MEDIA RELEASE
under embargo until 10 pm, 1 October 2009
Law and Justice Foundation of NSW
TEL
02 9221 3900
Level 14, 130 Pitt Street
FAX
02 9221 6280
SYDNEY NSW 2000
TTY
02 9223 4229
GPO Box 4264
WEB
Sydney NSW 2001
EMAIL
lf@lawfoundation.net.au
AUSTRALIA
ABN
54 227 668 981
1 October 2009
Justice the real winner at Awards
The 2009 Justice Awards were presented by the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW at the
annual Justice Awards dinner at Parliament House, Sydney on 1 October. In their 11th year, the
Justice Awards recognize the contributions everyday people are making to improve access to
justice in NSW, especially for disadvantaged people. The winners of this year’s awards are:
Justice Medal: Dr Eileen Baldry
The Justice Medal is the pre-eminent Award for outstanding individual achievement in improving
access to justice especially for socially and economically disadvantaged people.
Dr Baldry is an academic and activist who has made a major contribution to improving access to
justice for prisoners and people in the criminal justice system with mental disorders and cognitive
disabilities. Her work informs government policy development. She is generous in sharing her
knowledge and indefatigable in her support of many justice-related committees and causes. As a
colleague said: “It doesn’t matter where you go or what you do in the field of criminal justice, she is
either there or has been there.”
Aboriginal Justice Award: has been awarded to the 12 Aboriginal elders and community
representatives who have committed so much to bring their cultural knowledge and wisdom to the
successful pilot of circle sentencing, through which better understanding and respect between the
court and community is building.
Pro Bono Partnership Award: has been awarded to Mills Oakley Lawyers and the Salvation
Army, Auburn for their partnership aimed at providing free legal advice and representation for
marginalised people in Western Sydney.
Law and Justice Volunteer Award: has been awarded to the Southern Women’s Group, who
have made a real difference over 20 years to the lives of women and children on the South Coast,
especially those who are victims of domestic violence.
Law Society President’s Award: This award recognises the outstanding commitment to pro bono
work by Mr Oleh Suchowersky of Northern Suburbs Lawyers.
Community Legal Centres NSW Award: has been awarded to a group of organisations that, in
partnership, provides regular free legal advice and workshops at three women’s correctional
facilities in Sydney. The partners in this Legal Education and Advice in Prison for Women Project
are the Women’s Legal Services NSW, Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre and
Hawkesbury Nepean Community Legal Centre.
LIAC Centre of Excellence Award: Auburn City Library and Coffs Harbour City Library for their
engaging and well-attended Law Week programs.
The full text of the 2009 Law and Justice Address by the Hon Murray Gleeson AM is available on
the Foundation website.
Media enquiries: Richard Wood, 02 8227 3207, or 0431 863 987
NEWS 
