Chief Justice’s Medal awarded to University of Melbourne law student

Melbourne Law School Juris Doctor student Kate Fitzgerald has been awarded the 2015 Chief Justice's Medal for Excellence and Community Service.

Administered by Victoria Law Foundation on behalf of the Honourable Chief Justice Marilyn Warren AC, the medal is awarded annually to one graduating Victorian law student who has demonstrated academic excellence in their legal studies and a commitment to community service.

‘In addition to her impressive academic results, Kate’s commitment to community service is outstanding,’ said Victoria Law Foundation’s Executive Director, Joh Kirby.

‘Kate has shown impressive initiative and an unwavering dedication to overcoming social disadvantage within the community.’

Kate commenced her volunteer work six years ago as a tutor in the Homework Club at the Flemington public housing flats. After witnessing the social disadvantage faced by girls in the flats, Kate, together with a fellow student, designed and delivered a program called SheCanCreate, which was targeted specifically for girls from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Developed in consultation with the local community, the program ran in 2012, and again in 2013, after Kate and her colleague secured several rounds of competitive grants funding.

In addition to running SheCanCreate and completing her law studies, Kate has also volunteered extensively with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre in Melbourne, the Jesuit Refugee Services in Cambodia and the Africa Middle East Refugees Assistance organisation in Cairo. Most recently, Kate accepted a graduate position in Bangkok to work with the Australia–Asia Program to Combat Trafficking in Persons.

For further information about the Chief Justice’s Medal, visit www.victorialawfoundation.org.au

Please direct media enquiries to Communications Manager:

Telephone: (03) 9604 8100

Email: contact@victorialawfoundation.org.au