A new plaque recognising the traditional owners of Dubbo and surrounding areas was officially unveiled at Dubbo Court House yesterday for the start of Law Week.
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The plaque was the brainchild of local court magistrate Paul MacMahon, and was revealed in a short ceremony by State MP Dawn Fardell and local Aboriginal elder Russell Ryan.
"We're proud to be the traditional owners of this city, and we're proud to be recognised in this way," Mr Ryan said.
Ms Fardell said she had long supported the placement of the Aboriginal flag around the city, including at the Dubbo City Council chambers.
"It's important that it's recognised," she said. "The traditional owners are working hard in the local community."
But yesterday's event was focused more specifically on throwing open the doors of the courthouse to everyone, and trying to make the justice system more widely relevant.
"We would encourage anyone interested to come and participate and discover a little bit more of what the law is about," Law Week convenor Patrick Latham said.
The open day was also attended by assistant director-general of the Attorney General's Department Tim McGrath, who is on a whistle-stop tour of regional courthouses: "This year's Law Week is all about relationships with the law, and it's a process of getting the community involved."
He also applauded the sponsorship by the Motor Accident Authority, and complimented their 'Arrive Alive' safe driving campaign targeted at young people.
But perhaps the most interesting people to meet were those who worked behind the scenes to ensure the Dubbo courthouse ran smoothly.
The deputy-registrar Julie Nelson explained she had a multitude of roles, from making weekend decisions on bail terms, to acting as court coroner.
"I have to ascertain the identity and date of death when there's been suspicious or unusual circumstances," she said.
But certainly, the "lightest" part of her job was officiating marriages, which she has done in some of the most exotic parts of NSW: "I think the most isolated travelling experience I've had was at White Cliffs - the whole town turned up."