Spotlight on 1978 Domremy alumna – The Honourable Justice Yehia
In this Issue we shine a light on the impressive and rich career of one of Domremy’s alumnae, The Honourable Justice Yehia of the Supreme Court of NSW. Justice Dina Yehia was appointed to the NSW Supreme Court in July this year. Justice Yehia “… is the first person of Greek-Egyptian descent to sit on the Supreme Court of NSW” and has been described as “A fierce crusader for equity and social justice in her more than 30 years as a solicitor and barrister, NSW District Court Judge” and now, NSW Supreme Court Justice. The various Law Society Journal (LSJ) and online articles below, reveal a most impressive resume and career of Justice Yehia.
Justice Yehia migrated to Australia in 1970 not speaking English and navigated a new language and culture. After her arrival, the family settled in Five Dock and Justice Yehia was enrolled at Domremy College until the end of Year 10. Justice Yehia gave an interview to the LSJ in November 2021, and is quoted as saying “My parents were advised that the best education would be received in a Catholic school. They both considered education more important than anything else, and they were determined to ensure that their children were enrolled in schools that provided the best education.”
We have located a one-off Domremy College Yearbook from 1977, in which Justice Yehia is listed as a student in ‘Year 9 Silver’. Perhaps some of our alumnae readers may recall Justice Yehia when she was at Domremy.
Domremy College congratulates The Honourable Justice Yehia on her appointment to the Supreme Court of NSW.
“Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.”
Nelson Mandela.
Mrs Antoinette McGahan, Principal
Snapshot of Justice Yehia’s hard earned, incredible and illustrious journey to the Supreme Court of NSW
- Migrated from Egypt in 1970 at age 8 not speaking a word of English.
- Enrolled at Domremy College and left in Year 10 in 1978. Was in “Year 9 Silver” in 1977.
- Year 11 and Year 12 were spent at Burwood Girls’ High School.
- Studied and graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts/Law from the University of NSW. Subsequently completed a Masters in International Criminal Law at Sydney University.
- While studying at the College of Law in 1989, rang the Principal Solicitor of the Western Aboriginal Legal Service (WALS), from a public payphone and asked for a job. She got it!
- Was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW in 1989.
- Worked as a Solicitor Advocate with the Legal Aid Commission of NSW and the WALS representing Indigenous people for seven years from December 1989 until September 1996.
- Was called to the Bar as a barrister in August 1999.
- Was then appointed a Public Defender.
- Took silk in 2009 and became Senior Counsel.
- Became the first female Deputy Senior Public Defender in 2013.
- Worked on the committee organising the annual Public Defenders’ Conference; has presented papers on various aspects of criminal law; was invited to speak to representatives of the International Criminal Court in The Hague in 2005; has been involved in legal mentoring programs at the University of Sydney and the University of Wollongong and supervised the Public Defenders’ Aboriginal Law Graduate Program.
- Her Honour was sworn in as a Judge of the District Court of New South Wales on 5 May 2014.
- On 4 July 2022 her Honour was sworn in as a Judge of the Common Law Division of the Supreme Court of NSW.
- Her Honour is also Chair of the Ngara Yura Committee, which raises awareness amongst judicial officers in relation to Indigenous cultural and social issues. She is Chair of the the Walama Court Working Group, (Her Honour had spearheaded the Walama List in the District Court aimed at reducing Indigenous incarceration). The Walama Court Working Group has been working to establish an Indigenous sentencing court as part of the NSW District Court. She is also the Chairperson of Diverse Women in Law, an organisation which has been formed to mentor women of diverse backgrounds in the profession. She is a Council member of the Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration and the National Judicial College of Australia.
Background reading on Justice Yehia
http://www.mideast-times.com/home_news.php?newsid=15014
http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/NSWBarAssocNews/2014/46.pdf
https://lsj.com.au/articles/lunch-with-judge-yehia/
YouTube Clips
Dina Yehia in The Story Project: 40 years of the Aboriginal Legal Service – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaLoUXZ6ZE8
Welcome Ceremony for the Hon. Justice Dina Yehia, Supreme Court of NSW – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hofRfgNSVvw