When student and awards finalist Indi McKeown was looking for a winner’s song in case she won the Queensland Law Society First Nations Student Award, she knew exactly what to choose – Our Greats.
And the University of Queensland student got to hear the song by the Indigenous hip-hip group 3% at Saturday night’s Excellence in Law Awards. The song, released for NAIDOC Week last year, is a tribute to those who have paved the way.
“The song that just played is 3% and it’s called Our Greats and it talks about standing on the shoulders of all of the greats who came before us,” Ms McKeown said.
“So in recognition of that, I’d like to give my thanks to all of the incredible Indigenous lawyers who are in the room tonight and across Queensland who really paved the way for blackfellow law students like me.”
Ms McKeown not only thanked QLS but gave shoutouts to Indigenous Lawyers Queensland “for this incredible honour” and “everyone from UQ Law School who’s here to support me tonight”. And she had an emotional thank-you for her grandparents.
“And I guess the most important thank-you I would like to say is to my grandparents who aren’t here tonight but who I owe everything to,” she said.
“We talk about redeemable qualities and hard work – they’re not part of the legal profession, but I was raised with those qualities because of them and just seeing their incredible dedication to their family and creating better opportunities for us.
“So everything is for my grandma and granddad.”
Graduate Lawyer of the Year Ishita Punj also paid tribute to her family who built a business after migrating from India.
An Associate at Jones Day, Ms Punj saw firsthand how perseverance and understanding people can shape success and she said “incredibly honored and grateful” to receive the award.
“To be recognised so early in my career means so much more to me in words that I can really put it out to you all,” she said.
“I’d like to thank Jones Day, starting my career. There has been an enormous privilege.
“It is rare as a graduate to be given the opportunity to work directly with clients, close a deal at day one, and work one-on-one with partners in Australia and abroad.
“So all within the first few months of your career is truly amazing.
“And I’m so fortunate to have so many of my colleagues here tonight.
“And most importantly, I’d like to thank my parents. Everything I’ve built is, everything I’ve achieved, is built on their sacrifices and the belief they’ve always had in me.
“So this award might be the Graduate Lawyer of the Year Award, but a very large part of that award belongs to my parents.
“Thank you for this recognition and I am only just beginning.”
Proctor will feature all QLS Excellence in Law Award winners this week
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