Australia Day Honours List recognises Townsville solicitor William Mitchell with OAM
Forging an illustrious career in the law industry has seen a Townsville solicitor honoured with a prestigious award on Australia Day.
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Forging an illustrious career in the law has seen a Townsville solicitor honoured with a prestigious award on Australia Day.
William Mitchell has dedicated the past three decades of his life helping people navigate the world of civil and family law.
Mr Mitchell has been recognised on the Australia Day 2020 Honours List for his exceptional achievement in the community with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
The Medal of the Order of Australia is the highest recognition for outstanding achievement and service in the country.
Mr Mitchell was born in Sydney and grew up in Townsville from a young age and attended Kirwan State High School.
Mr Mitchell was among the first law graduates from JCU in 1991 and was the first admitted solicitor from Townsville in 1992.
The South Townsville resident currently works at Townsville Community Law as the principal solicitor.
Mr Mitchell said he was overwhelmed to be honoured alongside other outstanding Australians.
“It feels awesome and I am happy to be compared with JT because I think he is a brilliant role model for young people and he is a local who has stayed here so I feel honoured,” he said.
“I admire anyone in the community who puts the hard work in to get that recognition no matter what you do whether you are a footy player or an aged care provider.”
Mr Mitchell said the Australia Day Honours List was an opportunity to pay tribute to unsung heroes.
“It is picking out ordinary people who have been doing extraordinary things who normally would not get recognised or heard about otherwise,” he said.
The father of one has spent the past seven years advocating for the rights of older persons with the United Nations in New York.
He has won numerous awards including Outstanding Alumni at JCU in 2012 and was awarded the Community Legal Centre Member of the Year 2019 for the Queensland Law Society.
The 49-year-old said making a difference in people’s lives is what he treasured about his work.
“Helping people who are vulnerable and to be part of resolving their legal issues is the best part of my job because all people can’t afford a lawyer,” he said.
Mr Mitchell said he would spend Australia Day with his mates and think about the true meaning of the date.
“It’s a celebration and being thoughtful and contemplating what has happened to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” he said.
“It is a day of mixed emotions but a day that makes us think about ourselves as Australians and our past and future.”
Another Townsville citizen was also recognised on the Australia Day 2020 Honours List.
Steven Barber was given a Meritorious award for his 35 years of service as a fire officer with the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.
Mr Mitchell will be formally presented with his medal at a ceremony later this year.
Originally published as Australia Day Honours List recognises Townsville solicitor William Mitchell with OAM