Caxton Hall of Fame

The Caxton Hall of Fame recognises those outstanding volunteers who have contributed significantly to Caxton Legal Centre.

The Caxton Hall of Fame Award was initiated in 2006 at the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Centre. The Award recognises outstanding volunteers who have:

contributed significantly to the achievement of the Centre’s mission; or
played a critical role in the Centre’s establishment and/or development; or
demonstrated a long-term commitment to the Centre; or
played an advisory or mentoring role to Caxton staff and/or volunteers.

This year there were 14 volunteers nominated for the award. The judging panel – comprised solely of Hall of Fame inductees – limited the award to just 4 outstanding volunteers.

Caxton Legal Centre was honoured to have the Hall of Fame awards presented at our 40th Anniversary celebrations by Chief Justice Catherine Holmes.

Michael Cope

Michael has served as a regular volunteer at Caxton Legal Centre since 1 December 1985. He has for more than 30 years proven to be a reliable volunteer lawyer of the Centre and a provider of high quality advice to Caxton’s clients.

In 2014, Michael participated in the G20 Independent Legal Observers Project and in his role as President of the Queensland Council of Civil Liberties helped co-produce the “Police Powers: Your Rights” booklet – which happens to be the most popular publication on Caxton’s website averaging about a 1000 downloads every week.

Michael Cope receiving his award from Chief Justice Catherine Holmes

Robert Stevenson

Robert has volunteered at Caxton since 1992 and is a highly valued provider of much sort after employment law advice.

In 2010 Robert stunned Caxton staff with his selflessness when after suffering significant injuries in a motor bike accident he returned almost immediately to the volunteer roster despite a huge backload of work in his own private practice.

Scott McDougall receiving Robert Stevenson's award from Chief Justice Catherine Holmes — Scott McDougall receiving Robert Stevenson’s award from Chief Justice Catherine Holmes

Stuart Unwin

Stuart Unwin has been volunteering at Caxton for his entire legal career, almost 20 years. He was nominated by Caxton’s General Practice Team of lawyers who said the following:

“We cannot remember him making a mistake. He is gentlemanly to clients, gracious to staff when we phone him for help, generous to students. Stuart and his ilk are the backbone of this organisation. If our primary pursuit as an organisation is unlocking the law for people in their moment of crisis Stuart is our hero.”

Stuart Unwin receiving his award from Chief Justice Catherine Holmes

Mark Thomas

Mark Thomas’ involvement with the Centre started in 1998 as a volunteer mature age law student. He is the current President of Caxton, a position he has held since 2003. In addition to this Mark has played key roles on the boards of Prisoners Legal Service and the LGBTI Legal Service.

The value of Mark’s in-kind contribution to the centre over nearly two decades is inestimable – as a former economist – if he applied himself to the task he would likely find that it runs into several million dollars – but even that would not do justice to the impact he has had in supporting and mentoring Caxton’s staff and leading Caxton’s management committee in their wise stewardship of the organisation.