The Women’s Legal Service
Recently, I was invited to attend an art exhibition in Brisbane’s West End - Studio 13, to be precise. Like some, I would not classify myself as a connoisseur of the arts - suffice to say, I know what I like. And I liked this exhibition! But more about that later.
The iAM Art exhibition was the brainchild of the Women’s Legal Service of Queensland, hoping to source much-needed funding to continue their important and very necessary work.
I sat down and spoke with Phillipa Carr, a lawyer who has spent many years dispensing legal advice to women throughout Queensland, to discuss the Service and its aspirations for longevity in what is a difficult but improving economic climate.
The Women’s Legal Service is a specialist community legal centre run by women for women. It provides free legal information, advice, support and referrals throughout Queensland. And is staffed by some 100 lawyers - some paid, others impart their knowledge on a voluntary basis. The organisation does not undertake court representation.
Since its inception in 1984, the Women’s Legal Service estimates to have assisted roughly 4,000 people per year, which equates to some 100,000 in the 25 years that the organisation has been in existence. These are impressive numbers but sadly, not one to celebrate, given the fact that many callers are usually the victims of domestic violence or some other kind of abuse.
Based in Annerley, on Brisbane’s south side, the office has enough funding to man two phone lines. Clients seeking advice are encouraged to be patient and continually hit the ‘redial’ button if they wish to speak with a lawyer. Such is the desperation of some callers that often the long wait is not such an inconvenience.
The lack of funding is a major obstacle to providing a service that is in great demand. If you would able to help, and wish to know more about the Women’s Legal Service of Queensland, I encourage you to visit: www.wlsq.org.au
The iAM Art exhibition itself featured both established and up-and-coming artists such as Karla Marchesi, a graduate of the Queensland College of Art; Wendy Sharpe, Archibald Prize winner whose exhibits hang at the Australian Embassy in Paris; and Elizabeth Lamont, whose charcoal piece ‘Costume and memory (innocence)’ depicting two toddler’s gowns, in my opinion, was the showpiece of the exhibition.
The exhibition raised more than $16 000; an excellent outcome for a first-time effort.
On the day of my visit to Studio 13, a young musician - Shadi Toloui-Wallace - was performing songs from her album ‘Leather Bound Book’; well worth a listen if you ever come across this singer/songwriter around Brisbane’s burgeoning entertainment precincts.
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