Star Aussie lawyer Sophie Trevitt dies from brain cancer

An award-winning human rights lawyer, known for her work with First Nations children, has died of brain cancer.

She continued her work fighting for to keep Aboriginal children out of the criminal justice system despite having the cancer.

Award-winning human rights lawyer Sophie Trevitt has lost her battle with brain cancer.

Ms Trevitt died peacefully on Thursday morning after living with a “horrific” brain tumour for nine months, a spokesperson said.

“To the uncountable everyone that loved her and were inspired by her: this little legend, this total legend, the kindest, the bravest, the most ridiculous, the best, our hero, our most precious one,” her social media page read.

She continued her work fighting for to keep Aboriginal children out of the criminal justice system despite having cancer.

Friends said she passed peacefully “in the calm morning moments” on Thursday.

“Tenacious and concerned for others even in her hardest times, she would want little fuss – except if it could somehow inspire you to make to a difference to the world and the people within it.”

The Canberran’s death comes just over a month after she was announced as the 2023 winner of Liberty Victoria’s Human Rights Award for her work to keep Indigenous children out of prison.

Ms Trevitt was the executive director of Change the Record, the only national Aboriginal-led justice coalition that works to end the incarceration against Indigenous Australians.

Before her time at Change the Record, she also worked as a youth solicitor at the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency in Alice Springs and was heavily involved with the Greens.

During her work as a lawyer in Alice Springs, Ms Trevitt worked tirelessly to help children as young as 11 avoid spending time in prison.

“I have never seen a child enter a youth detention centre and come out better,” Ms Trevitt told the Guardian.

“What I have seen is children who didn’t appear to have mental health issues before they entered the youth detention centre come out … extremely traumatised.”

Friends said she battled the horror illness "with the wisdom of a sage".

Social media has flooded with tributes to Ms Trevitt, describing her as a “powerful advocate” and “darling friend”.

“Such a loss and such brutal unfairness to lose Sophie like this. Her work on raise the age and getting kids out of prison has been groundbreaking,” Greens senator David Shoebridge wrote on Twitter.

“Soph devoted her life to the pursuit of justice. She was a fearless climate campaigner, a lawyer, a leading and inspirational advocate for young Aboriginal people,” former Greens leader Christine Milne said.

“Sophie was extraordinary. The blueprint for commitment to justice, for allyship, for true, good, selfless work,” activist Sally Rugg wrote.

“The world can be so arbitrary and unfair sometimes. She was one of the absolute best,” Greens MP for Melbourne Ellen Sandell said.

Lawyer Sophie Trevitt has been remembered as "one of the best" following her death. Supplied/ Instagram

Many charities and organisations have also expressed their condolences for the young lawyer.

“We’re deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sophie Trevitt after a brave battle with cancer. Sophie worked tirelessly to address the injustice facing First Peoples,” Oxfam wrote on social media.

“We honour Sophie’s incredible life and immense contributions to human rights. We wish Sophie’s loved ones courage and peace,” Australian Lawyers for Human Rights said.

A memorial will be held in Canberra in the coming days.