[CDU eNews] - TOP LAW STUDENT HONOURED AT CDU

[Peter.Hurt at cdu.edu.au]

Colleen awarded top law prize

Colleen Elizabeth Atkinson last night was awarded the prestigious
Attorney-General's Medal for the most outstanding graduate of the School of
Law and Business at Charles Darwin University.

She received the award from Mr Richard Coates, the Chief Executive of the
Department of Justice on behalf of the Minister for Justice Dr Peter Toyne
at a presentation night at the Supreme Court yesterday.

Ms Atkinson is currently a complaints officer and mediator with the Office
of the Information Commissioner and is studying for a postgraduate diploma
in legal practice.

 "Last year Colleen received a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours,
and the CDU's School of Law and Business has named her as the top law
student, a great accomplishment," Dr Toyne said.

"She attained 13 high distinctions and 10 distinctions in her degree and
her Honours thesis - 'We don't want your kind here. Or here. Try the other
place.' - dealt with the unlawful termination of employment and
discrimination.

"It combined Colleen's social work background with industrial relations and
legal studies expertise.

"She is currently doing her post graduate diploma in legal practice and is
working hard for the Information Commissioner - it's a fantastic coup for
the Northern Territory that such talent remains in the NT."

Previous winners of the Medal have been Pippa Rudd (2003), Heather Ross,
Craig Smyth, Tanya Ling and Amy Williamson.

The other major award, the Supreme Court Medal, was awarded to Kathleen
Clark.

This medal is awarded to the student who has demonstrated outstanding
professional promise through scholarship, character and leadership.
Kathleen was also awarded prizes for professional responsibility,
corporations law,  and intellectual property law.

Other prizewinners were Ivana Biorci (three), Ian McMinn (two), Victoria
Hirst (two), Annette Tabke (two), Damien Jones (two), David Thomas, Karl
Hell,  Ann Holland, Simon Wiese, Rachael Schaefer, Philip Storey, Melanie
Warbrooke, Travis Wurst, Gregory Betts, Deborah Hewitt and Iain Summers.


Peter Hurt
Media Manager
Charles Darwin University
Tel: 08 8946 6019 or 0438 466 439

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