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Allens Arthur Robinson

Sponsorships & community activities

Allens Arthur Robinson believes it has a role to play in the wider community and takes this wider role very seriously.

Here is some information on the initiatives Allens is currently involved in which are aimed at assisting women in different ways.

The Inaugural Australian Women Lawyers Conference

Allens was a major sponsor of the Inaugural Australian Women Lawyers Conference, held in Sydney, 29-30 September 2006. The theme of the conference was Celebrating Excellence, highlighting the success women are achieving within the Australian legal profession. The conference addressed topics of interest to women, as well as human rights and areas of corporate law.

The keynote speaker for the conference was the Honourable Mary Gaudron QC and Allens Partner Maryjane Crabtree was a speaker in the Corporate Governance stream.

For more information on the conference, go to http://dcconferences.com.au/awl/.

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Victorian Women Lawyers

Allens is a sponsor of Victorian Women Lawyers (VWL), a group that aims to assist female lawyers in achieving a satisfying, successful professional life.

VWL's projects have included producing a report on flexible work arrangements at the partnership level, hosting a conference on implementing cultural change in law firms, playing a role in the development of law and policy affecting women in the profession, making submissions to governments and other bodies, and producing a quarterly magazine, Portia.

Allens is proud that its sponsorship of VWL contributes to their success in these areas.

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The Peace Scholarship Program

After being approached by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), to date Allens has contributed $5,000 to the Peace Scholarship Program to bring two Afghan female law students to study in Australia for 12 months. This Program is an initiative of IDP Education, Australia. IDP is Australia's international education organisation which is owned by all of Australia's universities.

This is an invaluable opportunity that the firm is pleased to be able to support. It will not only facilitate global exchange and understanding, but will impact in the long term on the place women have in Afghan society. These scholarships began in July 2005 and run until the end of December 2006.

For further information and brief biographies of the women can be viewed on IDP's website.

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Allens pro bono work

Our pro bono practice is consistently growing due to the enthusiasm of partners and staff.

Allens criteria for pro bono work is relatively broad, to reflect our commitment to people in need and to causes that benefit the community, including the natural world. The firm also undertakes work that will improve laws or the administration of the legal system, to encourage equity and justice.

Allens is also a member firm of PILCH (Public Interest Law Clearing House) in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, from which we accept a number of referrals.

We also enjoy a solid relationship with both the Fitzroy Legal Service in Melbourne and Passages Youth Centre in Perth. We support these two groups by supplying lawyers on secondment, sponsoring articled clerks (by payment of wages) and participating in special projects.

Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA)

ABA is an organisation of people interested in the promotion and protection of breastfeeding. Their main aim is to support mothers through a help line that is available 365 days per year. ABA's breastfeeding counsellors help thousands of mothers every year. As breastfeeding mothers themselves, they know that breastfeeding may not always seem easy. Their experience can reassure new mothers and give them the knowledge to understand how breastfeeding works.

If you would like further information regarding ABA, please go to the ABA website using this link: www.breastfeeding.asn.au.

The firm has provided ABA with trade mark advice and has reviewed their constitution.

Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF)

OCRF has been established to foster research into ovarian cancer - a disease which in Australia claims the life of one woman every 10 hours and often remains undetected until in its advanced stages. OCRF is a collaboration between Monash Medical Centre and Prince Henry's Institute for Medical Research in Melbourne. Its founding partner and principal sponsor is National Australia Bank.

OCRF's goals and objectives are:

  1. to improve the mortality rate, management and long term survival of women with ovarian cancer;
  2. to develop and implement an early detection program;
  3. to raise community awareness of the symptoms and importance of early detection.

OCRF silver fundraising ribbons are sold in national Witchery stores and donations can be made at any National Australia Bank outlet.

For information about ovarian cancer and also the activities of OCRF, go to: www.ocrf.com.au.

Allens provides pro bono assistance to OCRF by maintaining its annual registration in each State and territory.

United Nations Development Fund for Women Australia (UNIFEM)

UNIFEM is a non-profit organisation dedicated to righting the balance. UNIFEM was created as the voluntary fund for the united nations decade for women. Since 1976, UNIFEM has worked to help improve the living standards of women in developing countries and to address their concerns.

Our tax department is currently assisting them in obtaining tax deductibility status.

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Allens Charity Committee

The Allens Charity Committee is made up of partners and staff from offices around Australia, allowing a coordinated national approach. The Committee seeks out and considers proposals for financial support from Australian charitable organisations. The Committee's general approach is to focus its resources on a small number of significant projects.?

Alongside our support of specific projects, there are the individual contributions of time and skill by partners and staff as office bearers of many charitable organisations. These include hospitals, schools and many other community groups.?

The firm derives enormous satisfaction from its involvement with charities, and we are proud of our association with them. For more information please see the Allens in the community area.