Budding lndigenous lawyer wants to give back to her community Scholarly assistance

l CAIRNS CBD

|Nick

Dalton

NATIONAL law firm Holding Redlich has named Cairns Bachelor of Laws student Dionne Singleton as the inaugural recipient of its CQUniCares Indigenous law scholarship.

Ms Singleton is a descendant of the Kalkadoon people of Mount Isa and Jirrabal people of the Tablelands, with strong connections to the Yirrganydji people of Cairns through marriage.

She has worked in the legal industry for 15 years and hopes to use her law studies to give back to the community.

“Now I can buy my textbooks, and will also have the funds to purchase a laptop,” Ms Singleton said.

“I have always prioritised my children’s education, so now I can look forward to doing something for myself.

“I have worked in the legal industry for 15 years and I have always had an interest in helping people but felt limited by not having formal legal qualifications.

“Completing my bachelor’s degree at CQU will help me to take the next step in my career.”

The inaugural scholarship, sponsored by Holding Redlich, provides recognition and financial support to

Airline increases services

l AEROGLEN an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student studying a laws-related undergraduate course in North Queensland.

SINGAPORE Airlines has increased its weekly services between Cairns and Singapore from three to five.

The annual scholarship provides a $5000 contribution to support the completion of their degree.

Holding Redlich National managing partner Ian Robertson said the firm was “committed to investing in clearer pathways for First Nations law students.

“Partnering with Central Queensland University to offer this scholarship is just one step we are taking to support and work alongside First Nations law students,” he said.

Holding Redlich pro bono lawyer and First Nations advisor Nareeta Davis said the scholarship was instrumental in helping First Nations students enter the law profession.

“Beyond this scholarship’s financial contributions, we will continue to connect and engage with Dionne throughout her degree by checking in with her every term, welcoming her to the firm’s work and social events and providing study space at our offices,” she said.

CQUniversity head of course for law Dr Lance Rundle said the university and the school of business and law were “very proud to work in conjunction with Holding Redlich to launch this scholarship.”

A Cairns Airport spokeswoman said flights would operate on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with the B737-8 aircraft, bringing monthly capacity from 3800 seats to 6400.

“This increase will help to meet the growing demand of visitors travelling via Singapore from Europe and Asia,” she said.

“We hope they will return to their pre-COVID capacity of daily in 2024.”

An airline spokeswoman said the flights were being increased due to “continued high demand”.

“The additional twice-weekly services direct to Singapore operate from Cairns on Monday and Saturday,” she said.

“These additional two flights per week, operated by Boeing 737-8 aircraft, will add more than 16,000 seats per year into the city.

“We will continue to monitor demand for flights from Cairns and make adjustments to our schedule accordingly.”

Capital works of $16.7m

l MOSSMAN

DOUGLAS Shire Council ended the financial year in good shape with a $2.8 million surplus after a budgeted deficit of $666,000.

Operating revenue was ahead of budget by $3.3m to $56.5m and expenditure was under budget by $182,000.

Mayor Michael Kerr said in terms of infrastructure “we have allocated a significant portion of this budget to improve our roads, pedestrian paths, bridges.”

The $16.7m capital works program includes:

• Transport – $6.38m (Lees Bridge renewal $1.86m, road reseals $916,000, pavement renewal $1.05m)

• Water supply – $3.66m (Water mains upgrade $800,000, water treatment plant upgrades $776,000, Grant/Macrossan streets water mains ($300,000)

• Council and community facilities – $1.88m (Parks renewal program $574,000, Rex Smeal Park playground $500,000)

• Wastewater – $1.73m (Wastewater network renewal $214,000 and rising mains upgrade ($780,000)

• Resource management –$541,000 (Killaloe landfill $232,000)

• Plant and equipment –$996,000

• Drainage – $300,000

• Emergency works $225,000.