Teela Takes Parliament
On March 16, the ‘NSW Parliamentary
Friends of Reconciliation Launch’ was held
at Parliament House. In 2016, the NSW
Parliamentary Friends of Reconciliation
re-established the Parliamentary Friends
group to focus solely on the reconciliation
and recognition of Indigenous Australians.
Teela explained that “a treaty is not simply an
option in NSW, it is absolutely necessary and it
must respect the right to self-determination of
Indigenous peoples.”
This is a major achievement for Teela, as a
UNSW and Nura Gili Alumni, who only recently
completed her Postgraduate Juris Doctor (JD) at
The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Leslie
UNSW. Whilst at UNSW, Teela managed to
Williams, invited Wiradjuri and Wailwan
accomplish a number of impressive
woman, Teela Reid, to speak at the launch and achievements during her studies. At the 2014
talk about what reconciliation means to her.
UNSW Indigenous Awards Night, Teela was
Teela had the opportunity to speak alongside
awarded the ‘Faculty of Law Spirit Award’ for
Australia’s first Indigenous silk, Tony McAvoy, in her commitment to her Legal Studies and the
front of a number of senior parliamentary
student body. She also won the Inaugural ‘NSW
figures, including the Premier of NSW, Mike
Indigenous Barrister’s Trust Award’ at the 2015
Baird.
UNSW Indigenous Awards Night. In that same
year Teela published an article in the Indigenous
Teela’s speech focused on the concept of
Law Bulletin on the Constitutional l Recognition
reconciliation and how the term has been used of Indigenous people.
regularly, yet very little has changed in regard
to the outcomes of Indigenous lives. She also
Teela also ran for Vice President (Social Justice)
spoke of the importance of creating
of the UNSW Law Society and became the first
conversation in regard to a treaty and how it
Aboriginal Law student to be elected into the
can assist in the redefinition of the relationships Society. Whilst running for Vice President, Teela
between both Indigenous people and “the power also acknowledged the generous staff at Nura
of this state.”
Gili, who helped her throughout both her
campaign and degree.
Teela described Nura Gili as a “home-based on
campus ... There was always a constant stream
of support and it made University that little bit
easier.”
“A treaty is not simply an
option in NSW, it is absolutely
necessary and it
must respect the right to
self-determination of Indigenous
peoples.”
Teela will graduate from UNSW in June, but
since completing her studies, she has been busy
working as a Tipstaff to the Honourable Justice
Lucy McCallum at the Supreme Court of NSW.
Teela’s role as a Tipstaff involves conducting
legal research, preparing the judge for court and
assisting in editing judgments. This position is
a great stepping-stone into the legal profession
for Teela, as it allows her to observe advocates
defending their clients in court every day and
consequently enables her to gain an understanding of what it takes to be both a smart and
strategic lawyer.
We wish Teela the best of luck with her
upcoming graduation and her future endeavours
outside of University!
Teela pictured alongside Jeni Engel from the UNSW Law Faculty, and fellow Law students Corey Smith and Aaron
Lowth at the 2014 UNSW Indigenous Awards Night
Date: 10th June
Location: Sydney Opera House
UNSW Indigenous Society goes to
Bangarra’s Community Night Production
of
“OUR Land People Stories”
18
Teela at the 2015
UNSW Indigenous
Awards Night
19
Ticket SPECIAL $15 by using promo code
“STORIES” at:
https://my.bangarra.com.au/single/SelectSeating.
aspx?p=368
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/
events/345279352263061/