The Sunshine Coast legal fraternity has raised significant funds to help disadvantaged members of the community get free legal advice when they need it.
More than 200 guests converged for the annual Suncoast Community Legal Service wine dinner at Venue 114 at Bokarina last week.
The event, hosted by leading Queensland compensation firm Travis Schultz and Partners, raised a record $50,000 for vulnerable people to access legal services.
The service, founded in 1984, celebrated its 40th anniversary this year.
As an independent community organisation, it serves as a first point of contact for free advice and referral services and it relies on the support and generosity of Sunshine Coast lawyers, volunteers and the public.
TSP managing partner Travis Schultz said this year’s fundraising and networking wine dinner garnered much-needed support.
“Thanks to the generosity of the guests, event sponsors, supporters and friends who have once again come together to help, we have now collectively raised $136,923 from this annual wine dinner over the last four years,” he said.
“We are grateful to the community and profession for their ongoing involvement to support the vital work of the SCLS, meaning more people can get help with their legal problems before the issue becomes overwhelming.
“Everyone in our community should have access to legal advice when they need it, and that’s why the Suncoast Community Legal Service is so important to the Sunshine Coast region.”
Each year SCLS has provided an average of 3000 free advice sessions to the local community, along with 2000 information activities and 18 community legal education opportunities.
President of the SCLS and former CEO of the Queensland Law Society Noela L’Estrange said the service relied on the support of partnerships, fundraisers and volunteers.
“The community is growing in numbers every year and, with it, so does the demand to help financially disadvantaged people with free legal advice,” she said.
“This year, being our 40th anniversary, is also a celebration of the 90-plus volunteers across the Coast who donate their time to those who can’t pay for their own legal advice.
“Our community of legal volunteers across the Sunshine Coast have given countless hours over the years to make justice accessible to all.
“Partners like Travis Schultz and Partners, and annual fundraisers like this event, raise funds that go toward our Community Lawyer Program.
“These programs run in seven locations across the Sunshine Coast including Maroochydore, Caloundra, Nambour, Noosa, Beerwah, Maleny, and Pomona.
“This work directly impacts the community’s resilience and wellbeing, and our biggest supporters in the legal fraternity understand this, and for that we are indebted.”
Outgoing Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson and Mayoress Lorrell Jamieson were welcomed for the second year, along with the Deputy Chief Magistrate Stephen Courtney.
The keynote address was delivered by Robyna May, an author and legal technology consultant, who spoke about the transformative impact of AI within the legal industry.
The audience was treated to a three-course meal and lessons in wine pairing by Garth Eather, with a selection of premium wines by Mareeba Park Wines.
Guests enjoyed an auction, led by Grant Smith, with five exclusive items, from luxury mountain escapes to golf experiences, which were donated by sponsors Coastline BMW, Toomey Family Law, SV Partners, Sunstate Jewellers and Meerea Park Wines.
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