By Afraa Kori
As part of the 10th year anniversary, Duffy and Simon awarded VCE students across the community with a special law award on 12 December.
Held at Toomah Community Centre, the award was presented to students who showed outstanding performance in legal studies during their VCE.
The recipients of this award received a certificate of recognition, a $200 voucher and were invited to attend a celebratory morning tea where they were able to meet the Partners of the firm.
This year’s recipients were Regan Gay (Berwick Secondary College), Emilia Klarica (St Margarets Berwick Grammar), Tricia Gonsalvez (St Francis Xavier), Navish Prashadkumar (Nossal High School), Yashodha Kahanda Gamage (Beaconhills), Amy Hallinan (Lakeside College), Huzaima Amjad (Pakenham Secondary School), Claire Carlile (Koo Wee Rup Secondary College), Katerina Mavroudis (Casey Grammar), Isabella Badelian (Hillcrest Christian College) and Aiyana Rajakaruna (Haileybury).
After receiving the award, Officer resident and Beaconhills student, Yashodha Kahanda Gamage said hard work truly pays off.
“I’m just really honored. It was two years of work into legal studies. It was really stressful but my teachers and family really supported me. I was trying to do my best, not necessarily trying to get the award,” she said.
“I did not expect the award. It’s just upwards and onwards from here! I want to learn as much as I possibly can about law and find an area that suits me so that I’m really passionate about it, can delve into it and see how I can impact the world.”
The law award is also an excellent way to encourage other students to pursue their interests in law and to strive for excellence in their studies.
For those students who did not receive the 2024 law award, Principle lawyer Damien McKenna encourages them to never give up on their dreams.
“Just because you don’t receive an award doesn’t mean you’re not going to be a fantastic lawyer,” he said.
“If you’re interested in law, ask many questions to someone who is a lawyer. Make sure to study hard and try to get as much practical experience as you can in different areas to work out which area of law you’re passionate about.”
Principal lawyer Matthew Abraham added that the law firm lays the foundation for lifelong networks and opportunities.
“It’s fantastic for us to be able to give back to the schools in the area. It’s an opportunity for us to recognise the students and connect with those students as they move through high school to university,” he said.
“A lot of students end up in university doing a law degree and we are lucky enough to have a few of those students come through our office. We had law award winners do our clerkship program where they can get a feel of being a lawyer; working inside the law firm and gaining practical experience. We also had law award winners who have gone to become lawyers for us.”
