Moorditj Mia

Keeping the aims of reconciliation alive throughout the year.

Nick Malone (Convenor, The Piddington Society) and Katherine Swann (Reconciliation Coordinator, The Piddington Society).

The Piddington Society has been thinking critically about how we can make a meaningful contribution to reconciliation.

More than a couple of events each year, we want to do something substantive and continuous.

At the same time as we have been thinking about this, we have been considering how our CPD events operate. The coronavirus pandemic changed the way we did a lot of operations, and with that how we deliver CPD.

As restrictions ease, opportunities for in-person CPD increase.

Many people are familiar with our Masterclass series, a 2–3 hour session where leaders in the law come and present on particular areas that matter, like ethics, property law or mediation.

These are session we know the profession can and does rely on for current information to enhance their practice.

For about two years, Piddington has had a fruitful and stimulating relationship with Aboriginal Interpreting WA, headed by CEO Deanne Lightfoot.

Words interest lawyers, they are our tools.

The application of traditional languages is something that inherently interests us.

After consultation with Aboriginal people across Western Australia, particularly elders like George Hayden at the Noongar Language Centre and Professor Colleen Hayward from Edith Cowan University, we are pleased to announce Moorditj Mia.

Moorditj (more-ditch) is the Noongar word for hard, solid, strong — or master.

Mia (me-ah) is the Noongar word for shelter, place — or class.

With the pandemic restrictions easing, we will be announcing new Moorditj Mias, like in criminal law and family law, in the next few weeks.

Moorditj Mias will continue to bring the same high-quality, contemporary and relevant CPD sessions the profession has embraced.

We hope that this sparks conversation, thought and action to apply Indigenous languages in our own lives and the justice system more broadly.

Today may be the dusk of Naitonal Reconciliation Week 2020, but we hope that Moorditj Mia will give Piddington, our friends and the profession more widely the opportunity to consider these aims all year long.

A Noongar word list is available here.

Curtin University conduct an online Noongar language and culture course. It is available here.

The Piddington Society is an association of lawyers committed to collegiality and justice.

We run professional development, graduate training and social events for the legal profession.

Proceeds from all of our events go toward expanding access to justice.

We like justice and we like collegiality. We love to bring them together.