DETERMINED TO BETTER THE FUTURE

The University of Western Australia celebrated its recent graduates, students from all areas of study wore their graduation gowns and through their mortarboard hats to commemorate their achievements. Amongst the very intelligent crowd was Nyangumarta woman, Sophie Coffin who graduated with the post-graduate degree, the Juris Doctor, making her dreams a reality.

Sophie in graduation attire at UWA Graduation Ceremony

Sophie is a country girl at heart from the Pilbara, who spend 6 years at the University of Western Australia in Perth determined to succeed in her studies, completing her undergraduate degree and majoring in both Law and Society and Indigenous Studies.  Majoring in a law undergraduate degree allowed Sophie to enter the Jurist Doctor, to further her knowledge of the legal system, sharpening her skills to practice law.

Moving to Perth was challenging for Sophie who mentioned her grandparents. northwest breeze.

“think about my grandparents and all the sacrifices they made, and they were never able to have tertiary education, or even got the chance to go high school. So to be able to study at that level, I just felt so privileged and I wanted to do that for them’. Her grandparents limited privileged was a big inspiration and motivation.”

Sophie attending graduation cermeony

Creating change for her people within the legal system is Sophie’s objective as a new lawyer and she wants to give back to her people.

“I really wanted to have the most impact I can for the people in our communities. And I felt like the law was the best way to do that. Because there are so many areas of our lives as Aboriginal people that are affected by loss, native title or stolen wages, stolen children, and the list continues.”

Covering multiple sectors of law, Sophie has been captivated by Intellectual Property Law and would love to work on cases that affect aboriginal people.

“Intellectual property law. And that's something I really want to go into, to protect Aboriginal artists, artifacts, cultural sites, online, everything to do with culture, because I'm just passionate about exploitation and learning about that part of the law. I felt like, that's something I'd really like to work in and make a difference for our people because I don't see enough change in that area.”

Sophie Coffin has dedicated her Juris Doctrine to her grandparents.