Pre-Law graduate walks in father’s footsteps
A teenager who enrolled in the same life changing legal program 24 years after her father is one of this year’s graduates of Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) First Nations Pre-Law Program.
Larrakia and Anmatjerre woman Aaliyah Rawnsley, 17, is among 20 students who graduated from this year’s program. She was encouraged to enrol by her father John, who completed the program in 1999.
She said the program offered valuable insight into studying law.
“I know a lot more about university now and (the program) is a good pathway to beginning uni,” she said.
“It's really good to be informed about university and learn more about it before you get into it.”
Aaliyah has since enrolled to study a Bachelor of Laws at CDU and has an interest in criminal and family law.
Her father John was beaming with pride as he watched his daughter and her classmates graduate from the program. The Pre-Law alumnus went on to study a combined Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies at CDU. He’s since had an extensive legal career in the Territory, including at the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency.
“This is a proud moment to see my daughter go through the same program,” he said.
“Its important young people follow their interests and are provided with opportunities to learn more about what it's like in an environment where they connect back into community and be able to connect with others that they can relate to and work with.”
The program attracted students from across the NT and Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales. The farthest student travelled from Coconut Island in the Torres Strait.
CDU Pre-Law Program Coordinator Susan Bird congratulated the students on their achievement and said of the 20 who graduated, 16 had so far applied to study law at the university.
“I felt incredibly proud to see such a large and very determined group of First Nations students participate in the pre-programs. I know these students will go a long way,” Dr Bird said.