people working in the area. From a legal perspective, the reality of practice helped make sense of theory. It took me outside my comfort zone, challenged my thinking and assumptions and provided wonderful opportunities for learning, often in unexpected ways.” |
| Winter 2008 |
|
"I undertook a 6 week placement at South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC) during winter 2008. I was then offered a 6 month locum position as a full time law clerk and eagerly accepted. My time at SWALSC has certainly been a positive one and has encouraged me to seek further employment in a Native Title Representative Body. The experience I have gained is not limited to simply native title law, and many skills I gained working at SWALSC would be transferable to any other area." |
|
"On a personal note, I have found this to be a worthwhile and inspiring time. I have particularly enjoyed the work that I did at the NLC and I would like to work towards having the skills that would allow me to work in a Native Title Representative Body in the future." |
|
"I have really enjoyed the task that I have been given and just being a part of the NTRU at AIATSIS for a short period has inspired me to look into possible work opportunities in this area in the future. I also feel like this has been a great learning experience and will be excellent practice for honours next year." |
|
"After completing a second internship at CYI, again my expectations of the internship experience were exceeded. To work in an environment of intelligent, motivated and interesting people is undoubtedly the best aspect of the internship. For any student with even a passing interest in Indigenous Affairs - the arguments, discussions and conversations that one has with other employee's throughout the working week are incredibly rewarding." |
|
"I won’t ever forget my internship with Yamatji in their Geraldton office. It challenged me, introduced me to people and families and cultures I’d never engaged with before, and showed me some beautiful country. Most of all, it made me realise how much more lawyers and our legal system must do to empower indigenous traditional owners." |
|
"The internship programme offers a specialised insight into indigenous law and policy, giving interns the opportunity to fully involve themselves in this valuable sector with the view to attracting them to careers in this under-resourced field. I truly enjoyed the time at PIAC and am most grateful to the Aurora Project for their assistance during the placement." |
|
" I have long wanted to work in a native title body, and saw this short-term internship placement as a great opportunity to "test the waters" so that I could make an informed decision about my future, particularly whether I should pursue Indigenous affairs through working in a NTRB. It is no exaggeration that my Aurora placement at NTSCORP has been one of the most inspiring, eye-opening and rewarding experience of my life! It was brilliant to use my academic training to help improve the lives of Indigenous peoples." |
|
"The most rewarding aspect of my time at Reconciliation Australia was being involved in current issues and feeling my work was having a present and real use. Seeing how policy is developed and influenced was eye opening, especially regarding Indigenous issues. I encourage anyone interested in Indigenous issues and social justice to apply for the Aurora Project Internship, you really won’t regret it." |
| Summer 2007/08 |
|
“As a young Torres Strait Islander woman, I had been interested in native title for some time. I had been looking for an opportunity to gain more knowledge and experience in the field in the hope that some day I could give back to my people. This internship was my opportunity to get back into the real world and see what opportunities exist for me. Working as an intern at AIATSIS is not only a valuable experience for my career, but also a personal achievement. As a Torres Strait Islander descendant, it was mind opening to learn more about the system of native title. I now have a better understanding of the challenges that lie ahead should I choose to pursue a career in native title.” |
|
“My experience here has been life-changing and I really feel like my heart is here in the Torres Strait. I really love the lifestyle and the genuine people that I live and work with. I feel very lucky to have had this opportunity. I have certainly settled into life here in the Torres Strait - I love every minute of it! One of the best aspects of the internship experience is the feeling that you are finally doing what you have wanted to do for a very long time." |
|
“I absolutely loved my internship - [my supervisors] were extremely kind and generous in taking me into their chambers and showing me the life of a barrister - they were fantastic mentors who have really helped to shape my career aspirations as a lawyer. I learnt a lot about native title law - my placement was interesting because working with barristers that specialise in native title means that you could find yourself working for representative bodies as well as government departments. It was a fantastic vantage point to learn about native title claims. My desire to work in the area of native title is stronger than ever - although I can definitely see the value of experience in alternative areas of law to ensure that the work undertaken in native title is of the value and quality that it should be.“ |
| Winter 2005 |
|
"I [had] the opportunity to attend numerous and varied court proceedings both in the Supreme Court and the Federal Court. I also had the opportunity to fly to remote parts of Australia in what proved to be a thought-provoking exercise and a good example of the difficulties NTRB lawyers are sometimes faced with when obtaining instructions from their clients.The trip also provided me with the material I needed to form a research topic for the paper I intend to write for the Legal Internship/Advanced Legal Research component of my law degree." |
|
"The experience has allowed me to appreciate the logistical issues that are inherent within native title work. Long distances from other communities and services, lack of funding for the sector and a legal team with few fully qualified solicitors makes for a challenging work environment. However, in light of these considerations, the atmosphere was always filled with vigour, determination and an enthusiasm to seek justice through land claims... it was exhilarating to be part of a process that engages clients throughout the legal process, to hear their stories, and learn invaluable lessons from elders." |
|
"As a result of my experience, I am now more enthusiastic about working as a native title lawyer in the future. The placement has illuminated important areas of skill such as people and communication skills, flexibility when dealing with ever-changing pressures and circumstances and the vital importance of cultural awareness and cultural sensitivity. I came to the conclusion that these skills are almost on a par with a good knowledge of native title law and good legal skills... For these reasons the placement has cemented my desire to work in this area of the law and it has provided me with contacts in the field and a taste of what a career in native title might include. I would not hesitate to recommend the program to other students as a thoroughly worthwhile, exciting and beneficial life experience or career step. " |
|
"It [the placement] surpassed my expectations in terms of providing challenging and fulfilling research and working with counsel on cases. I felt right in the thick of the Land Council's highest priority native title case. The solicitors did a fantastic job in bringing me up to date with their cases and making me feel as though I were part of the team." |
|
|
