A single mother facing a divorce matter attends Family Court, feeling anxious and isolated. 

With limited English proficiency and no social support, she finds solace in the emotional support and guidance provided by a Court Network volunteer. 

Accompanied by the volunteer during her hearing, she receives assistance in navigating the court process and accessing necessary resources and referrals to address her safety concerns and risk of homelessness. 

Navigating the complexities of the legal system can be daunting, especially for those without adequate support and family or friends to support. 

In times of legal uncertainty, having a helping hand can make all the difference. That’s where the Court Network’s In-Court Support Service steps in, offering vital non-legal support, information, referrals, and advocacy to individuals in need. 

The backbone of that service is its dedicated volunteers. 

Meet Annie, facing an unexpected early retirement due to health reasons, who found herself searching for a new sense of purpose. 

Feeling unfulfilled after leaving behind her impactful professional role, she longed to contribute meaningfully to her community once more. It was during this period of transition that Annie stumbled upon Court Network. 

Driven by a desire to make a difference and reignite her passion for service, Annie submitted her expression of interest to volunteer with Court Network in June 2022. 

The decision wasn’t easy for Annie, as retirement wasn’t a choice she welcomed. She had dedicated herself to purposeful work as the CEO of a not-for-profit organisation and the sudden shift to retirement left her grappling with a sense of loss and uncertainty. 

However, Annie’s journey took a positive turn when she was selected to join the In-Court and Telephone Service team after completing the application process. 

As she embarked on her training, Annie’s enthusiasm and passion for the role became evident to those around her. She dove into discussions with candor and depth, exploring the complexities of impartiality, empathy, and unconscious bias with her fellow trainees. 

During her training, Annie’s eagerness to learn and connect led her to forge meaningful relationships with her peers, particularly the young lawyers who brought fresh perspectives and insights from their academic studies.  

Annie is now a fully trained and graduated Court Networker who provides invaluable and thoughtful support. 

Her journey with Court Network has not only reignited her sense of purpose but has also provided her with a platform to engage with her community in a meaningful and impactful way once again. 

Annie's story serves as a testament to the transformative power of volunteering and the profound impact it can have on individuals like her seeking to make a difference. 

If you are proactive, a “people person”, passionate about improving access to justice, and are wanting to volunteer one day per week, the Court Network would love to hear from you. 

The Network is recruiting for volunteers in the Brisbane location of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia as part of Court Networks’ Safety Net Program. 

Court Network is a not-for-profit community organisation that has been funded in Victoria and Queensland to support court users through its hundreds of trained and experienced volunteers. It has been in operation for 40 years.  

You can submit an application by clicking here.  

To enquire about volunteering in Brisbane, email the Program Coordinator: jessica@courtnetwork.com.au 

Not able to volunteer, but interested to access support for a Family Court matter? Make a referral online here or call 1800 571 239.