Services
Legal
We provide free legal advice, assistance and representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families across Southern Queensland.
Education
We deliver knowledge sharing forums and cross agency collaborations to improve information and access to the legal system and our services.
Counselling
We offer professional counselling, court support, and referral services to ensure client needs are met in an integrated and holistic way.
Advocacy
We champion legislative, policy and societal change by promoting, reporting and participating in activities that advance client requests.
About Us
Aboriginal Family Legal Service Southern Queensland, also known as AFLSSQ, is an Indigenous Corporation that provides legal and other support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in Southern Queensland.
Our vision is to understand, respond and prevent violence to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in Southern Queensland to live safely in their own homes and communities.
Our mission is to develop and deliver culturally-appropriate, high-quality services, to make and maintain inclusive relationships and collaborative partnerships, and to advance and affect practices that empower women, men and children to make informed decisions about families, communities and lives in ways that are respectful, responsible and right for them and their communities.
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Protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's right to determine their own futures.
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Assist people to access and exercise their right to be heard and treated fairly before the law.
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Foster relationships that have regard for the difference, rights and traditions of all.
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Maintain open, transparent and professional practices that instil confidence and inspire trust in the law and our services.
Our People
Tabatha Young
Ross Finlayson
Mark Orchard
Simone Muller
Testimonials
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News
Meet Ms Tabatha Young
We are pleased to advise that Ms Tabatha Young, a well-respected Aboriginal woman and human service professional, has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer, with AFLSSQ. Tabatha began her career as a Cadet with the Department of Communities (DOCs), where she worked in the areas of family wellbeing and youth justice. From there, she went Read more about Meet Ms Tabatha Young[…]
Sad News From AFLSSQ
It is with deep regret that we inform you of the passing of Ms Susan Hamilton, former AFLSSQ Chief Executive Officer. Ms Hamilton passed away on Sunday 30 December 2018. We extend our deepest sympathies to Ms Hamilton’s family and community on this sad news. No words can adequately express our immense gratitude to Ms Read more about Sad News From AFLSSQ[…]
Becoming a Silent Elector
I need to keep my address private, what can I do? Becoming a silent elector is an option for electors who are experiencing domestic violence. You can apply to register as a silent elector if you believe having your address on the electoral roll would put you or your family’s safety at risk. If you are granted Read more about Becoming a Silent Elector[…]
RUBY Rise Up Be Yourself
What’s RUBY? RUBY Rise Up Be Yourself is a free physical fitness program for women affected by Domestic Violence. The RUBY program empowers women by building their physical strength and contributing to their general well-being and confidence. The program is unique. It gives women a different outlet and tools to combat the cycle of domestic violence Read more about RUBY Rise Up Be Yourself[…]
Hip Hop Helps Stop DV
Hip Hop Helps – a growing number of young people are using Hip Hop music to raise awareness about domestic violence. Young people like ARIA award winning, Australian Hip Hop artist Illy is placing the issue centre stage, with his new song, Back Around. Created for the Queensland’s Government’s Stop the Hurting – End Domestic Violence campaign, Back Read more about Hip Hop Helps Stop DV[…]
Southern Queensland
Areas in Southern Queensland The Southern Queensland Region is a custom region made up of the 12 Local Government Areas (LGAs): (1) Balonne (S); (2) Bulloo (S); (3) Cherbourg (S); (4) Goondiwindi (R); (5) Maranoa (R); (6) Murweh (S); (7) Paroo (S); (8) Quilpie (S); (9) South Burnett (R); (10) Southern Downs (R); (11) Toowoomba (R); and (12) Western Downs (R). Our region covers 405,671.3 square kilometres, Read more about Southern Queensland[…]
Meet Our Chair Cheryl Lang
Meet our Chair Cheryl Lang. Ms Cheryl Lang leads our Board of Directors. She is a highly-regarded leader in the broader Indigenous community and has a long history of experience in community service, health and wellbeing, and domestic violence. On any given day, you can find Ms Cheryl Lang hard at work with the team Read more about Meet Our Chair Cheryl Lang[…]
Partnership with UQ
Aborignal Family Legal Service Southern Queensland (AFLSSQ) is delighted to be working in partnership with the University of Queensland (UQ) through its TC Beirne School of Law’s Pro Bono Centre. The Centre is a nationally recognised leader in the development, promotion and provision of student pro bono legal services. We look forward to welcoming the Read more about Partnership with UQ[…]
Keeping Language Alive
Keeping language alive is important for Indigneous communities – this is why ‘Our Languages Matter’ was choosen as the theme for NAIDOC this year. NAIDOC, which stands for National Aboriginal and Islanders Day of Observance Committee, is celebrated annually during the first full week of July. It’s a week when we come together to celebrate Aboriginal and Read more about Keeping Language Alive[…]
Legal Admin Officer AFLSSQ
Aboriginal Family Legal Service Southern Queensland (AFLSSQ) is seeking to recruit a legal admin officer into the organisation, which is located in Roma around 480 km west of Brisbane. AFLSSQ prides itself on providing culturally appropriate legal services and assistance to Indigenous (i.e., Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) people, families and communities of Southern Queensland. Read more about Legal Admin Officer AFLSSQ[…]
DV Work Aware
DV Work Aware DV Work Aware is a program of the National Working Women’s Centres that has been developed to raise awareness and promote best practice responses to issues of domestic and family violence in the workplace. The key objectives of the program are to: increase knowledge and awareness of domestic and family violence as a workplace Read more about DV Work Aware[…]
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is when one person in a relevant relationship with another person is: physically or sexually abusive; or emotionally or psychologically abusive; or economically abusive; or threatening; or coercive; or in any other way controls or dominates or causes the other person to fear for their own (or someone else’s) personal safety or wellbeing. Read more about Domestic Violence[…]
Stars Shining Brightly
Stars shining brightly is happening in Roma. Roma is one of a number of communities involved in the One Million Stars to End Violence: Weaving Communities of Courage to End Violence project. The project is a peaceful global weaving project that encourages people to be the light and kindness they want to see in the Read more about Stars Shining Brightly[…]
Funding Legal Services
Funding Legal Services for Our Most Vulnerable According to a media release from the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion, the Turnbull Government has made a commitment to funding legal services with an additional $55.7 million over the next three years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services ($16.7 million) and Community Legal Read more about Funding Legal Services […]
Meet Ms Susan Hamilton
Meet Ms Susan Hamilton, the CEO at AFLSSQ. A traditional community woman, Susan has dedicated her life to the betterment of Australia’s First People. She began her legal career as Associate to Justice DA Mullins, Supreme Court of Queensland. From there, she went on to work as a: Legal Officer with the Office of the Read more about Meet Ms Susan Hamilton[…]
We Are Hiring
Positions We are hiring for three positions: 1 Counsellor/Social Worker position, 1 Client Support Worker position and 1 Court Support Worker position. Applications close on 30 April 2018. Location: Roma Incumbent: Reports to Chief Executive Officer Reviewed by: CEO Review date: July 2018 Approved by: Chief Executive Officer Next review: In line with Performance Appraisal Read more about We Are Hiring[…]
Indigenous FVPLS
Family Violence Prevention Legal Services Indigenous FVPLS are Family Violence Prevention Legal Services that are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled organisations. FVPLS are unique, experienced and specialist service providers delivering culturally safe legal and non-legal services within which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is acknowledged and celebrated. FVPLS provide legal assistance, casework, Read more about Indigenous FVPLS[…]
Inaugural Research Work
A United Voice In June 2016, AFLSSQ took part in inaugural research work with the National Association of Community Legal Centres (NACLC) and Community Legal Centres Queensland. Photo: Attendees at the Research Partnerships Roundtable, Community Legal Centres Queensland Community Legal Centres Queensland Inc is the peak body for community legal centres in Queensland and Read more about Inaugural Research Work[…]
Our Peak National Body
Our Peak National Body – NACLC Our peak national body, the National Asociation of Community Legal Centres (NACLC), was established for the public charitable purpose of assisting disadvantaged and marginalised people in the Australian community with obtaining access to legal services. This includes, but is not limited to: supporting and assisting Community Legal Centres (CLCs) Read more about Our Peak National Body[…]
Our Indigenous Business
Our Indigenous business, over the period 2016-2017, was with volunteers from ResearchCrowd. ResearchCrowd is a Supply Nation accredited Indigenous organisation that specialises in Indigenous research in Australia. Thank you ResearchCrowd! As a not-for-profit organisation, we rely heavily on the assistance we receive. If you are interested in volunteering at AFLSSQ we would welcome your help. Please contact Read more about Our Indigenous Business[…]
Our National Treasure
A National Treasure in the Pursuit of Justice Gaining a national treasure was a feat for AFLSSQ. Before joining AFLSSQ our CEO Ms Susan Hamilton gained recognition as someone of whom our country is very proud. Susan became the first Torres Strait Islander to serve as a barrister in the High Court of Australia, and Read more about Our National Treasure[…]