Community
9 April, 2025
Mount Isa court relying on FIFO volunteers
Locally based volunteers are required to help young people navigate the court system.
Mount Isa courtrooms have been without a long-term and locally based victim and witness support worker for more than six years.
This has forced the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to fly volunteers from Brisbane several times a year.
Now, the not-for-profit tasked with helping victims and witnesses understand the court process is desperately seeking a Mount Isa community volunteer to step up.
Protect All Children Today (PACT) provides information and support for victims and witnesses of violent and sexual offences as they prepare to give evidence in the courtroom.
The organisation works alongside police and prosecutors to provide a shoulder to lean on during cases being heard before the Supreme and District Courts, which can take up to two years to reach a verdict.
PACT has a network of more than 100 volunteer support workers across the state that regularly meet with clients as they prepare to give evidence and also attend their court hearings.
The organisation has in recent years expanded to provide support to both children and adults, which has greatly increased the caseload across the state.
There are currently more than 35 cases being heard before the Mount Isa courts that PACT is supporting.
PACT quality and training manager Tania Taylor said there had been several volunteers who briefly started in the role, but the transient population of Mount Isa had made it difficult to find a long-term volunteer support worker.
“These cases can go for two years so we really need someone who is able to remain in the city long term,” she said.
“You become a familiar face for your clients who are going through some of the toughest times of their lives. We are looking for someone who is empathetic and is available at short notice because the court process can change very quickly.
“You don’t need any legal knowledge, we will provide all of the training you need, which includes sessions with former judges, police prosecutors, defence lawyers – it is extremely comprehensive.
“We have retired teachers, retired police, housewives that are volunteers with us, so it really is across the board that fill this role.”
Ms Taylor said while the work could be demanding, long-term volunteers have reported the satisfaction they felt from building trust with people facing the difficult courtroom environment.
“A lot of our volunteers say they become passionate about helping their clients because when they meet them, they are at the lowest point in their lives, but once they have gone through the process and given evidence it is like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders and they see the person’s facial expressions change immediately,” she said.
PACT regional coordinator Paul Wilmshurst said there would be ongoing support provided to any Mount Isa volunteers from the Townsville and Brisbane offices.
Anyone seeking more information about this position should email pact@pact.org.au or phone 3738 7827.