2025 John Koowarta Reconciliation Law Scholarship
29 November 2024
The 2025 John Koowarta Reconciliation Law Scholarship was awarded to Queensland University of Technology student and proud Wiradjuri woman, Christine Conn during the Law Council of Australia’s Gala Dinner in Canberra tonight.
“The John Koowarta Scholarship provides financial assistance and the opportunity for mentoring to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander law student during their penultimate year of study,” Law Council of Australia President, Mr Greg McIntyre SC said.
Since its inception in 1994, the Scholarship has assisted over 35 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples complete their legal studies.
“Christine is a highly deserving recipient, and I look forward to the valuable contribution that I am confident she will go on to make to the legal profession,” Mr McIntyre said.
“Christine is the first member of her family to study at university and is undertaking a double degree. She has a strong interest in criminal law and plans to pursue a career that enables her to help people and ensure they are represented with understanding and compassion.”
In response to being named the 2025 recipient of the John Koowarta Scholarship, Ms Conn said, “To be awarded the 2025 John Koowarta Scholarship is an immense honour, not only for me but my family and community. This scholarship, and its namesake in John Koowarta, is a reflection of perseverance, overcoming adversity, and the pursuit of Blak Excellence. I am incredibly honoured to be associated with these values.
“This scholarship will be fundamental to my continuing ability to live so far from home to get the best education I can. I am so honoured to be considered for this scholarship and cannot thank the Law Council enough.”
The John Koowarta Reconciliation Law Scholarship commemorates John Koowarta, a member of the Winychanam community at Aurukun and a traditional owner of the Archer River region on Cape York Peninsula in Queensland.
Mr Koowarta challenged the Queensland Government under the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) after its decision to prevent the Aboriginal Land Fund from acquiring a crown lease on a pastoral property for the Winychanam people. The decision by the Bjelke-Peterson Government was based on cabinet policy at the time, which opposed ownership of large tracts of land by Aboriginal peoples. The Queensland Government challenged the validity of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) in the High Court and was defeated. The High Court’s decision was later pivotal in the recognition of native title in Mabo v Queensland (No.2).
Mr Koowarta was described by Robert Tickner, the former Commonwealth Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs (1991-96), as “an Australian hero who was a courageous fighter against Governments which discriminate against people on the basis of race.” John Koowarta died in 1991 without fulfilling his dream of seeing his traditional lands returned.
Contact
Kristen Connell
P. 0400 054 227
E. kristen.connell@lawcouncil.au
Last Updated on 09/12/2024
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