Herald 20220816

Couple's open and shut case for giving back to the community
In 2017 Anne Bemi and Errol
Way had been retired for nearly
15 years when they found
themselves chasing a law degree
each, all in the name of giving
back to their beloved Ipswich
community.
Both born and bred in Ipswich
and married for 40 years, the
pair met at St Edmund’s College,
where Anne, now 67, was a
librarian and Errol, now 82, was
a biology teacher.
“Between us we have studied
at five universities over our careers
and upon retirement never
envisaged either one of us ever
returning to tertiary study, especially
after decades working in
education,” Anne said.
“But we found ourselves in a
situation where more knowledge
was needed and that led us to
consider more study.”
In their retirement, the couple
volunteered their time with an
advocacy group assisting with
a wide range of social issues in
residential parks.
“We enjoyed helping where
we could and we got a lot out
of devoting our time to people
in need, here in Ipswich and all
over Queensland,” Errol said.
“A lot of the clients had difficulty
navigating the legal and
system and required additional
support in court and tribunals so
we helped where we could. Anne
and I had a moment where it
clicked that it would be useful to
have more skills in this space.”
Anne said it was a big decision
to make the leap from doing
their own research as needed, to
committing to a degree.
“Ultimately, we made the
decision to enrol at the University
of Southern Queensland in
a Bachelor of Law because we
wanted the mental stimulation
to stop us fading into the background,”
she said.
“It was of huge convenience
to us too, to have the degree offered
in person just 20 minutes
from our own home.”
That was back in Semester 2
of 2017. This week, the motivated
pair will officially graduate
with a Bachelor of Laws each.
Errol describes the past five
years as a roller coaster rid - but
an enjoyable one.
“In the early days, computer
skills were very problematic,”
he said.
“It felt like if you paused for
just 24 hours you were automatically
behind when it came to the
technology. But we both adapted
and learned.
"I’m really pleased how we’ve
overcome the obstacles on that
front,” he said.
Dr Margaret Voight from the
University’s School of Law and
Justice said the couple were an
incredible example of going beyond
expectations and proved it
was never too late to learn more
and make an impact.
“As Errol and Anne’s Course
Examiner in the Law Clinic
placement subject, their maturity,
compassion and enthusiasm
in helping the most vulnerable
in our community was evident
in their interactions with clients
and colleagues in the clinical
placement team,” Dr Voight
said.
“Their passion for learning
new areas of law and legal
practice, although challenging,
seemed to be the catalyst to succeed
and to help others.”
Anne said after their graduation
ceremony the couple plan
Past students and families are
invited to an unveiling of a Memorial
Stone representing the
site of the Lavelle School. This
event will be held on Saturday,
September 24, with everyone
meeting at 10am at the Lions
Park in Millmerran.
For those interested there will
be buses out to the Memorial
Stone as there is very little parking
at the site.
After the unveiling we will
have lunch at the Mill Tavern,
Millmerran.
Those interested please contact
Ian 4630 7979 or Malcolm
0427 956 108 before September
1 to indicate your attendance.
The Lavelle Provisional
School started in the Lavelle
Hall on May 4, 1926 and continued
until 1933 when the new
school building was built on the
grounds beside the hall.
The school became a state
school on May 1, 1933 with the
average attendance of 14 students.
The first teacher was Miss
Margaret Norton and the last
was Mr Stuart Brown.
The school closed on December
21, 1957 and the 20 students
were then bussed to Millmerran
State State School.
After its closure the school
was transported to Ivanhoe and
used as a state school there, it
was then placed on a property
and then ended up in Leyburn.
to catch up on retired life before
completing their practical legal
training to become fully certified.
“We have to be realistic about
our age and our emerging law
career, but we’re both very keen
to pursue serving in some capacity
in community law in the
future. We’ve been so very fortunate
to have such a unique opportunity
on our doorstep and be
involved in a law program that is
so highly regarded.
“A lot of good things had to
align to make this a reality, and
I couldn’t be more delighted of
what we’ve achieved right here
in our hometown. It’s been such
a rewarding and transformational
experience.
“There is so much to be proud
of here in Ipswich and the University
of Southern Queensland
plays such a big part in that.”
Errol Way and Anne Bemi - University study - mental stimulation
Lavelle School memorial unveiling
Back row: Gordon Nelson, Laurie French, Lloyd Stevens, George Lindenmayer, Walton Sizer, Alex French, Bruce Stevens.
Third row: Laura McCullough, Joyce Castles, Dulcie Taylor, Beth Schultz, Shirley Watts, Elsa Schultz, Jill Watts, Ladene
Martin. Second row: Len Arthur, Val Sizer, Jean Sizer, Shirley Kanowski, Elsie Lindenmayer, Pearl Kanowski, Beryl Castles,
Sylvia Schultz, Meryl French, Charlie Mallen. Front row: Bob McCullough, Tony Patterson, Ian McCullough, Mervyn Tracey,
John Martin, Allen Sizer and Hilton French. Names reseached by Ailsa McCullough.
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HIGH COUNTRY HERALD - AUGUST 16, 2022 - 7