Townsville solicitor awarded mediation training scholarship

Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath has awarded four Queenslanders with scholarships to be trained in mediation with the Queensland Government’s Dispute Resolution Branch.

Among the four recipients of the Jack Cranstoun Scholarship is Townsville solicitor Michael Chang, who is hoping to help his clients resolve disputes more effectively.

Mr Chang said he was humbled and honoured to be selected.

“As a solicitor, being able to mediate issues for clients and their families is an important skill to possess,” he said.

“Working as a family law solicitor, the mediation course will provide an important foundation for me to undertake further mediation qualifications in relation to parenting disputes.

“I believe that mediation skills in family law matters are imperative to being able to assist parents, children and their families resolve their disputes.”

Mrs D’Ath awarded Mr Chang with his scholarship at a ceremony in Brisbane this week.

Mrs D’Ath said it was great to see these young people take an interest in mediation.

“Mediators provide an invaluable service for Queenslanders in helping to settle disputes,” she said.

“With a success rate of around 85 per cent, mediators save time, legal fees and court costs for the people involved – and the community at large – and help to free up the court system.”

The Scholarship was established by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General in 2015 in memory of Jack Cranstoun, who was a much-loved member of the Dispute Resolution Branch and who passed away in a surfing accident in 2014.

The scholarship is now in its third year and offers budding mediators with the opportunity to be trained in mediation with the Queensland Government’s Dispute Resolution Branch, and assessed for National Mediator Accreditation.

Dispute Resolution Training Manager Janet Barnes said the scholarship gave recipients the skills and knowledge needed to start their career in mediation, as well as providing a valuable networking opportunity.

“Through the scholarship, the participants will undertake two interactive mediation courses run by Dispute Resolution Branch mediators,” she said.

“The opportunity to work with experienced mediators in the Dispute Resolution Branch will be invaluable for these budding mediators.”

The other recipients of this year’s scholarship were Nathan Williams from Bundaberg, Julia Maurus from Cairns and Malia Naupoto from Brisbane.

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Media Contact: Pam Frost 0437 696 809