This year’s Social Justice Dinner was our first as the Justice and Equity Centre. As we celebrated our achievements with allies and supporters, we reflected on our 40+-year legacy of social justice work as the Public Interest Advocacy Centre and reaffirmed our commitment to continuing that legacy.
As our CEO Jonathon Hunyor remarked on the night, our new name is not merely a rebrand: ‘The Justice and Equity Centre speaks to our vision for a society that is fair and free from discrimination and disadvantage. It reflects our evolution as an organisation, our clarity of focus and our drive to be at the forefront of social justice.’
Our guest speaker Cassandra Goldie AO, CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service, reflected on what it means to be at the front lines of the fight for social justice in an expansive conversation with our host, the ABC’s Craig Reucassel.
‘It’s really important not to turn away from what’s going on [in our society] and sugarcoat the truth of what people are experiencing… We are the majority of people who want a decent society and a caring community. But you’ve got to fight for it.’
Cassandra spoke about an early experience fighting for justice as a young lawyer. When 500 people were arrested at the Jabiluka protests, she was the only solicitor there on the day – and later watched as typically tough Northern Territory magistrates were swayed by the arguments of protestors as they were hauled through the courts over weeks.
‘We had these activists standing up in magistrate courts, and they talked about saving the planet, and they talked about the rights of First Nations people. By the end of it, these Magistrates would try to get these guys out of trouble, because they fell in love with them.’
‘That was the last time the coppers arrested 500 people on one day.’
Cassandra also spoke to her personal experience of being discriminated against: ‘You’d never choose this experience, but I tell you what, it builds empathy for when it happens to others.’
It was this building of empathy that Cassandra emphasised as the job of those fighting for social justice.
‘People who are frightened can turn inward – and turn away. And that’s the rise of fascism and fear. We’ve got to elevate the voices and experiences of people – because that’s how we build empathy.’
Cassandra ended with a resonant message for everyone looking to maintain their hope and positivity in the face of adversity.
‘What we’re going to do is continue to choose to care. And have fun!’
The evening’s atmosphere of generosity of spirit, solidarity and fun was encapsulated by the standout performer in our Silent Auction – a uniquely bedazzled JEC t-shirt, which sold for $2,500. Thank you to everyone who attended on the night, and to our wider community for their support year round.
Social Justice Dinner 2025: celebrating the power of our community
This year’s Social Justice Dinner was our first as the Justice and Equity Centre. As we celebrated our achievements with allies and supporters, we reflected on our 40+-year legacy of social justice work as the Public Interest Advocacy Centre and reaffirmed our commitment to continuing that legacy.
As our CEO Jonathon Hunyor remarked on the night, our new name is not merely a rebrand: ‘The Justice and Equity Centre speaks to our vision for a society that is fair and free from discrimination and disadvantage. It reflects our evolution as an organisation, our clarity of focus and our drive to be at the forefront of social justice.’
Our guest speaker Cassandra Goldie AO, CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service, reflected on what it means to be at the front lines of the fight for social justice in an expansive conversation with our host, the ABC’s Craig Reucassel.
‘It’s really important not to turn away from what’s going on [in our society] and sugarcoat the truth of what people are experiencing… We are the majority of people who want a decent society and a caring community. But you’ve got to fight for it.’
Cassandra spoke about an early experience fighting for justice as a young lawyer. When 500 people were arrested at the Jabiluka protests, she was the only solicitor there on the day – and later watched as typically tough Northern Territory magistrates were swayed by the arguments of protestors as they were hauled through the courts over weeks.
‘We had these activists standing up in magistrate courts, and they talked about saving the planet, and they talked about the rights of First Nations people. By the end of it, these Magistrates would try to get these guys out of trouble, because they fell in love with them.’
‘That was the last time the coppers arrested 500 people on one day.’
Cassandra also spoke to her personal experience of being discriminated against: ‘You’d never choose this experience, but I tell you what, it builds empathy for when it happens to others.’
It was this building of empathy that Cassandra emphasised as the job of those fighting for social justice.
‘People who are frightened can turn inward – and turn away. And that’s the rise of fascism and fear. We’ve got to elevate the voices and experiences of people – because that’s how we build empathy.’
Cassandra ended with a resonant message for everyone looking to maintain their hope and positivity in the face of adversity.
‘What we’re going to do is continue to choose to care. And have fun!’
The evening’s atmosphere of generosity of spirit, solidarity and fun was encapsulated by the standout performer in our Silent Auction – a uniquely bedazzled JEC t-shirt, which sold for $2,500. Thank you to everyone who attended on the night, and to our wider community for their support year round.
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