Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre --- "Koora Kudidj Indigenous Pre - Law Programme" [2002] IndigLawB 2; (2002) 5(14) Indigenous Law Bulletin 4

Koora Kudidj Indigenous Pre-Law Programme

12 Indigenous students now have a more realistic idea of what it will be like to study for their law degree thanks to a special pre-law course known as 'Koora Kudidj' (Nyungar for 'Learn Before'), conducted by Murdoch University’s Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre and the School of Law. The intensive four-week course exposes students to a range of law subjects and other skills such as university studies, library and computing skills, and research techniques. Successful graduates are admitted to the Bachelor of Laws or the Bachelor of Legal Studies programmes. This is the third year the course has been run. As Acting Director of the Kulbardi Centre Glen Stasiuk said, ‘it was an excellent opportunity for students to find the level of studies they wished to pursue, as well as being a great introduction to university life.’ The course has attracted students from a wide range of cultural and educational backgrounds. According to Lecturer Stephanie Monck, ‘Indigenous people have a variety of reasons for wanting to study law, ranging from a desire to understand how the Australian legal system functions and the impact it has upon their communities, to how they can best utilise that knowledge to bring about positive changes for their people and their communities.’

The Kulbardi Centre is proud to offer three programmes to the community:

• The Diploma in University Studies programme (one-year bridging course) has produced over 20 graduates in the past three years. All graduates have successfully conducted further studies or gained employment.
• The Koora Kudidj Indigenous pre-law programme has been responsible for over 18 students studying in either law or legal studies in the past two years in the Murdoch School of Law.
• The Kulbardi Kadjininy programme offers both Indigenous and non-Indigenous persons the opportunity to learn and study the proud culture and language of the Nyungar people and region.

To our friends and supporters

The Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre – Murdoch University – wishes to thank you and your organisation for continual support of our centre and our students. If you require further information please do not hesitate to contact Wendy Sharp on [phone].

The Staff and Students of the Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre