PATRICK Hourigan was born way out west in Alice Springs, but spent most of his childhood in nearby Kempsey.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Growing up in the big country town, he saw the barriers faced by everyday people trying to access the legal system. It led him to pursue a career in law all the way to a solicitor’s gig with the Mid-North Coast Community Legal Centre. “I hoped that as an advocate I could help them overcome some of these barriers,” he told reporter Ben Cooper.
Were you always a studious child or a big reader?
I have always enjoyed reading, but I'll admit that at school I went through a few periods where I had other priorities than my studies.
Why is being a community legal service solicitor worthwhile?
Because I have the opportunity to provide free legal advice and advocacy for the most vulnerable people on the Mid-North Coast. It is a challenging job but immensely rewarding.
Are those in private practice missing out?
From my experience practitioners in private practice fight tirelessly for justice for their clients and get great satisfaction from it. Though I bet some of them would love to not need to send bills out to their clients at the end of the day.
Why should people consider working in a regional community?
There's such strong sense of community and we're always close to the bush and beautiful beaches.
I've been told you're a rugby player, is that correct? What stopped you from going professional?
Guilty. I play breakaway or hooker. A few people have mentioned I could do with an extra 20 or 30 kilos, but I think it is just an oversight that I haven't got the call up to wear the green and gold yet.
How should sports stars like Paul Gallen or Kurtley Beale be treated when they make mistakes in public?
It is definitely not an easy question. I think any incident has to be dealt with on a case by case basis.
What can each person do at a community level to make Australia more inclusive?
I think Australia is incredibly inclusive. The trending of the #illridewithyou hashtag after the Martin Place tragedy shows that we have a great resilience to prejudice. However, it is easy to make assumptions about people from different backgrounds based on a lack of understanding. Any way you can help people empathise with members of other communities will help foster a more inclusive society.
What would you say to those who feel cheated by the legal system?
There are a wide range of reasons a person may feel frustrated with the legal system. Often a person's frustration is born from a lack of understanding of where they stand and what their options are. I would encourage people in this situation to do some research and, if needed, get legal advice. The New South Wales Government's LawAsssist website is a great place to start.
How do you separate and unwind after a day sweating it out over paperwork?
For me the best way to clear my head after a long day in the office is to do something active.
What do you think Port Macquarie will be known for in 50 years?
Port Macquarie has positioned itself in a strong position for the future. As the town grows around institutions such as the Glasshouse and the upcoming Charles Sturt University campus I think it will develop as a major cultural, academic and economic hub between Sydney and Brisbane.