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NEW LAWYERS WORKING ACROSS VICTORIA HAVE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO GET OUT AND ABOUT.

The Young Lawyers Regional and

Suburban Committee arranges regular activities to give new lawyers

working across Victoria an opportunity to make friends, develop professional contacts and have fun while celebrating what is great about working in their region or suburb. The committee’s objectives include:

• Ensuring access to legal resources and education in regional areas;

• Attracting practitioners to suburban and regional areas;

• Creating mentoring and networking opportunities for new lawyers working in suburban or regional areas.

In October each year committee members work with the LIV to organise an event as part of Regional and Suburban Young

Lawyers Week. This year, the following events were held across Victoria.

Bendigo:Dinner with local magistrates Friday, 7 October

Bendigo young lawyers joined four of their local magistrates, William Gibb, Richard Wright, Jennifer Tregent and Stella

Stuthridge, for dinner. In a relaxed and enjoyable event the magistrates shared war stories and the like over a few glasses of red wine and some beautiful food from the restaurant Barzurk.

LUKE DOCHERTY,Bendigo YL representative

Eastern Suburbs:Social networking dinner Wednesday, 5 October

Young lawyers of the eastern suburbs got together for a fun-filled evening at Balsamic Bar and Restaurant in Ringwood. We hosted this successful event to provide an opportunity for young lawyers to mingle, wine and dine and meet their fellow colleagues practising within the region. A great night was had by all and it was really encouraging to see new contacts made and networks formed.

ELIZA JONES AND GRACE KELLY,Eastern Suburbs YL representatives

Geelong:Trivia night Friday, 7 October

Once again, a great night was had by all who attended the trivia night in Geelong. Guests relaxed with a glass of bubbles and delicious canapes, before putting their heads together to try and answer questions such as:“Which day of the week do the most armed robberies take place?” and other pressing issues. Overall, it was a closely fought contest, but as always, there could only be one winner . . . There’s always next year.

BIANCA PARIDAEN,Geelong YL representative

Gippsland:Sunday sippers at Oktoberfest Sunday, 9 October

Gippsland young lawyers celebrated German Oktoberfest in Warragul, West Gippsland. Attended by many young lawyers from the Gippsland region, the event featured traditional German dancers from Hofbrauhaus in Melbourne, live entertainment, a big

German-inspired lunch and plenty of German “refreshments” available from the bar including our very own German stein for each attendee. In an attempt to defend my title of best dressed from the 2010 Oktoberfest, together with fellow young lawyer Kieta Van de Meulen,I competed in the best dressed competition which involved whistling while stuffing pretzels into your mouth. The day enabled all Gippsland young lawyers to relax, share war stories and get to know each other amid laughter and toasting Prost to Octoberfest German bier, schnapps and cider.

KIM MCFARLANE,Gippsland YL representative

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Mornington Peninsula:Social networking dinner Wednesday, 5 October

The dinner began with drinks overlooking the Mornington Park with the beach in the

background, while young lawyers got to know one another. We were then seated for a two- course meal, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The event provided a wonderful chance for young lawyers to get to know each other and make new networks, as there were attendees from all stages of their careers, from law students to newly-admitted lawyers, to young lawyers with several years of experience. Guests enjoyed great group discussions about everyone’s different experiences in their legal career, while enjoying some great music, lovely food and a spectacular view!

GERALDINE SHORTHOUSE,Mornington Peninsula YL representative

Northern, North Western and Western Suburbs:Legal laughs Thursday, 6 October

Young lawyers from the northern, north western and western suburbs joined together at The Comic’s Lounge, North Melbourne to celebrate Regional and Suburban Young Lawyers Week. The event was well attended and began with drinks at the bar followed by dinner and four stand-up comedy performances, aptly named by the venue as “The biggest night of comedy in Melbourne”. The attendees were treated to comedy shows by John Burgos, Bradford Oakes, Dave O’Neill and Hung Le. The event was a huge success - thanks to everyone who attended.

MELISSA KNAPIC, MARIA BHATTI AND RHIANNON REID, YL representatives Northern, North Western and Western Suburbs

Southern:Trivial pursuits in suits Thursday, 6 October

Biting wit, merriment, implausible arguments with the host . . . Ah, the young lawyers southern region trivia night struck again.

There were prizes, wooden spoons, tears, OK, no tears, but viciously competitive heckles there were. Merely a point separated the final three teams who battled it out for the coveted trivia trophy.

Congratulations to Scott Fitzgibbon, Prudence Long, Penny Lording, Emily Dempster, Tim Gough and Pey-Chiann who pipped the Goggle Dolls Jessica Lee, Kristy Muhlhan, Misty Royce, Angela Guest, Monique Kelly and Ana to the post to take out first place. A special mention must also be made of our wooden spoon team, The Vibe.

ANGELA GUEST AND ANA PERCIC,Southern YL representatives

Western District:An evening on the greens Friday, 7 October

The young lawyers of the Western District got together at the Warrnambool Bowls Club with the intention of getting on the greens for some barefoot bowls but the Warrnambool weather decided not to come to the party. We soldiered on regardless, making full use of the hospitality of the venue and of course our bar tab. It was a great opportunity for all to mix, mingle and compare notes, particularly given so many of the Hamilton contingent made the effort to trek to Warrnambool. The students who came along from the local law school at Deakin had the opportunity to chat with some of the young lawyers who of course spouted the benefits of practising in the country. For those who weren’t ready to call it a day when the tab dried up at the Bowls Club, it was off to other watering holes. Thanks to everyone who came and made it a great night.

DANIELLE SVEDE AND JESSICA DOWDY,Western District YL representatives

PLANS FOR 2012To find out more about regional and suburban events near you, or the name of the YL representative in your area contact the YLS atyounglaw@liv.asn.au.

Regional and Suburban YL Committee

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