Article by: Timothy Graney, Double Degree: Law and Commerce, The University of Adelaide
There comes a time in many a student’s journey where life simply seems to revolve around what is important for them as an individual. People often feign an interest in a cause or sprout a line or two about a controversial issue but beneath it all they are more than content to remain in their own little bubble. I know this because this is what seemed to happen to me over my university journey. As an individual I had always had a strong passion in social justice, human rights and Indigenous issues but as time crept by it felt as though all my time consisted of was drinking energy drinks and knowing who to sue if there happened to be a snail in there.
Fortunately this is where the Aurora Project stepped in and gave me the opportunity to get outside this bubble and to experience something that provides significant and tangible benefits for the wider community. The Aurora Native Title Internship Program achieves this by recruiting and placing legal, anthropology and some social science (archaeology, cultural heritage, environmental management, human geography, history and sociology) interns with Native Title Representative Bodies and other organisations working in policy development, social justice, human rights, all with an Indigenous focus.
My placement was at the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre (AILC) in Canberra which is a not-for-profit organisation designed to foster new Indigenous leadership at all levels so that these individuals are capable of finding and leading solutions for all Australians. The AILC is a Registered Training Organisation that deliversAustralia’s only accredited courses in Indigenous leadership, as well as non-accredited short courses in specific leadership skills and diversity mentoring. The courses offered by the AILC are crucial in combating the disadvantages that confront Indigenous people and providing benefits in employment, educational and community contexts.
The experience offered me more than I was expecting and I cannot speak any more highly of all the staff at the organisation who welcomed me with open arms and whose hard work and dedication has provided a strong framework that allows Indigenous people to continue to strive for success. While the vast majority of the work undertaken was not in a legal context it was still a very challenging and rewarding experience that left me feeling as though I had made a meaningful contribution to an important organisation. It was very refreshing to see how the skills learnt in a legal context are easily transferrable to any number of disciplines as I was busy analysing materials and drafting documents relating to a broad range of areas such as a policy and procedure manual to a strategic business plan and even a prospectus to attract corporate investors. These tasks were all invaluable experiences as they provided a unique opportunity to be entrusted with some significant responsibilities and to contribute to the future direction of the organisation. I think it is also wise to mention to those out there worried about giving up their holidays for policy documents and reports that there are events such as NAIDOC and work luncheons and an office filled with laughter that will help the time just fly by.
So if you find yourself itching for the chance to gain some practical experience and to make a difference by providing assistance to an under resourced organisation, head over to the Aurora Project website (www.auroraproject.com.au) and apply for an internship.
There are two intakes for interns annually, during the summer and winter university breaks, for five to six weeks. Applications for the summer 2012/13 round of internships will be open now through to the 31st August online via the website.
