West Australia’s first Indigenous Supreme Court judge urged law graduates from The University of Western Australia to take on cases that will have ‘lasting impact’ and embrace public service and pro bono work.

Justice Michael Lundberg, a UWA graduate and son of a Stolen Generation woman, addressed the Law School students at their graduation ceremony last week and acknowledged those who also came from minority backgrounds.

“Your journey has no doubt had its special challenges and, like those from other minority groups, you will bear an additional burden in your career – a burden which comes with a spotlight on your conduct and your achievements,” Justice Lundberg said.

Image: Justice Michael Lundberg with a UWA graduate.

”The challenge you have is to mould your actions from this point on, to ensure you respect the gift of this qualification, to acquit yourself well over the coming years and achieve things that will resonate with those you respect.

“Be the one who embraces public service.  Ask yourself whether the law as presented, operative as it may have been for years or decades, is valid and lawful.”

The University invites inspiring people, who have excelled in their fields, to speak to graduates.

Other invited speakers include Simone Harrington, a Provisional Psychologist, Student Representative for the Australian Indigenous Psychologists' Association, 2020 Premier’s Science Award for the Shell Aboriginal Student of the Year winner and 2022 NAIDOC Perth Education Achievement Award winner. 

Dr Demelza Ireland, a Biomedical Scientist with a research background in women's health and immunology and Head of Discipline at the UWA School of Biomedical Sciences spoke to science and medical graduates and Dr Cassandra Host, a General Practitioner addressed graduates from the Medical School, Dental School and Graduate Research School. 

Other speakers were Dr Julian Boo, Director of Life Active Podiatry; Anish Badgeri, a secondary teacher from Perth Modern School; Rebecca Moore, - WA Government Architect; Rebecca Johnston, Johnston Wheeler Legal Practice Director; Tim Ungar, TSA Group Chairman; I-Lyn Loo, Wheatbelt Development Commission Director of Regional Development; and  UWA Professor of Environmental Engineering, Anas Ghadouani.