Darwin, 31 August 2010: Clayton Utz's contribution to the community of the Northern Territory through its pro bono and community work with Australian Red Cross has again been acknowledged by the Northern Territory Law Society, which has awarded the firm the 2010 Ian Morris Community Contribution Award.
Australian Red Cross nominated Clayton Utz for the award for the support the firm has provided to Red Cross' NT division in launching two new community initiatives, the Anindilyakwa Art Exhibition and Red Cross Angurugu Remote Holidays Program.
Launched in May on Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Anindilyakwa Art Exhibition is a unique partnership between Clayton Utz and Red Cross to showcase the artwork of the Indigenous peoples of Groote Eylandt and provide them with a means to generate an income from sales of the artwork – a percentage of which will go towards funding Red Cross Angurugu Remote Communities Holiday Program.
Red Cross Angurugu Remote Communities Holiday Program aims to engage youth at Angurugu in meaningful activities during school holidays and giving them an opportunity to develop skills, increase their self-confidence and boost pride in themselves and their community. The Clayton Utz Foundation is an existing and proud supporter of Red Cross Angurugu Remote Communities Holiday Program, as well as its Tiwi Islands Holiday Program.
Clayton Utz Darwin managing partner Mark Spain said the office was proud of the partnership it had built with Red Cross in the Northern Territory over the last decade, which gave Clayton Utz staff the chance to give back to the community in a practical way.
"Australian Red Cross continues to undertake important initiatives to meet a need in some of Australia's most remote indigenous communities and we are humbled to be a part of that," Mr Spain said.
Clayton Utz's partnership with Red Cross incorporates pro bono legal work as well as volunteer and financial support for disadvantaged young people.
This is the second time Clayton Utz has won the Ian Morris Community Contribution Award.