NEWCASTLE lawyer Catherine Henry has received a national civil justice award for "effectively and tirelessly" using the law to support and advance human rights in Australia.
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Ms Henry was presented with the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA) Civil Justice Award in Canberra on Friday.
Previous winners of the award have included Eddie Mabo, former prime minister Malcolm Fraser, Andrew Wilkie MP, and co-founder of the National Justice Project, George Newhouse.
The award recognises the dedication, commitment and perseverance of individuals and organisations to social justice and human rights in Australia.
Ms Henry, of Catherine Henry Lawyers, has been a long time advocate for women, for health law reform, aged care law reform and improvements to health care and aged care delivery.
She has championed issues including the campaigns to decriminalise abortion in NSW, and for action on vaginal mesh.
Graham Droppert SC, the national president of the ALA said Ms Henry was recognised for using her skills and expertise to advocate for vulnerable people.
"Using common law litigation and consumer law remedies backed up by public advocacy, Catherine's work has contributed to positive reform in aged care and health services," Mr Droppert said. "Catherine has been an advocate for the rights of older Australians living in aged care and a public campaigner for reform of the aged care sector for the past decade. It is pleasing to see reforms Catherine has been calling for, such as changes to the Aged Care Act, have been acknowledged by the Aged Care Royal Commission."
Ms Henry said the award was a "great honour".
"I was blown away. It still feels a little surreal," she said. "When those really eminent Australians have been recognised with this award, you have to feel it is a huge honour.
"It is recognition of all the work - the really important work - we do at the firm, and a lot of if it is very difficult and takes a long time and involves personal sacrifice.
"So when you do get recognition, it is good for me personally, but it is also a testament to those who support me at the office."
Ms Henry said she had always chosen to give assistance to people she perceived to be most vulnerable. She believed the law should be used as a tool to improve our society and community.
"It is really difficult, but even after all this time, I find it extremely rewarding. It is important that people are held accountable when they do wrong. People learn from being held to account.
"That is what continues to keep me very engaged in this work, and help others. I think this award will fire me up, and keep me firing."
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Anita Beaumont
Anita Beaumont is a health and general news reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
Anita Beaumont is a health and general news reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
