QUTLS MC UPDATE

FROM THE MC

G’day QUT Law,

Ben, Crystal, Chelsea and Maggie here, aka the QUTLS Management Committee. It’s safe to say that 2020 has been a little different than what was envisioned when this year’s team started in December 2019.

As a collective, we’ve braved the worst natural disaster this country has ever seen, are currently living through a worldwide pandemic, and all the while have witnessed and taken part in enormous and historic social movements. On the educational and professional front, we’ve been impacted by the transition to online learning and working, the loss of employment, an extra-stressful clerkship process, and the alteration or cancellation of the usual events, programs and supports we’re accustomed to and rely on.

Despite all of this, you’re still here reading this; and we’re still here writing. Cheers to us.

Amid the unprecedented times, silver linings and opportunities have been surprisingly rife and the QUTLS Committee did our best to take advantage of these by providing valuable events, reimagined initiatives, and new supports to our members! You can read all about what we ran in each of the Director’s updates.

At an organisational level we’ve grown! The QUTLS now boasts almost 40 student volunteers, an expanded Diversity, Culture and Wellbeing Portfolio and we continue to enjoy our long standing partnerships with industry leaders as well as new law firms and professional organisations! We are very grateful for their support.

New Decades, New Horizons, New approach Our priority for operations in Semester 2 is the safety of our members and the wider community. As such we’ve implemented a COVID-19 policy aligned with the university’s and intend to hold many of our activities online. We’ll also have in-person events (with limited spots – so get in early!) for those keen to meet face-to-face. Where events are held in-person, relevant policies will be strictly implemented and, understandably, it’s worth noting that everything is subject to change. Whatever Sem 2 brings, the QUTLS is ready to tackle it with you.

Come along to our General Meeting at 4pm on Sunday 2 August 2020. All members are welcome to come and participate. There’ll be constitutional changes, new roles, and new procedures to make the QUTLS and our events more accessible and our shared university experience much richer. Lastly congratulations to those who graduated last semester – you may not have celebrated in the usual way, but your achievements go beyond the usual in every way!

Love and good vibes, Your T4.

ABOUT US

Ben is the QUTLS President and a third-year graduate-entry law student who has a keen interest in film, philosophy, social justice and dogs. He never drank coffee before starting his law degree. He can’t sing to save himself but claims to know all of the songs from the original Lion King.

Crystal is a 5th year Law and Business student majoring in accounting and is the Vice President of the QUTLS. As her degree draws to an end next year, she has migrated more towards law and is excited to continuing working within the commercial law sector. On the rare occasion you spot her at uni, she’s always down for a chat about QUTLS upcoming events, dogs and trash reality tv shows.

Chelsea is a 5th year Law and Business student who is charged with the governance and compliance of the Society as our Secretary. She has a flair for taking on challenges (like learning Mandarin during exam block) and a comprehensive list of experiences from Big W to Berlin. Reach out if you want to chat Constitution, Bylaws or Masterchef.

Maggie is the QUTLS Treasurer. She is a 4th year Law and Finance student who’s been in the QUTLS for a few years now. You’ll often find her in the lawbry with a coffee in hand or at networking events with a drink in hand, and always happy to have a chat!