Desire to make a difference

Standing in the Banco Court beneath Sally Gabori’s mural, Dibirdibi Country, was an experience that left Gunggari/Kunja woman Heather Ferris humbled.

The Queensland Law Society First Nations Legal Coordinator was one of more than 120 new lawyers who were admitted to the Supreme Court at Brisbane’s Banco Court on 10 December.

“The presence of the Honourable Judges and the powerful words of the Honourable Chief Justice Helen Bowskill gave the occasion a profound sense of meaning,” Heather said.

“What resonated most was knowing that this moment marked the beginning of a legacy my family and future generations could be proud of. Every late night of study, every detour, and every moment of doubt had led me here.

“As my name was called, I felt an immense sense of pride, and relief. I thought of my late father, who supported me through every stage of my studies and journey to admission. He would often tell people I was a lawyer long before I was, and I’d laugh and say, “Not yet!”. Well, I finally made it, Dad.

“I know he was standing beside me in spirit, filled with pride for what I have achieved. I looked over at my family, friends and colleagues in the gallery and the joy in their faces made every challenge worthwhile.

“The ceremony felt like both an ending and a beginning and it’s a moment I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.”

Heather said she decided to study law because she grew up seeing people in her community struggle with systems that felt overwhelming and almost like a foreign language.

“Legal jargon can be intimidating, and I wanted to learn the language so I could break down barriers and make the law accessible to those who might otherwise fall through the cracks,” she said.

“My grandmother was an Aboriginal elder and was the first in my family to graduate university in her 50s. She wrote a book (Many Lifetimes by Audrey Evans), which inspired me and many others to pursue a higher education.

“She played a big part in shaping who I am today. For a long time, a career in law felt fanciful, like a dream reserved for other people. But mentors along the way, including my colleagues at the Law Society, and Caxton Legal Centre, helped demystify what a career in the law could look like.

“They showed me that the law isn’t reserved for anyone special, but for those with passion, determination and desire to make a difference. I wouldn’t be where I am without their guidance and support.”   

Heather asked Ron Behlau, an active member of the QLS First Nations Consulting Committee, to move her admission as an important mentor throughout the admission process.

“Ron has a way of seeing your potential before you see it in yourself.” she said. “It was an honour and a privilege to have Ron move my admission and I’m very grateful for his mentorship and support.”

Ron, a Partner at Behlau Murakami Grant, said moving Heather’s admission marked the 186th admission of a First Nations solicitor to the Queensland profession.

“It gives me immense pleasure to know that in moving Heather’s admission, we have increased the proportion of First Nations solicitors in Queensland from 36 in 2018 to 186 today,” Ron said.

“Sadly, that still only represents 1.2 per cent of the total profession. I hope that Heather’s achievements inspire other First Nations students to achieve this goal and to go on to become valuable members of the profession. My goal in providing mentorship to Heather and others, is to increase this number year by year.

“Heather and I have worked alongside each other in the First Nations Consulting Committee at the Queensland Law Society for the past three years.

“She has been instrumental in her role as a First Nations Legal Co-ordinator for the QLS and I have seen first-hand her commitment to advocacy for First Nations peoples and promotion of cultural education with the profession. Mentoring Heather has been one of the privileges that accompany my role on the committee.”

Ron said Heather’s admission marked his involvement in the fourth admission ceremony for a First Nations solicitor.

“Two of those individuals have now gone on to be admitted to the Queensland Bar, being Mr Jackson of Counsel and Mr Creamer of Counsel. The last was Mr Apanui, who was also a QLS First Nations Cadet. Watching their careers blossom is something that I am extremely proud of and hope to continue to do for the next generation of First Nations lawyers,” he said.

Heather said she felt very privileged to join the profession.

“I hope to become the kind of lawyer who is compassionate, community-focused and resilient. I also hope to encourage more First Nations people to study law by helping to demystify the pathway, just as others did for me,” she said.

“Working at the Law Society has given me a deeper understanding of the broader impact lawyers can have through policy, advocacy and education.

“This experience has strengthened my commitment to driving meaningful change, and I’m excited to begin my new role as Policy Solicitor, where I can influence policies that support First Nations voices and contribute to initiatives that shape the profession and support our communities.

“As I continue on this path, knowing it will never be linear, I hope to become the kind of lawyer and mentor who helps someone else realise that their dream is possible too.”

QLS Corporate Secretary Louise Pennisi, who works closely with Heather, said applying for admission was always a vulnerable time but Heather’s strength of spirit had shone through.

“It has been an honour to work alongside Heather and see her inspire a new generation of solicitors,” Louise said.

Admitted on 10 December 2025 before the Chief Justice, Justice Boddice and Justice Bradley were: Douglas; Buntain; McDougall; Arseneau; Hall; Ball; Perissinotto; Sika De Mela; Echague; Wilkes; Mian; Williamson; Woods; McCrea; Hancock; Ding; Griffin; Amdur; Kelly; Li; Lu; McDuff; Price; Dorsa.

Riseley; Bauer; Misura; Adams; Rochester; Tennent; Goonaratne; Scriggins; Griff; Hosegood; Cowell; Peet; Ding; Wang; Pottenger; McGovern; Lowry; Edson; Fuller; Jeffrey; Younan; Golder; Cardenas; Bejoy.

Hubert; Jones; Neal; Kelly; Swan; Davie; Davey; Stewart; Fullick; De Silva; Chang; Hay; Yoo; Dobson; McLintock; Logan; Richards; Sargent; Mebrahtu; Anderson; Walatara; Zentilin; Markwell; Aung; Churchill.

Daysh; Loukas; Liwiski; Tabet; Lyons; Tambua; Percival; Matthews; Hill; Adermann; Bland; Ellis; Ramsay; Robinson; Kane; Gregory; Grimley; Carlisle; Schmidt; Clemence; Boyce; Zizzo; Savala; Hunter.

Lin; Greenley; Villani; Baills; Spencer; Filosi; Wiegman; Ranchigoda; De Luca; Ferris; Starr; Button; Ndlovu; Miles; Lingard; Laing; Roeszler; Buchanan; Gillan-Jane; Ncube; Talbot; Sim; Laguna.

Proctor celebrates all newly admitted lawyers and congratulates them on this significant achievement. Please email details to proctor@qls.com.au. Ensure you include some details of your current role, your admission mover, along with images from your admission sitting.