EVENT

The First 100 Years is an inspirational history project, supported by the Law Society of NSW and Women Lawyers Association of NSW, charting the journey of women in law since enactment of enabling legislation throughout Australia in the early 1900s. 2018 marks the centenary of the Women’s Legal Status Act 1918 (NSW) which paved the way for women to become lawyers for the first time in NSW, as well as allowing women to stand for the NSW Parliament.Women Lawyers Association New South Wales, in partnership with the Jessie Street National Women’s Library, is proud to present an evening with the Honourable Justice Virginia Bell AC and author Anne McLeod, examining the events that surrounded the passing of the Women’s Legal Status Act 1918 (NSW), and the remarkable story of Marie Byles, first female solicitor to practise in New South Wales.

SPEAKERS:
The Honourable Justice Virginia Bell AC was appointed to the High Court in February 2009. At the time of her appointment she was a judge of the New South Wales Court of Appeal. She graduated from the University of Sydney as a Bachelor of Laws in 1977. After seven years as a solicitor with the Redfern Legal Centre, she was admitted to the New South Wales Bar in 1984 and was appointed a Senior Counsel in 1997. Justice Bell practised as a public defender between 1986 and 1989 before returning to the private Bar. Between 1994 and 1997 she was a counsel assisting the Royal Commission into the New South Wales Police Service.
She served as president of the Australian Institute of Judicial Administration 2006 to 2008 and was Chair of the University of Wollongong Law Faculty Advisory Committee from 2007-2008. From 1998-1999, she served as a part-time Commissioner of the NSW Law Reform Commission. On 26 January 2012, Justice Bell was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for “eminent service to the judiciary and to the law through leadership in criminal law reform and public policy development, to judicial administration, and as an advocate for the economically and socially disadvantaged”.

Anne McLeod is the author of “The summit of her ambition: the spirited life of Marie Byles”, published in 2016. Her writing has been inspired by exceptional people who devoted themselves to protecting Australia’s natural heritage and through their activism, writing and photography, have educated Australians about its immense significance. She first discovered Marie Byles through reading a book she had written on Buddha’s life and teachings while in India. Anne was impressed to learn that Marie was also the first female solicitor to practise in New South Wales in 1924 and a pioneering feminist activist. Marie had a thirst for outdoor adventure as a bushwalker/mountaineer and was a dedicated environmentalist who employed her legal resources to reserve national parks. Anne’s presentation will be illustrated by Marie’s own photographs of her exceptional life and travels.

WLANSW & Jessie Street National Women’s Library Members $45pp/Non-Members $60pp (includes refreshments)
Please click here for the flyer & registration form or book online

Date/Time
Date(s) - 01/09/2024
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Location
Union University and Schools Club