Bayside Community Legal Service’s (BCLS) president of two decades showed his trademark humility when he was recognised with a community award earlier this month.
Michael Stubbins said he was honoured just to be one of 13 finalists in the Bonner Electorate Awards, which recognise community service, and the win was unexpected.
Federal Member for Bonner Kara Cook and State Member for Lytton Joan Pease presented the award at Gumdale State School on 5 May.
Mr Stubbins was admitted as a solicitor in 1998 and worked for various government agencies, including the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy and Queensland Corrective Services.
He was involved in the implementation of the Community Justice Program, the Murri Courts and the Family Responsibilities Commission.
“In each of these roles I was working with people that were affected by violence, either as victims, offenders or witnesses, and the difficulties that people can face when they do not have the tools or ability to access legal advice and or assistance,” he said.
Mr Stubbins joined BCLS in 2000 and was one of a handful of volunteer lawyers who offered their services at Redlands Community Centre at Capalaba each Monday night.
“The challenge with providing legal advice only on Monday nights was the difficulty for some clients, particularly those fleeing domestic/family violence due to a lack of transport or the safety of the clients,” he said.
Funding then allowed for a paid solicitor one day a week, and the establishment of a free mediation service in 2014.
BCLS continued to expand under Mr Stubbins’ leadership.
“While the accommodation at the Redland Community Centre suited our service in the early years, we made the decision to source permanent accommodation that would allow us to store our files and equipment in a location that was close to public transport,” he said.
“We were fortunate to find accommodation in the Wynnum Community Centre that is leased from the Brisbane City Council and in a building with a number of other tenants including the YMCA. The current office is close to the Wynnum Train Station and buses.”
BCLS now operates four days a week, Monday to Thursday, with a Principal Solicitor, a co-ordinator, and a team of volunteers including pro-bono lawyers from local firm Hall & Wilcox, mediators and law students.
It also provides community legal education and attends local events regularly.
“At the local level we have built up strong relationships with the local courts and the Magistrates at Cleveland and Wynnum and other stakeholders providing support to members of the community, including those working with domestic/family violence survivors,” Mr Stubbins said.
He said the biggest challenge during his presidency was one echoed around the country – being able to match the demand for services with available resources.
“We do cover a large area from Hemmant in the east down to Redland Bay and across the many islands located in the southern area of Moreton Bay,” he said.
“While we do offer legal advice and assistance by phone or in person for some clients, the better option is in person, which is not always possible without access to transport in the more distant areas of our catchment area.”
He said he had been fortunate to have a good education and a fulfilling career, and volunteering was his “own small way of giving back”.
“It is a two-way interaction; you assist somebody that might not otherwise get assistance, and you feel that you have made a difference,” he said.
“I do the inductions with all new solicitors and law students, and I make clear that community legal centres are not for everybody and if you do not have a social justice conscience this is probably not a place to work or volunteer.”
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