www.firstnationstelegraph.com
Tony McAvoy QC makes history and promises much more
by Paul Richards 4 October 2015
M
r Tony McAvoy is now the first indigenous lawyer elevated to the status of Queen’s Counsel in the history of Australia. He was first admitted as a solicitor in Queensland in 1988. He was the second indigenous lawyer
Tony McAvoy. Image: Human Rights Commission
in the history of Queensland, the first being Ms Jacqui Payne, (who is now a respected magistrate). When a government is looking for an appointment as a judge or Royal Commissioner, it is from the pool of Queen’s Counsel that they draw. It is therefore the highest position that a barrister can reach.
It is the type of appointment that will only be made on merit and it is therefore, a great credit to Tony to achieve that recognition. A QC is the same as a SC (Senior Counsel) depending on which State laws apply. Tony has been successful at the private bar, achieving native title
Kullilli Native Title Determination in Thargomindah on 4 July 2014. Standing. Paul Richards (QSNTS lawyer), Applicants: Ron Watson, Paola Smith, Maxine Gooda (former applicant), Judy Conlon, Brenda Dynevor Fisher, Lizzy McAvoy, Stephen Hagan, Kayleen Pegler Hopkins, Peter White, Kullilli Barrister Tony McAvoy. Seated: Justice Logan. Image: Rhonda Hagan
Page 1
www.firstnationstelegraph.com
Tony McAvoy’s uncle Adrian Burragubba leading his dancers through the smoking ceremony at the Kullilli Native Title Determination ceremony in Thargomindah. Image: Rhonda Hagan
NOTICE OF IMAN PEOPLE NATIVE TITLE AUTHORISATION MEETING The Applicants of the Iman #2 Native Title Claim have called an authorisation meeting for the following purposes: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Approve a draft S87 or a S87A order for a Determination of Native Title over the Iman #2 native title claim. Authorise the Wardingarri Aboriginal Corporation to hold Native Title in Trust for the Iman #2 and be the Registered Prescribed Body Corporate. Authorise an ILUA with Ergon Energy over the Iman #2 claim area. Authorise the following ILUA’s with pastoralists (maps of the ILUA area will be available at the meeting): Name of ILUA Iman People/Comely and Mapala ILUA
5. 6.
Pastoralist Party Consolidated Pastoral Company Pty Limited ACN 010 080 654 Iman People/Coorada ILUA Brian John Atkins Eion Evan Atkins Iman People/Glenhaughton ILUA Avon Ross Hamilton Carol Hamilton Nathan Jay Hamilton Iman People/Glenleigh ILUA Patrick Robert Scott Joan Marjorie Cogill William Robert Cogill Kathleen Ann Harrison Iman People/Korcha ILUA Owen Arthur William Price Brigid Ann Price Arthur William Price Gail Lorraine Price Iman People/Woodine ILUA Andrew Douglas Simmons Tracey Robin Simmons Narelle Effie Simmons Authorise a further Native Title Claim over the shaded area of the Map contained in this notice and authorise Applicants to prosecute the new claim. Authorise compensation claims for native title that has been extinguished over the Iman #2 claim area and the area of the new claim.
The arrangements for the meeting are as follows: Date
31 October 2015
Time
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Venue: Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Conference Centre, cnr Yeppoon Road & Bruce Highway North Rockhampton Only the descendants of the following Iman ancestors will be entitled to participate in the meeting: Mary Arwa, Jim Waterton, Ada Robinson, Maggie Palmtree, Lizzie Palmtree, Eliza Shields, Mary Ann (mother of Maggie Dunn), Fanny Waddy/Sandy, Dick Bundi/Bundai and Alice Dutton and the mother of John Serico (known as Aggie). Travel Assistance Assistance with travel will be provided only to those who register by 4.00pm on Monday 19 October 2015. Persons who registered but did not attend the previous authorization meeting of 14 September 2013 will not be eligible for assistance on this occasion. Please Contact Kylie on 0458 781 504 or 0481 151 750 to register for the meeting. Registration is from 8:00 am.
Page 2
determinations for the Githabul, Quandamooka, Kalkadoon, Pitta Pitta and Barngarla people. He practices in Native Title, Administrative Law, Human Rights, Discrimination Law, Corporations Law and some criminal matters. The determination in favour of the Quandamooka people was a major milestone in native title in Queensland. Until then, the State had been proposing that there could be no native title, south of Townsville, therefore that case was the breakthrough. As a Kullilli man, he says that one of his proudest moments was appearing in the Federal Court at Thargomindah in south-west Queensland for the Kullilli Native Title Determination in July 2014. On that occasion, his family (including his children), performed traditional dance as part of the ceremony. Tony grew up the hard way, coming from a working-class family in a working class suburb and State School. Upon leaving school, he commenced employment as an articled law clerk, working while studying to get his degree. He worked with the Aboriginal Legal Service and has been involved in the aboriginal community throughout his working life. Tony has commented that he is a beneficiary of the Whitlam Governments’ policies of ‘free tertiary education’ and wage subsidies without which, the obstacles would have been even greater. I cannot help but express my joy at his success as I was privileged to be his Master in Articles as he completed his studies while working with my law firm which was closely associated with the Aboriginal Legal Service. I have therefore seen him progress from a scruffy teenager from Inala to a mature, intelligent and highly respected member of the legal profession. I find myself imagining the wonderful things he is yet to do.