University of Newcastle Launches Australian First Program, Allowing Refugees Early Access To Law Degrees

BY ISABEL EVERETT

The University of Newcastle has launched Australia’s first scheme to offer people from a refugee background the opportunity to gain early entry to study Law.

The Refugee Early Entry Scheme considers a person’s whole experience, including a range of measures beyond results at school or tertiary admission rank.

Successful applicants are accepted into the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Combined degree program before sitting their final Higher School Certificate (HSC) examinations, reducing the pressures associated with the transition to higher education. 

Associate Professor with Newcastle Law School, Amy Maguire, said people from refugee backgrounds had a range of diverse experiences to bring to legal study and practice.

“There are many people in our communities from refugee and migrant backgrounds who will benefit from legal representation by people who share lived experiences and cultural knowledge,” Associate Professor Maguire said.

“Widening participation is a core value at the University of Newcastle and we want to support motivated and talented students, regardless of their background or circumstances, who might not otherwise have gained access to our programs.

“Our whole Law School is enriched by the increasing diversity of our student body, so our early entry schemes really increase success for all.”

The sector-leading scheme is the Law School’s second offering in this space, following the establishment of the Indigenous Early Entry Scheme, which has admitted 20 Indigenous students into Law since commencing in 2017.

Indigenous students now comprise five per cent of the undergraduate Law cohort.

Gabby Hinchey, a proud Gamilaraay woman from Tamworth gained entry to Law via the Indigenous Early Entry Scheme and said it had been life changing. 

“I’ve always had my sights set on studying at the University of Newcastle so it was such a weight off my shoulders and a transformational moment to be accepted through the Early Entry Scheme,” Gabby said.

“To people considering applying for the Scheme, my advice is to go for it."

Newcastle Law School is inviting applications from eligible students currently preparing for their Higher School Certificate or enrolled in an enabling program at the University of Newcastle to apply for entry to the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Combined.  

Law student, Gabby Hinchey

Doors Smashed in 'Targeted' Attack on New Refugee Centre

BY BRIDGET GUNN

The operators of a new refugee centre in Jesmond have been shocked by an act of vandalism on the eve of their official opening today.

A brick was thrown through the glass pane doors of Zara's House on Monday.

Source: The Newcastle Herald

Zara's House is a support centre which will aim to help refugee women settle into Newcastle, and to nurture and facilitate the talents and cultures of the women.

Sister Diana Santleben, who is part of the team of refugees and partners opening Zara's House, was horrified by the display of violence, which staff members believe was intended as a message towards the refugees.

"It was five panels they smashed with this big brick," says Sister Santleben.

"We probably have to look seriously at finding information about getting a CCTV camera. If they come back again they are really determined to do something criminal, and the police will be quite interested in that."

Sister Santleben believes the attack will only make the community spirit within the refugee centre and the greater Newcastle area stronger.

"It makes the people of Newcastle stronger and we help each other even more than we were going to do in the past, so its probably, in a weird sort of a way, a good thing for the refugees."

With recovery of the centre underway, Zara's House will be officially opened today by Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.