Bringing justice home to the Central West for Aboriginal communities

A program aimed at improving justice outcomes for First Nations people in regional NSW is visiting the Central West of NSW as it marks a milestone 15 years.  

Legal Aid NSW’s Aboriginal Field Officer Program (AFO) sees more than a dozen Aboriginal Field Officers travel thousands of kilometres to 38 remote Aboriginal communities across NSW to promote access to justice. To mark NAIDOC Week, an AFO is visiting Cowra on the 6th of July at the local PCYC at 40 Young Rd, Cowra. 

The AFO program started with just two people in 2011 and has expanded to 16 across NSW. Since the expansion of the program in 2022, the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients has grown from 21.3% in 2021 – 2022 to 25.5% in 2024-2025. 

AFO Program Coordinator Harmoni Dennis said the Central West region would benefit from the visit with around 8 per cent of the population being First Nations. 

“The AFOs work alongside solicitors to address the client's socio-legal and non-legal needs like issues with housing or money. They also engage with community members and Elders, liaise between solicitors and clients, attend court list days and advice clinics and educate people about the law,” she said.  

The program this year celebrates a milestone 15 years in operation, after it was developed following recommendations from research by Chris Cunneen into the legal needs of Aboriginal people in NSW. 

“AFOs are building trust and breaking down barriers to justice in regional NSW — walking alongside people in their own communities and connecting them to legal help. This ensures people are accessing legal help earlier,” Ms Dennis said. 

Orange-based AFO Rhys Draper says he is looking forward to visiting the Cowra region to support the community. 

“Demand for help has been significant. I have seen many First Nations people struggling with homelessness and difficulty finding stable housing in the region. It will be great to be able to help Central West residents.”  

Harmoni Dennis and Rhys Draper are available for interview.