TOMMY LOPAU

HUMANS OF LAWBRY FEATURING TOMMY LOPAU

LAW & SOCIETY What I love or what I find fascinating about establishing ‘order’ is how the law puts rules on society. I like how it provides a structure for the people to live, and I know that might sound a bit weird, but I don’t know, I just think it is fascinating how they design laws and ‘what the purpose’ might be for certain laws.

What I love about studying law is that - knowing the law gives you the power to control your own legal affairs which is an integral part of everyone’s life. Everyone and everything is compelled by law. So knowing how the law works or being familiar with it; is really useful in everyday life and in helping others who are facing legal troubles.

STUDYING LAW

I’d say I have a very safe approach to education (studying) in general. Even in high school I always thought of, you know, ‘be scared of year 11’ and then ‘be scared of year 12’ because I just thought it was a new year level, I needed to prepare myself. I can’t be cocky towards anything that comes because you don’t want to underestimate anything. Thankfully I haven’t been like that with law school.

I also like to never underestimate a subject because it is always good to walk away from a subject with a 7 thinking you could only get a 4. I just like to play it safe I guess. Law also takes a toll on you mentally and physically. I actually joined the gym last year to get active. I think there’s also a positive to your mental health that you gain from working out. I’ve engaged a lot more in movements and sports. I’ve reconnected with volleyball. I dance a lot now, and I go to the gym. But I think it also really helps with my mental health. Law has been really stressful, but I think for me, I always have that attitude of ‘being scared’ of the next subject and not being confident in myself. But I’ve learnt over the years that I am capable of anything if I put my mind and time to it.

PACIFIC ISLANDER ROOTS AND COMMUNITY

I have so much pride in my culture; I’m so proud to be Samoan. I’m so proud to be an immigrant.

A lot of Samoan families can sympathise with my parents’ situation – they came to Australia with modest English, knowing little of the processes here. I would love to help my people in that situation, when I one day become a lawyer.

I think I’m in a great situation to help them, particularly in the legal field, but also as a mentor. I love to mentor young Pasifika students, inspire them, get them to think bigger than what they limit themselves to think or perceive themselves to be capable of.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY

Success to me means being a provider for my family. I love my parents so much, and I hope to draw a closer relationship to God as well. There was also an inspirational man in Samoa who led the movement to independence, and for me what I’ve gained from his life stories is - to always fight for your rights. Our Samoan heritage was something that was so dear to him, and it (the movement against colonisation) taught me to never allow myself to be bullied. Never settle for anything less than you deserve and to stand up for your people, your family and for others.

My parents had been very big role models in that regard; they have always been my heroes from day one.

Success to me is being a provider for my parents, for my family, and to allow them to live in their situation comfortably and to never go back.

Always move forward!

*This version has been editorialised. The original version can be found online at: https://qutlawsociety.com/humans-of-lawbry-tommy