Consumer Credit Legal Service (WA) Inc (CCLS) has been recognised for making a significant contribution to the McCusker Centre for Citizenship’s unique internship program for UWA students.
With more than 500 partner organisations participating in the program since 2016, CCLS was one of three organisations celebrated for their commitment to UWA student interns at the McCusker Centre for Citizenship’s end-of-year event today.
CCLS Acting CEO Roberta Grealish and Acting Principal Solicitor Rowan Kelly represented the organisation during the ceremony at UWA, and were presented with a certificate of appreciation by McCusker Charitable Foundation directors - the Honourable Malcolm McCusker AC CVO KC Chair of the McCusker Charitable Foundation, His Honour Judge Denis Reynolds, and Professor Tim Colmer, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor at UWA.
Roberta Grealish said that the support of the UWA student interns since the McCusker program commenced has contributed enormously to CCLS’s work in the community and to its clients.
“We are incredibly grateful to the McCusker Centre for Citizenship for inspiring and providing us with so many amazing student interns over the years. We have had student interns in a variety of different roles, from community legal education to social media and engagement to paralegals working on our Telephone Advice Line. The student interns are enthusiastic and dedicated, and have provided direct real world value to the community and clients we serve. They have allowed us to extend both the breadth and depth of our service,” Ms Grealish said.
“We look forward to continuing our relationship in the many years to come.”
CCLS provides free and confidential legal advice on credit, debt and consumer law issues through a telephone advice line and legal representation for people in vulnerable and disadvantaged situations, as well as providing community legal education and advocating for law reform. Through their internship roles with the McCusker Centre for Citizenship’s program, CCLS provides UWA students with opportunities to learn about community legal services and issues while contributing to projects that make a meaningful difference.
Along with Consumer Credit Legal Service, the Department of Communities and Zonta House Refuge Association were recognised for their consistent involvement in the program and their commitment to giving UWA students opportunities to gain experience in professional settings while making a meaningful contribution to projects that have a positive social impact.
Since starting with a handful of internships in 2016, the McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship program has facilitated more than 3,600 internships with hosts in the not-for-profit and community, local government and public sectors.
Michelle Scott OAM, McCusker Chair of Citizenship at UWA, said that industry partnerships gave students a unique practical learning experience that also built up their motivation and capacity to act as responsible and caring citizens.
“Our partner organisations give students opportunities to put what they are learning at university into practise in a way that benefits the community, and 97% of students as well as their supervisors say they would recommend the program as a worthwhile experience,” Ms Scott said.
“Consumer Credit Legal Service staff have been an enriching and insightful part of a meaningful university degree for our students, and we are grateful to have their support for this unique program.”
Image: Professor Tim Colmer, Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor, UWA, His Honour Judge Denis Reynolds, The Hounourable Malcolm McCusker AC CVO KC CitWA, CCLS Acting CEO Roberta Grealish and Acting Principal Solicitor Rowan Kelly at a McCusker Centre for Citizenship Outstanding event on 10 October, 2024 at the University of Western Australia.