Monash University > News and Events > Monash Memo

Mentoring opportunities for Aboriginal law students

31 August 2005

The chair of the Aboriginal Committee of The Victorian Bar Mr Colin Golvan SC has visited Monash to speak to Law faculty staff and Indigenous students about the The Victorian Bar Aboriginal Law Students Mentoring Program.

Monash Law student Mr Matt Hansen (right) discusses The Victorian Bar Aboriginal Law Students Mentoring Program with Mr Golvan.

The program is available to Aboriginal law students in Victoria. It links students with practising barristers to encourage undergraduates to practise law upon graduation and consider a career as a barrister.

Mr Golvan said the program aimed to build the confidence of Indigenous law students and make them aware of the options available to them.

"The mentoring program is designed to introduce students to the Bar and dispel any misconceptions they may hold," Mr Golvan said.

"Aboriginal graduates typically go into government and communal legal positions - which are important roles - but we would also like to see more Aboriginal students become barristers, because it's an important springboard for senior positions in the legal profession, including judicial appointment."

Mr Golvan said the program assigned students to a barrister working in their area of interest.

"Students can join the program at any stage during their degree and all participants have been very enthusiastic about their experiences," he said.

"They are given the opportunity to work with barristers in and out of court and become familiar with the day-to-day work of a practising lawyer.

"Students can also use their mentor to assist with study issues and as a point of contact in the profession, helping to build valuable networks."

Monash Arts/Law student and program participant Mr Matt Hansen said the mentoring program was a valuable experience through which he was able to participate in court appearances.