Winners announced for 2021 Jack Cranstoun Scholarships

Five bright young Queenslanders have been awarded a special Queensland Government scholarship providing mediation training valued at over $16,700.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman said the scholarship was a valuable opportunity for recipients to sharpen their skills in the art of mediation and dispute resolution.

“Jack was a much-loved and talented mediator with the Department of Justice and Attorney-General who sadly lost his life in 2014,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Mr Cranstoun’s colleagues recognised that offering these opportunities to young people in his name would be a fitting tribute for someone who was a bright and talented problem solver in his own right.

“Mediators provide an invaluable service to the community, helping people resolve their differences without the need to go to court.

“Applicants for the scholarship were assessed for merit and interviewed by a panel regarding relevant criteria as well as their passion for mediation.

“Due to the field of applicants demonstrating considerable merit, a decision was made to award scholarships to five recipients this year.

“Our award winners will be trained by experienced mediators from Queensland’s Dispute Resolution Branch and will have the opportunity to be assessed for National Mediator Accreditation.”

The worthy recipients of this year’s scholarship were Fiona Albert from Murgon, Heather Worthing from Brisbane, Julia Horan from Currumbin, Amiel Nubaha from Murgon, and Madeline King from Brisbane.

Scholarship recipients are trained in two interactive courses:

• Mediation level 1 – Introduction to mediation skills
• Mediation level 2 – Development of mediation skills and accreditation assessment.

Minister Fentiman said Queensland’s dispute resolution sector had a bright future after witnessing the passion and prior experience of the scholarship applicants.

“They include a former river ranger seeking to foster co-existence between diverse water users, a former refugee with conflict experience seeking to assist disadvantaged and migrant members of the community, and those in our legal sector trying to provide better outcomes for families in their region,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Those who applied had a diverse range of experiences and backgrounds but shared the ambition to not only improve their skills but use them to help those around them.”

Recipients of the seventh annual Jack Cranstoun Memorial Scholarship were presented with their mediation training scholarships at a ceremony at the Brisbane Supreme Court library today.

Further information about mediation training and the Dispute Resolution Branch can be found at www.qld.gov.au/mediation.

About the 2021 scholarship holders:

Heather Worthing (open category): The fitness consultant and law intern with dedicated telelaw platform Law on Earth is currently undertaking a Juris Doctor degree, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Linguistics and has previously worked in America as a River Ranger.                                               

Fiona Albert (regional category): The practising solicitor provides legal advice, representation and pro-bono and conflict resolution support for disadvantaged segments of the South Burnett community, in particular young women’s networks and disadvantaged families, and is an Olympian and Australian University Sport Female Athlete of the Year.

Julia Horan (open category): The Complex Case Support Manager with the Department of Education has a driven approach to supporting vulnerable students, holds a Bachelor of Laws and Creative Industries and has provided volunteer services with Street Cred, Surf Life Saving, and Sea Shepard, as well as working with young children for charity organisations in Cambodia.

Amiel Nubaha (regional category): The Youth Justice Convenor currently facilitates peacebuilding within CALD communities and supports young people with challenging behaviours. He has a very personal understanding of serious conflict and the impacts of intergenerational trauma and has volunteered extensively with organisations including:  Initiatives of Change Australia; QPASTT (Queensland Program of Assistance for Survivors of Torture and Trauma); and Multicultural Australia. Mr Nubaha is also a former President of the Rwandan Association of Queensland.

Madeline King (DJAG category): The admitted solicitor is a senor legal officer with the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal and has undertaken volunteer work with the Nundah Neighbourhood Centre and Community Legal Service, is currently undertaking a Masters of Law, majoring in Dispute Resolution and has been involved in the International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition.

ENDS

Media Contact:                      Inga Williams              0439 949 719