This week we surprise you with a special bonus episode of ‘Tilé and Olly Meets’ podcast where we meet Terry Stedman, or Uncle Terry to his mob and family. Terry is a First Nations and Kamilaroi award winning lawyer who wears many hats in his community and in the legal sector. In this episode, he shares about some of his work, his previous life as a plumber and in corrective services where he also served as a commissioner for a period of time. Terry has an atypical entry point into law, in fact he had multiple entry points into the law, all of which are a great reminder of how law intersects with various parts of our everyday lives and that the study or practice of law should be accessible for all whom want to partake in our great profession.

Terry has enjoyed a wide range of life experiences, simultaneously devoting enormous time and energy to the community. Terry has served on numerous boards throughout his career, including time with Welfare Rights Qld (now Basic Rights) and the Stolen Wages committee with DATSIP. Terry was awarded twice at the 2018 Queensland Law Society Awards, and received both the Community Legal Centre Member of the Year and the Equity Advocate Award for his service to the community. Terry currently works as a seniors legal advice service solicitor and serves as duty lawyer in the domestic violence and family Courts.

We could have talked to Terry for hours – and this was reflected in that we continued to chat for another hour or so after we turned off our microphones.