Gadens has signed on as the Official Legal Partner of the Former Origin Greats (FOGS).
The partnership was announced on the eve of tomorrow night’s final game in the 2018 State of Origin series to be played at Suncorp Stadium.
“Gadens is a firm with international reach, but our Brisbane office is proudly owned by Queenslanders and it was an easy decision when the opportunity arose to assist the FOGS,” said Paul Spiro, Gadens Queensland and National Chairman.
“State of Origin is one the most iconic brands in the Australian sporting landscape and it is a privilege to give back to the community through our pro bono program.
“Gadens prides itself on supporting both Indigenous law interns and local Indigenous artists and we see exciting synergies with the ARTIE Academy run by the FOGS.”
The ARTIE Academy (Achieving Results Through Indigenous Education) assists to ‘close the gap’ in educational outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and their non-Indigenous peers.
Founded in 2010 and named in honour of the most significant FOGS, Arthur Beetson OAM, the ARTIE Academy provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students attending Queensland State Schools the opportunity to participate in a program that encourages and rewards improvements in school attendance, behaviour, academic achievement, effort and ultimately Year 12 attainment or its equivalent.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced an additional $1m in new funding for the ARTIE Academy last weekend as part of the Government’s $5 billion Indigenous Advancement Strategy.
FOGS Executive Chairman Gene Miles said: “The ARTIE Academy is more than just an education program – it is a living testament to the first Indigenous captain of an Australian sporting team.”
Miles, a former Brisbane Broncos captain who played 23 State of Origin games for the mighty Maroons, is delighted to have Gadens as part of the FOGS family.
“Gadens has a first-rate track record as a law firm and they’re highly respected for being an excellent corporate citizen,” he said.
