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Past Presidents' Messages

Following are messages from past Presidents of the Law Society as they appeared in the Law Society Journal and from the Opening of Law Term.

2012 - Justin Dowd

Opportunities and challenges for 2012 (February 2012) Engaging with the regions (March 2012) Thought leadership and member services (April 2012) Collegiality and practical support (May 2012) Towards better justice outcomes (June 2012)Concern for rule of law in PNG (July 2012)Unfairness in workers compensation (August 2012)
Law Society presses for change to new workers compensation regime (September 2012)Right to silence changes under scrutiny (October 2012)Global thinking on regulation (November 2012)Fulfilling our key roles in 2012 (December 2012)

2011 - Stuart Westgarth

Opening of Law Term Speech (January)Tackling the challenges of 2011 (February)Beyond the coming elections (March)Election law reform commitments (April)A distinguished group (May)What's it all about? (June)Jurisdiction for all (July)The good far outweighs the bad (August)Broad powers needed to oversee Crime Commission (September)One step closer to national regulation but more work ahead (October)A step closer to sensible billing (November)A voice of influence (December)

2010 – Mary Macken

Opening of Law Term Speech (February)Responding to change (February)Contemporary challenges (March)Our lucky country (April)Season of hard work and harvest (May)Beyond boundaries (June)Time is of the essence (July)Time to focus (August)The rewards of robust debate (September)Batting for solicitors (October)Leadership of state and self (November)The universe is change...(December)

2009 – Joe Catanzariti

Opening of Law Term speech
Building for the future (February)
Priorities and directions for 2009 (March)
Our policy leadership (April)
Strengthening our regional focus (May)
Global and local developments (June)
125 years of service (July)
Gearing up for national reform (August)
Continuity and change (September)
Communicate and participate (October)
Ethical and professional practice (November)
A critical moment (December)

2008 – Hugh Macken

Spirit of Service (February)
Divisions to be bridged (March)
Striving for the best (April)
Honourable service (May)
Reform on the agenda (June)
Celebrating 70 years as a lawyer (July)
A powerful leader of change (August)
Recognition of solicitors' skills (September)
Reform should not lag (October)
Caution required in difficult times (November)
Ready for next year’s challenges (December)

2007 – Geoff Dunlevy

Speech at Opening of Law Term (January)
Representation and Collegiality (February)
The Law Council's Coming of Age (March)
Law Society Influences Parties - More Constructive Justice Policies (April)
Improving Benefits for Members (May)
Keeping the Black Dog at Bay (June)
Referral Hotline for Flood Victims (July)

2006 – June McPhie

Speech at Opening of Law Term (January) New federalism and the profession (February)
Law and order - (March)
Confidentiality guidelines (April)
Lock-’em-up approach is wrong ( May)
Landmark decision in our FOI case (June)

Prior to 2006

Messages from presidents prior to 2006 can be located in the Law Society Journal Archive (member or subscriber login required).

2005: John McIntyre
2004: Gordon Salier
2003: Robert Benjamin
2002: Kim Cull
2001: Nick Meagher
2000: John North