Welcome return of Cabramatta Law Expo

After a long break due to the pandemic, Navitas Skilled Futures (NSF) Cabramatta hosted its first Law Expo in three years on 13 September.

The ‘Law & You Expo’, presented in conjunction with the NSW Department of Justice, focused on legal rights and responsibilities for newly arrived NSF students studying AMEP English at Cabramatta College.

It covered the key topics of legal services, health services and healthy family relationships.

Students attended sessions and stalls run by a range of relevant organisations and community services, including Legal Aid NSW, NSW Health, CORE DFV, NSW Police, Seniors Rights, Services NSW, Services Australia and Gamble Aware.

Cabramatta College’s Vlasta Gunning said the day was a “big success” with students learning first hand about all aspects of the law. They had their questions answered and explained to them by the local experts.

“We had three different information sessions on rotation (45 minutes each session, six in total) to provide more specific information to students,” Vlasta said.

“These sessions were by CORE – Domestic and family violence information and support; NSW health (Fairfield Hospital) – Health services information; and Legal Aid – Rights in Australia, understanding the Law in Australia and access to legal support.

“We also had ‘Coffee with a Cop’ in our cafeteria area with refreshments and an opportunity for a relaxed chat with a police officer. Two police officers were kept busy all day! A group of students volunteered to serve ‘customers’ and did a fabulous job in serving mini pizzas, coffee and tea to students, stall holders and guest speakers. We also had lucky door prizes, with four students winning small gifts on the day in a raffle.”

Noted as a model of “how community engagement and education should be done”, one exhibitor pointed out the event was a “great collaboration across local services, providing access for the community we serve.”