MIC annual report (Jan 05) #3426_v4.qxd - Mallesons

Ted Noffs FoundationCommunity partnerThe Ted Noffs Foundation continues the legacy of Australian humanitarian,Reverend Ted Noffs. It provides essential services for young people (and theirfamilies) experiencing drug and alcohol problems and related trauma.Our Sydney partnership with the Ted Noffs Foundation is underpinned by our weeklyinvolvement in ASK! a free legal service for youth which provides 14 to 21 year oldswith free legal advice. This service, which has been operating since October 2001, isnow based in Randwick and Parramatta. We coordinate ASK, taking appointmentsfrom young people referred from services such as The Smith Family's Learning forLife program, the Australian Red Cross Glen Mervyn program, Ted Noffs Foundationand LawAccess. Each week we provide solicitors and support staff to the serviceto respond to legal enquiries."In early 2001 my dream of afree legal service for youngpeople was just that - a dream.Today that dream is a reality- we are operating that freelegal service in conjunctionwith Mallesons.Our organisations have a sharedset of values and vision- to empower young peopleby providing free legal adviceand referrals.Both Wesley and I areenormously proud of ourpartnership with Mallesonsand know that together ourorganisations are supportingmore and more young peopleevery year to deal with theirlegal problems more effectively- and hopefully to stop thecycle of crime."Some of the interesting matters our solicitors have assisted with aresummarised below.• In 2003, we assisted a young man who had been badly injured at work andsubsequently terminated from his employment. We negotiated compensationand an unfair dismissal settlement for him.• In 2004, we assisted a client who bought a car for a "budget price" only tosubsequently discover that it had an unspecified amount of finance owing.• In 2005, we successfully assisted a young man who had been fined for"possessing a thing for damaging property" whilst travelling on a train. Afterwriting a detailed letter to the Infringement Processing Bureau explaining whythe client, a keen art student, was carrying a felt tip pen in his pocket, theBureau decided to cancel the fine.Our partnership with Ted Noffs continues to grow and diversify through thecreativity, ingenuity and dedication of both organisations. Our support assistsTed Noffs to offer real solutions to young people experiencing drug and alcoholrelated difficulties.Above left: Sydney office summer clerks at the Ted Noffs Foundation PALM East projectBelow: Amanda and Wesley Noffs, General Managers, Ted Noffs FoundationAmanda NoffsGeneral ManagerTed Noffs Foundation

During 2005, we continued to help asylum seekers and refugees with immigration and visamatters. Lawyers volunteer at the Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre in Melbourne and theRefugee Advice and Casework Service in Sydney.Downing Centre duty solicitor schemeThirty one of our lawyers participate in the DowningCentre's duty solicitor scheme coordinated by the City ofSydney Law Society. The scheme provides advice, referralsand representation for people who are unrepresentedand who have criminal cases at the Downing CentreLocal Court. Most commonly our duty lawyers advise on:apprehended violence orders (AVOs), assault, minor drugoffences, traffic and debt matters.Refugee and asylum seekersDuring 2005, we continued to help asylum seekers andrefugees with immigration and visa matters. Lawyersvolunteer at the Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre inMelbourne and the Refugee Advice and Casework Servicein Sydney. These centres have a high demand for pro bonolegal assistance.Mallesons supports the valuable contribution that theselawyers make in their own time and in a personalcapacity. The firm pays the costs associated with ourvolunteer advisers becoming registered as migrationagents at the centres.The following stories are examples of the significantimpact our help can make on the lives of refugees andasylum seekers.• Lawyers in our Melbourne office succeeded inoverturning a decision to refuse a protection visa to afemale Sri Lankan asylum seeker on the basis that theRefugee Review Tribunal had ignored her attempts toreveal sensitive information which she was reluctant,for cultural and gender-related reasons, to disclose infront of men.• Members of Mallesons' Human Rights Law Group inour Melbourne office were involved in a case involvingan asylum seeker who was removed by the AustralianGovernment to Dubai, and then returned to detentionin Sydney.• Lawyers in our Brisbane office successfully challengeda decision by the Minister for Immigration andMulticultural and Indigenous Affairs to cancel a client'spermanent visa on character grounds. The outcome ofthis case was important as it clarified an issue regardingthe scope of the aliens power that had previously beenleft unresolved.Critiquing law reformDuring 2005, we assisted various community partners toprepare law reform submissions. Some examples areincluded below.• Lawyers and summer clerks in our Sydney office assistedthe Sydney Regional Aboriginal Corporation LegalService to draft a submission responding to the "Reviewof Bail Law in NSW" Discussion Paper released in 2004.The submission identified ways the New South Walesbail system could be reformed to reduce the timeAboriginal people spend in prison while on remand.• The National Children's and Youth Law Centre (NCYLC),together with Defence for Children InternationalAustralia, prepared a non-government organisationreport on Australia's implementation of the Conventionon the Rights of the Child. Louise Pounder, a Mallesons'secondee to NCYLC, researched and wrote specificmaterial on child labour and homelessness in Australiathen helped compile and edit the final report.• We assisted Sydney Regional Aboriginal CorporationLegal Service to draft a submission responding to theAustralian Government's discussion paper, "A NewApproach to the Family Law System". The submissionindicated that while it approved of the Government'sbroad intention to reform the family law system, themodel proposed failed to adequately address theproblems faced in Aboriginal communities.6

National Children's andYouth Law CentreCommunity partner"Building an effectiverelationship requires patienceand often takes time. I believethat the investment thatMallesons has made in itsrelationship with the Centreis now producing real benefitsfor each. And we are lookingat more strategic opportunitiesin the future - as we worktogether to support Australia'schildren and young people."James McDougallDirectorNational Children's & Youth Law CentreThe National Children's and Youth Law Centre (NCYLC) is a community legal centrededicated to addressing human rights issues for children and young people throughlegal change. Since its inception the NCYLC has developed a profile among childrenand young people Australia wide, and is recognised as one of a few key nationalbodies advocating for children and young people.The NCYLC is a Sydney community partner. Since 2001, our Sydney office hashad a formalised strategic partnership with the NCYLC. This consists of targetedpro bono legal assistance, financial assistance, policy development, volunteeringand other contributions.The success of our partnership with the NCYLC was recognised this year at the 2005Law and Justice Foundation of NSW Justice Awards where it was awarded the ProBono Partnership Award. Judges commented that they were particularly impressedby the depth of support provided by this partnership.One of the most important features of the partnership is the secondment of oneof our solicitors to the NCYLC for three month periods at a time. This considerablyimproves the ability of NCYLC to provide advice and legal information to youngpeople. It also gives us a great secondment to offer our young solicitors in Sydney,who in turn are able to make a tangible difference.Another way that our relationship is developing is through the NCYLC's CyberVolunteers program. Solicitors in our Sydney and Melbourne offices act as CyberVolunteers, responding to legal enquiries from children and young peoplenationwide via the NCYLC's "Lawmail" facility.Our multifaceted partnership is fundamental in assisting the NCYLC toprovide legal advice to young people and represent their interests in law reform.The relationship continues to strengthen and we look forward to the furtherdevelopment of this partnership.Mallesons partnership with the NCYLC was awarded the Pro Bono Partnership Award atthe Law and Justice Foundation of New South Wales' 2005 Justice Awards

• In July, three lawyers from our Melbourne office ran aworkshop at Melbourne City Mission on the VictorianGovernment's proposal to introduce a Charter ofHuman Rights. The workshop sought feedback frompeople experiencing homelessness to ensure that theiropinions and experiences were considered. Thefindings of this workshop became part of the PublicInterest Law Clearing House Homeless Persons' LegalClinic submission to the Victorian Government, whichwe helped to draft.Internal management assistanceMuch of our pro bono work involves advice andrepresentation about legal structures and internalmanagement issues for our not for profit clients. Ourcorporate advice helps these charities to achieve theirsocial or environmental missions more effectively.• The Chutzpah Factory College of Entrepreneurship Incis a not for profit association which helps developenterprise skills in young people who have beenexcluded from mainstream education systems as a resultof family abuse, homelessness or juvenile criminalbehaviour. Lawyers in our Brisbane office advised on theappropriate corporate structure for the ChutzpahFactory and assisted in researching options for attainingdeductible gift recipient status from the ATO (AustralianTaxation Office).• The Asian Rhino Project Inc is a Western Australianincorporated association that aims to advanceconservation of three Asian rhinoceros species.Lawyers in our Perth office advised on the best legalstructure that would allow the association to expandits fundraising and business initiatives.Creative assistanceLawyers from our Canberra office have been representingan installation artist whom the ATO claims is not carryingon a business. This test case before the AAT is importantbecause many artists rely on claiming deductions fromtheir arts businesses against other income to havesufficient funds to enable them to continue producingtheir art.Defending the rights of charities as beneficiariesLawyers from our Perth office have helped three charitiesdefend their right to distributions under a will in whichthey were named as beneficiaries. The three charitiesreceived a successful outcome and each is lookingforward to having the funds available for futurecharitable projects.• Lawyers from our Perth office assisted The AustralasianSociety for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition bymodernising and clarifying its constitution. The society'smain objective is the advancement of clinical nutrition,which they pursue through holding annual conferencesattended by eminent experts.Much of our pro bono work involves advice and representation about legal structures andinternal management issues for our not for profit clients. Our corporate advice helps thesecharities to achieve their social or environmental missions more effectively.8

Melbourne AffordableHousingCommunity partnerMelbourne Affordable Housing (MAH) is a local community partner of ourMelbourne office. MAH's goal is to build and develop diverse and sustainablecommunities by providing appropriate and affordable social housing. MAH achievesthis by developing, owning and managing social housing for low income anddisadvantaged people, working in partnership with local governments and innermetropolitan communities. Our relationship with MAH is enhanced by one of ourfinancial services partners, David Olsson's membership of the MAH board.Since 2001 we have provided a broad range of pro bono legal assistance to MAHincluding commercial, property and tax advice. Some examples follow."A secure and affordable homeis the essential ingredient thatallows people to participatewithin communities.From this platform people thathave been homeless, can aspireand dream of a life for theirchildren and themselves just likeeveryone else."Jan BerrimanChief Executive OfficerMelbourne Affordable Housing• We gave property advice about the House of the Gentle Bunyip in Clifton Hill.The house is an 1867 historical site that community groups saved fromdemolition. MAH worked in partnership with the local community to developaffordable rental accommodation on the site which is now offered to low incomeearning and disadvantaged Victorians.• We advised MAH on issues arising from the recently amended Housing Act1983 (Vic). We assisted MAH obtain registration as a housing association underthe amended Act and prepared submissions on tax issues that resulted in anATO ruling which benefits all housing associations registered under the Act.We have also supported MAH on an ongoing basis through our Workplace Givingprogram. Our donations have helped fund MAH projects, including the landscapingof the House of the Gentle Bunyip.By partnering with MAH, we are able to support various MAH projects whichaddresses the often neglected local cause of homelessness. The relationship alsoengages our partners and staff in important social issues and provides them withan opportunity to become involved in our local community.(Left to right) John Obee, Hal Bisset, David Olsson from Melbourne office and John Timmer in frontof the House of the Gentle Bunyip in 2001 and the House of the Gentle Bunyip as it now stands.

Pro bono advice on contractual arrangementsand obligationsDuring the past year we have provided charities withfree legal advice on contractual arrangements andobligations, intellectual property, and technology. Someexamples follow.• Lawyers in our Sydney office advised the Raising ChildrenNetwork when it was appointed under the StrongerFamilies and Communities "Invest to Grow" initiative todevelop and manage a national parenting informationwebsite. The Raising Children Network is anincorporated joint venture between the Smart PopulationFoundation, the Victorian Parenting Centre and theCentre for Community Child Health of the MurdochChildren's Research Institute. We advised on commercialarrangements to establish the network, on the fundingagreement with the Commonwealth government andon other agreements to get the website operational,including agreements for acquisition of website content.• Some of our Melbourne lawyers assisted the DeafnessFoundation Victoria to protect its trade marks,including its name "Deafness Foundation" and thename of its major fundraiser, "Butterfly BadgeCampaign". We secured registration for some of theFoundation's trade marks, including its butterfly logo.We hope to secure registration for the others, onceevidence of their exclusive and extensive use is filedand considered.• Our Brisbane office advised the Management Committeeof SIDS and Kids Queensland Inc on a Memorandum ofAgreement proposed between it and the National SIDSCouncil of Australia Limited. Our advice primarilycovered a licence of trade marks (most notably thoserelating to Red Nose Day and the SIDS and Kids brand)presented by the National SIDS Council of AustraliaLimited. Our lawyers recommended amendments tothe Memorandum before it is signed by SIDS and KidsQueensland Inc.• Lawyers in our Sydney office are reviewing a serviceagreement under which the Australian Federationof AIDS Organisations (AFAO) is providing funds forthe Asia Pacific Council of AIDS Service Organisationsto establish a training program to strengthen theadvocacy, leadership capacity and skills of peoplein HIV community organisations in selected AsiaPacific countries.During the past year we have provided charities with free advice on contractual arrangementsand obligations, intellectual property, and technology.10

Abused Child TrustCommunity partnerOur Brisbane office has had a community partnership with the Abused Child Trustsince 2001. The Abused Child Trust helps families keep children safe through childprotection therapy, education, advocacy and research. The Abused Child Trust runstreatment programs for abused children and their families in Brisbane, Townsvilleand the Gold Coast. The Trust's vision is clear - zero child abuse.Throughout the partnership, we have provided strategic legal expertise to theAbused Child Trust."The Abused Child Trust knowsthe power of creating successfulpartnerships. We could notoperate without some incrediblecompanies which believe in whatwe do.The support of partners likeMallesons Stephen Jaques allowsus to make a real difference tochildren and families whodesperately need help."David WoodallChief Executive OfficerAbused Child Trust• During 2005, we advised the Abused Child Trust about matters relating to theKids First Foundation. As a result of some member resignations from the Kids FirstFoundation, the Abused Child Trust had become its sole member. The AbusedChild Trust was seeking to use the structure of the Kids First Foundation topromote its fundraising around Australia. Our lawyers advised on the procedureto change the name of the Kids First Foundation and amend its constitution.• Our lawyers advised the Abused Child Trust on fundraising activities undertakenby the Trust, in particular on a number of funding agreements to be entered intoby the Trust.Yet the partnership goes further than just pro bono advice and representation. InNovember 2005, some Brisbane staff attended the Abused Child Trust's ContactHouse in Wooloowin, Brisbane, to learn about the Trust’s work. Contact Houseis a day centre for families at risk of or experiencing abuse and neglect. ContactHouse programs support the needs of children and their families across health,education and welfare. These supportive therapeutic and preventative services areavailable in a community-based, non-threatening and easily accessible environment.Services are provided to families free of charge.Our support enables the Abused Child Trust to stop the cycle of abuse and neglectwithin the community. By working in partnership Mallesons and the Abused ChildTrust are powerful advocates for child protection issues in Queensland."Tatts and Tiaras" Photograph courtesy of Abused Child Trust

Charitiesworking together to help othersUnder our Workplace Giving program, partners and staffcan donate money directly from their pay to up to 37charities, including our community partners. A taxdeduction benefit is automatically passed on to staff intheir pay. The charities then receive double the amountpledged as all staff donations are matched by Mallesons.Since the launch of the program in September 2002,we have contributed more than $550,000 each year tocharitable organisations in Australia and Asia. In September2004, on its second anniversary, we conducted a firmwidesurvey to get feedback on the program.The results of the survey identified that partners and staffwanted the Workplace Giving program to includefighting cancer, promoting animal welfare and copingwith mental illness as priority charitable areas.Consequently, we were delighted to add charities to ourWorkplace Giving Program including the following:• Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre - Research Division:Australia's largest, and one of the world's largestgroups dedicated to cancer research.• RSPCA: preventing cruelty to animals by activelypromoting their care and protection, and• SANE Australia: a charity helping people affected bymental illness.To celebrate adding these and other new charities intothe Workplace Giving program, we held profile raisingevents in all Australian offices throughout the year.These activities gave partners and staff the chance tolearn about the work of our new (and old) WorkplaceGiving charities. A few highlights are included here.• Two Weeks of Community Mindedness in Melbourneduring which a series of lunchtime presentations gavepartners and staff the opportunity to find out aboutour Workplace Giving charities.• Mallesons Community Fair in Sydney saw daringpartners and staff shaving and colouring their hair aspart of the Leukaemia Foundation's Shave for a Cure.• Community Day at the Beach in Brisbane in honour ofnew charity, Queensland Surf Life Saving, where goodsport partners and staff wore their "boardies" toencourage new pledges.• RSPCA’s Million Paws Walk on Sunday 15 May,when partners and staff from the Brisbane, Canberra,Sydney and Perth offices (and their four leggedfriends) participated in the RSPCA's Million Paws Walkto raise money and awareness for the RSPCA. ThePerth team won both the floating trophies - one forhaving the largest corporate team and one for raisingthe most funds.Chris Taufatofua, Andrew Carter, Andrew O’Shea and Andrew Ryanfrom the Brisbane office wore their "boardies" to encouragepledges to its new charity, Surf Lifesaving Queensland.Jamie Prell from the Sydney office, shaved his hair as partof the Leukaemia Foundation's Shave for a Cure

The total donations made by partners and staff in the 2004-05 financial year wasin excess of $800,000.• Mallesons in the Community Cancer Awareness Weekhosted by our Sydney office. Working closely withour Workplace Giving cancer charities, the LeukaemiaFoundation, National Breast Cancer Foundation andthe Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, a varied andinspiring program was developed for partners andstaff that showcased the ways our Workplace Givingcancer charities work to treat, cure and, ultimately,prevent cancer.• National Mental Health Week in our Sydney andMelbourne offices. Each office held two presentationsto coincide with National Mental Health Week. At thepresentations, SANE’s Executive Director spoke aboutthe work that SANE does through their variouscampaigns in the support and education of mentalillness. The presentations also featured "SANESpeakers" who spoke of their own experiences livingwith bipolar disorder.The total donations made by partners and staff in the2004-05 financial year was in excess for 800,000.This total includes a substantial one-off donation of$94,000 to the Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwickto assist with the refurbishment of the Bill WallaceNeurology Ward.Our commitment to our Workplace GivingrecipientsOur commitment to our Workplace Giving recipients goesbeyond just donating money to them. We seek todevelop mutually beneficial long-term relationships sothat we can work together more effectively to bettersupport disadvantaged individuals. We promote the workof our Workplace Giving charities by:• offering them the use of our centrally located officesfor their promotional activities.• using our network of contacts to publicise their work.• encouraging partners and staff to visit their projectsand inviting representatives from the charities to speakat our offices to our partners and staff.Mallesons Brisbane staff volunteered to support The Smith Family’s Christmas Appeal

The Smith FamilyCommunity partnerThe Smith Family is an Australian independent social enterprise creating opportunitiesfor disadvantaged children and their families to have a better future througheducation. Its core program is Learning for Life which provides a financial scholarshipand personal support in the form of an Education Support Worker through a child’sformal education years.In 2002 we entered into a national partnership with The Smith Family to effectmeasurable and sustainable social change. By the end of 2005, through ourWorkplace Giving program, partners and staff have supported 53 Learning for Lifescholarships and contributed to the costs of an Education Support Worker."Our partnership with Mallesonssets the benchmark for howcorporate Australia can makea meaningful contribution to thecommunity sector by investingnot just dollars but the timeand talent of the organisation.Whether it is providing a venuefor the Sydney Conversationsforum and pro bono legal counselso that our resources are directedto helping those in need ordirectly assisting students throughmentoring, internships and accessto unique experiences like theBella workshop, Mallesons hasdemonstrated the commitmentof the entire organisation toensuring disadvantaged youth aregiven every opportunity to reachtheir potential."In addition, our staff volunteer as mentors for Learning for Life students andprovide them with support and career guidance. We also encourage Learning forLife students by providing them with opportunities for work experience in ouroffice. This gives them a chance to observe the inner workings of a corporate lawfirm they otherwise may not have had (or wanted!).Since 2003 our support of Learning for Life students has extended to a grant thatenables tailored education workshops to be conducted at the Museum ofContemporary Art in Sydney. The students, from rural and metropolitan NewSouth Wales, are selected because of their passion for and talent in visual arts.The four day Bella workshops, in January and October, enable students to developa greater understanding of contemporary Australian and international art.Our partnership with The Smith Family culminates each year with our support forThe Smith Family's Christmas Appeal.Our partnership with The Smith Family is entrenched in the establishment andsustainability of programs and initiatives which aim to making a tangibledifference to the lives of disadvantaged Australian children.Canberra staff including (left to right) Sarah Blee, Renee Berry and Margaret Barnes volunteeredto support The Smith Family's Christmas AppealElaine HenryChief Executive OfficerThe Smith Family

Australian Conservation FoundationIn October Australian Conservation Foundation usedour Sydney office to host a presentation by Dr RosalieWoodruff from the National Centre for Epidemiology andPopulation Health at the Australian National University. Thetalk, based on a report commissioned by the AustralianMedical Association and the Australian ConservationFoundation, was about climate change and its impact onhealth in Australia.Going beyond our Workplace Giving programOur financial support of charities and not for profits goesbeyond our Workplace Giving program. We have a diversecharitable grants program that supports projects or causesselected by our charities committee, usually uponrecommendations from our partners and staff. Someexamples of our financial support in 2005 are listed below.• Following the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami in January2005, we donated $20,000 each to three of ourWorkplace Giving charities: CARE Australia, Oxfamand the Australian Red Cross.• We supported "Catch N Cook" in Botany Bay, a newindigenous youth fishing program.• We donated $10,000 to the Australian Red Cross AsiaEarthquake Appeal 2005, which raised funds to assistthe four million people in Pakistan, India andAfghanistan affected by the disaster, including 500,000left homeless.• We also donated a further $4,000 to the AustralianRed Cross to assist victims of the bombings in Balion 1 October 2005. The bombings killed 23 peopleincluding four Australians. The money was received bythe Indonesian Red Cross disaster preparedness fund.It will better enable them to respond to future disastersby providing additional equipment such as ambulances.• In November 2005, Sydney staff took a table at aspecial pre-opening dinner at new Sydney restaurant,"La Sala". All money raised, approximately $20,000,went towards the newly redeveloped Mission AustraliaCentre in Surry Hills.• We made a donation to Suicide Prevention Australia.The organisation works as a public health advocate insuicide prevention, assisting individuals andorganisations throughout Australia by promotingcollaboration in suicide prevention, interventionand postvention.Seaweed farming in Nembrala, island of Sabu in Nusa TenggaraTimur, East Indonesia one of Opportunity International Australia’ssuccessful initiatives.Photo courtesy of Opportunity International AustraliaSydney staff, family and friendsexperienced whale migrations with theAustralian Conservation FoundationPerth staff, family and friendsparticipated in the RSPCA'sMillion Paws Walk

Susie O'Sullivan and Yvonne Hopkins from the Canberra office took up an offer to experience a helicopter flight with Snowy Hydro SouthCareHelicopter Fund in November 2005• A grant was provided to the Juvenile DiabetesResearch Foundation - the world's leading non-profit,non-governmental contributor to diabetes research.The foundation's mission is to find a cure for diabetesand its complications by supporting medical research.• Our Brisbane office supported the National Breast CancerFoundation for their second annual MFS "SomethingSensational" Ball.• We donated money for an animal ambulanceand towards the Canberra RSPCA's "Birthday Bash"- celebrating its 50th year there.• Our donation of $17,000 to Perth’s Parkerville Children’sHome enabled them to purchase reverse cycle airconditioners for the campus cottages in the Out ofHome Care service.• Staff from our Perth Office attended the Camp Quality"Laughter in the Ballroom" event hosted by comedian,Paul McDermott.Our financial support of charities and not for profits goes beyond our Workplace Giving program.We have a diverse charitable grants program that supports projects or causes selectedby our charities committee, usually upon recommendations from our partners and staff.

Volunteeringwhat donating our time can achieveDuring 2005, over 500 of our partners and staffvolunteered in activities through the Mallesons in theCommunity program.The 2005 "Around the Bay in a Day"Staff from our Melbourne office participated in the"Around the Bay in a Day" annual fundraiser for The SmithFamily. Five of our staff members completed the gruelling210km bike ride around Port Philip Bay. Another memberof staff took on the Centenary challenge, a 100km ridefrom Sorrento to the Docklands. Each of our volunteersraised funds for The Smith Family through sponsorship byfamily and friends.The Smith Family and Barnardos Christmas appealsThe Smith Family 2005 Christmas Appeal saw 111 staffvolunteer more than 503 hours of their time. Withassistance from our volunteers, The Smith Family was ableto distribute more than 15,200 hampers and 25,000 toypacks to disadvantaged families across Australia. Staff fromall centres packed hundreds of food hampers, deliveredfood and toys, directed traffic and gift wrapped presentsfor Smith Family Learning for Life students.For the fifth year, Christmas trees on each floor in ourSydney office were adorned with red and green tags andyellow angels. Partners and staff were invited to take a tagor angel from the tree and return it with an appropriategift for The Smith Family and Barnardos 2005 ChristmasToy and Book Appeal. The response was huge and a largenumber of toys and books were donated for the childrenof families supported by The Smith Family and Barnardos.Starlight Foundation Star DayStar Day is the Starlight Children's Foundation majornational fundraising event. In aid of this, on 6 May, stafffrom our Sydney office took to the streets to help Starlightraise much needed funds by selling Starlight merchandise.The money raised went towards the many seriously ill andhospitalised children around Australia.The Smith Family - student2student ProgramStaff from our Brisbane and Sydney offices volunteered forThe Smith Family's student2student (s2s) program. Thes2s program is designed to help students in years 3 to 8who have been assessed as being two years or less behindin their reading development and who want additionalsupport to improve their reading. These students arepartnered with mentors who are also school studentswho have good literacy skills and have been trained byThe Smith Family to develop literacy skills in others. Thementors contact the students twice a week and read withthem for 30 minutes. Volunteers supervise the mentorsand generally field any questions that arise during thes2s program.Australian Red Cross Emergency Call Centre andthe Asian tsunamiIn 2004, the Melbourne office set up a permanent pool ofvolunteers trained and ready to assist Australian Red Crosswith Emergency Call Centre Support. The Emergency CallCentre takes calls from concerned family members duringmajor emergencies and helps with fundraising.Unfortunately, our pool of volunteers were quickly required.The Asian tsunami in 2004 produced one of the biggestfundraising campaigns in Australian history. In addition toour established pool, many other staff members from ourMelbourne and Canberra offices donated their time overthe Boxing Day/New Year 2005 period to help answer thecalls from the public pledging their assistance.During 2005, over 500 of our partners and staff volunteered in activities through theMallesons in the Community program.20

Australian Red CrossCommunity partnerSince 1914 Australian Red Cross has strived to be the leading humanitarianorganisation in Australia. By responding to those touched by tragedy or disaster andpromoting humanitarian laws and values, Australian Red Cross consistently improvesthe lives of vulnerable people. Today, Australian Red Cross has more than 27,000trained volunteers and delivers over 60 programs and services across Australia.Australian Red Cross has been one of our Australia-wide community partners since2001. We assist Australian Red Cross to promote and educate the legal and widercommunities about International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the Red Cross RedCrescent Movement’s role as part of the largest humanitarian organisation in theworld. Our lawyers have assisted in organising and attended a variety of InternationalHumanitarian Law initiatives designed to increase the legal profession's engagementwith IHL issues."Mallesons longstandingcommitment to Australian RedCross is extensive.It is a relationship we valuehighly and one thatdemonstrates the full range ofinvolvement possible with ourorganisation - involvement thatis very active and practical.Their provision of pro bono legalwork, support of programs onthe ground, workplace givingand individual staff membersvolunteering stands as anexcellent example for corporatecommunity involvement.We provide financial and in-kind assistance to the Australian Red Cross for IHL publicpresentations and debates. A recent example was a Law Week 2005 "Hypothetical"in Perth. The discussion highlighted the domestic and international mechanismsavailable to prosecute terrorists and the ramifications of their use. Panellists includedthe Hon Daryl Williams QC, former Attorney-General, Federal Court Judge,Robert Nicholson AO and human rights lawyer, Simon Rice OAM.Over 115 of staff in our Australian offices call the elderly and medically dependanteach day as part of the Australian Red Cross Telecross initiative. The initiative is toensure the safety and wellbeing of these people.Partners and staff in Sydney and Melbourne volunteer at Australian Red Cross GoodStart Breakfast Clubs, serving breakfasts to underprivileged children at inner cityschools. Our Melbourne volunteers assist at one primary school and in 2005, ourSydney Breakfast Club volunteers took responsibility for their second primary school.Our support to Australian Red Cross enhances the Australian Red Cross's ongoingdelivery of services to those most vulnerable members of the community.Kate Jackson and friends at the Australian Red Cross Good Start Breakfast Club, MelbourneWe sincerely thank Mallesonsfor their outstanding support."Robert TicknerChief Executive OfficerAustralian Red Cross

Australian Red Cross Breakfast Club volunteers Myriam Romanoand Anne DeaneStaff from our Sydney office worked with the AustralianRed Cross to make 105 Red Cross Trauma Teddies, for usein the Family CourtOur Canberra centre gets busy with local charitiesPartners and staff in our Canberra office participatedin a variety of charity events during the year.• Marymead Child and Family Centre is a Canberraorganisation that helps the young and disadvantagedby providing accommodation and other support ona short and long-term basis. The centre held anappreciation evening at which two of our lawyerswere presented with a certificate thanking us for thepro bono and other assistance we had given over thelast 12 months.• Staff were given the opportunity to visit the newfacilities of the Canberra RSPCA, which were rebuiltfollowing the Canberra bushfires, and officially openedearlier this year.• Representatives from our Canberra office attended thelaunch of The Smith Family's study about "What dostudents know about work?" held at ParliamentHouse in Canberra. This study discusses seniorsecondary school students' perceptions of the worldof work.• Staff participated in the Prime Minister's CommunityPartnership awards at Old Parliament House inCanberra. We co-hosted a booth with The SmithFamily, showcasing our partnership with them ona national and local level.Reaching out with our knitting needlesStaff from all of our offices generously knitted blanketsand teddy bears for the homeless, children in trauma andvictims of the Asia Earthquake.• 45 staff from our Sydney office knitted 280 squaresto form five blankets as part of the Salvation Army's"Knitting for our Homeless" drive. The blankets werepresented to Major Neil Dickson from the Salvation Armyon 22 July at a lunch in our Sydney office. Major Dicksonspoke to staff about life on the front line of the SalvationArmy, detailing some of his personal experiences as anofficer of the Salvation Army, as well as outlining someof their current programs. The Sydney office knitters alsocompleted three "Wraps with Love" which were givento the homeless through the 702 ABC Sydney BreakfastKnit In held in July.• Staff from our Sydney office worked with AustralianRed Cross to make 105 Red Cross Trauma Teddies forthe Family Court. Trauma Teddy is a Red Cross service,which provides knitted bears to comfort childrenexperiencing trauma.• The Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane andHong Kong offices all contributed to knitting "Wrapswith Love" for the Asia Earthquake Appeal. Wepledged 40 rugs for this appeal and so far haveknitted 25 "Wraps with Love".

Urban SeedCommunity partner"Urban Seed is delighted towork with Mallesons and to bestrengthening our relationship asstaff volunteer at Credo Café.The pro bono work offered tous is very significant and allowsus to gain expertise in areas inwhich we would otherwise notbe able to afford good advice.The highlight of our involvementis through the successful annualfundraising concert that draws onthe financial, organisational andmusical talents of Mallesons staff.Thank you for your supportthrough this year."Mark PiersonExecutive DirectorUrban SeedOur Melbourne office has had a community partnership with Urban Seed since2003. A small, inner city community organisation, Urban Seed assists peopleliving in and around Melbourne's CBD who experience economic disadvantage,social isolation and homelessness. Urban Seed also works to raise publicawareness of a range of social issues while focusing on relationships andcommunity development.Much of Urban Seed's work is centred around Credo Café, where it providesfree meals in a communal, family style environment to homeless and othermarginalised people. The weekday lunches (Mondays to Thursdays) and theSunday Night Dinner are popular, with 50 - 80 people visiting Credo eachmealtime. The Sunday Night Dinner teams are currently managed by one of ourstaff members and other staff volunteer at Credo on a regular basis. We alsocontribute to Credo Café's Christmas celebration dinner.In May 2005, Urban Seed hosted a corporate partner function and fundraisingconcert, "An Evening of Music". The evening was a celebration of Urban Seed'spast and current work, and provided an opportunity to outline Urban Seed'sfuture aspirations. We provided organisational assistance, catering supplies, ticketsales, donations, and MC duties. The concert also featured some of our musicallytalented staff who helped create a memorable evening for all involved.During 2005 we organised professional services training for Urban Seed staffto enable Urban Seed to become more effective in communicating withbusinesses and government. We have also given Urban Seed staff variouscomputer training sessions.Our relationship with Urban Seed enables it to offer improved service andopportunities for the marginalised people of Melbourne, and also enhancesUrban Seed's advocacy of social justice issues.Urban Seed’s Credo Café for homeless and marginalised people

Aboriginal Family Violence Protection & Legal ServiceAbused Child Trust IncAIDS Trust of AustraliaAloka Foundation AustraliaThe Also FoundationAlzheimer's Association of QueenslandAmnesty International AustraliaAnglicans Cooperating in Overseas Relief & Development(AngliCORD)Asian Rhino Project IncAssociation of Needle & Syringe Programs (ANEX)Asylum Seeker Resource CentreAunties & Uncles Co-Op Family Project Pty LtdAurora Community TelevisionAustralasian Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (AUSPEN)Australian Conservation FoundationAustralian Council for International DevelopmentAustralian Federation of AIDS OrganisationsAustralian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies(AIATSIS)The Australian National UniversityAustralian Red CrossAustralian Research Alliance for Children & YouthAustralian Theatre for Young PeopleAustralian Youth OrchestraBarnardos AustraliaBenevolent SocietyBeryl Women's Refuge IncorporatedThe Bessie Smyth Foundation LtdBethesda Hospital IncBowel Cancer & Digestive Research Institute of AustraliaBreast Cancer Network AustraliaBrimbank Melton Community Legal CentreCamp Quality ACTCamp Quality WAThe Cancer Council Western AustraliaCARE AustraliaCentenary Institute Medical Research FoundationClearmark Technologies Pty LtdClontarf Aboriginal CollegeCoalition of Aboriginal Legal Services NSW (COALS)The Committee for MelbourneCommunity Child Care AssociationConservation Council of WA IncConstruction Industry Training and Employment AssociationCrosby Park Meals on Wheels IncCombined Brisbane Rotary Club Art SpectacularCommunity TelevisionCystic Fibrosis New South WalesDeafness Foundation, VictoriaDown Syndrome Association of AustraliaEPA VictoriaThe First StepFitzroy Legal ServiceFriends of the Mater FoundationFoodbank NSW LimitedGarvan Institute of Medical ResearchThe Girls & Boys BrigadeGO Fund Gynaecological OncologyGrand Lodge of WA Freemasons Homes for the AgedThe Guardian ClubHabitat for Humanity AustraliaHanoverHuman Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC)Homeless People's AssociationHope for Children FoundationHorizon Foundation IncIDEAS IncJesuit Social ServicesJiddabul Aboriginal CorporationThe John R Stoop Housing AssociationJuvenile Diabetes Research FoundationKoori Communications & TrainingLeukaemia FoundationLifeFlight Pty LtdLions Club of Bondi IncLions Club of Canberra ValleyLions Ear & Hearing Institute of Western AustraliaLittle Sisters of the PoorLiving Way Christian ChurchMacular Degeneration FoundationMarie Stopes International AustraliaMarymead Child and Family CentreMelbourne Affordable HousingMelbourne CitymissionMelbourne Community FoundationMetta Youth LimitedMission AustraliaMt Roberts Science & Heritage AssociationNational Breast Cancer FoundationNational Children's & Youth Law CentreNational Parks Association of NSW24

Newborn Intensive Care Foundation, Canberra HospitalNorthern Region SLSA Helicopter RescueNRMA CareFlightNSW Disability Discrimination Legal Centre (Inc)Odyssey HouseOthila's Young Women's Housing and Support ServiceOphthalmic Research Institute of Australia (ORIA)Opportunity International AustraliaOut of RedfernOxfam AustraliaOz GREENParkerville Children's Home IncPathways FoundationPartnership in Health Promotion LtdThe Peace Scholarship TrustPeninsula Community Health Service IncPeter MacCallum Cancer CentrePMH FoundationThe Primary Club of AustraliaProstate Cancer Foundation of AustraliaPublic Interest Advocacy CentrePublic Interest Law Clearing House (NSW) (VIC)Queensland Cancer FundQueensland Public Interest Law Clearing HouseRedfern Legal CentreRefugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS)Residential Care RightsRotary Club of CanberraRotary Club at PrestonRoyal Flying Doctor Service of AustraliaRoyal Melbourne HospitalRSPCASailability NSW IncSalvation ArmySANE AustraliaScarlet AllianceThe School of Total EducationSIDS & Kids NSWSIDS & Kids QueenslandSilent AngelsSir Edward Dunlop Medical Research FoundationSmart PopulationThe Smith FamilySnowy Hydro SouthCare Helicopter FundSocial Ventures AustraliaSpringvale Monash Legal Service IncStarlight Children's FoundationStep to the Future Education FoundationSuicide Prevention AustraliaSurf Life Saving Association of AustraliaSurf Lifesaving QueenslandSydney Children's Hospital, RandwickSydney PENSydney Regional Aboriginal Legal Corporation Legal ServiceTed Noffs FoundationTony Hitchin FoundationTurning Point Alcohol & Drug Centre IncUniting Care Harrison Community ServicesUrban SeedVictorian Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders(VACRO)Very Special KidsWA Disabled Sports Association IncWestern Suburbs Legal ServiceThe Women's CircusWomen Lawyers AssociationWomen's Legal CentreYoungcare

www.mallesons.com© Mallesons Stephen Jaques#3426 December 2005