Growing up in Toowoomba in southern Queensland, Mairead Webb dreamed of one day becoming a lawyer.

At the age of 19, Mairead left home in pursuit of her childhood dream and is now studying a Bachelor of Arts/Law (Hons) at The Australian National University (ANU) with the support of a Phillipa Weeks Scholarship in Law.

“Being awarded the Phillipa Weeks Scholarship meant greater freedoms and less stress, especially in regards to making the move to Canberra to complete my studies,” Mairead said.

The Phillipa Weeks Scholarship supports rural, regional and remote students, such as Mairead, who aspire to obtain a law degree at ANU.

“The money I received as part of this scholarship goes towards flights to get to university and visit my family, as well as textbooks and accommodation fees,” Mairead said.

“Beyond the material aspects of the scholarship, it means a lot to me to be able to continue on the legacy of Phillipa Weeks and be allowed this opportunity to study at the ANU College of Law.”

Mairead hopes to continue Professor Weeks’ legacy by “actively participating in all aspects of law at ANU”.

“I have joined the ANU Law Students’ Society and been a part of the 2022 novice mooting competition, as well as attended legal panels, such as the one run by The Hon Julia Gillard earlier this year,” Mairead said.

“I also hope to do Phillipa proud by remaining actively engaged in my studies and trying my best to succeed in my degree.”

Mairead chose to move away from home to study law at ANU for multiple reasons.

“Firstly, I knew that ANU was well-ranked and would provide me with one of the best law degrees available in Australia,” she said.

“I was also interested in the opportunities that ANU offered in regards to double degrees and extra-circular activities. Finally, I was interested in living in Canberra.”

Mairead currently lives on campus at Burgmann College and works part-time at a local café.

“In my free time I like to do yoga, go for walks, and spend time with my friends,” she said.

Mairead has found balancing her studies with her personal commitments to be manageable so far, although it involves “a level of organisation and hard work”.  

“I have to make sure I am on top of my studies to ensure I continue to do well,” she said.

Still in the first year of her double degree, Mairead is particularly interested in learning more about intellectual property (IP) law.

“I am quite passionate about art and see IP law as something that has potential to encompass both aspects of my degree and various interests,” she said.

While she isn’t yet sure what her next steps will be after graduation, Mairead remains committed to fulfilling her childhood ambitions of becoming a lawyer.

“I would like to think I will be working as a lawyer or completing my practical training, preferably in a firm that engages in an area of law I am interested in,” she said.  

Support regional and rural students like Mairead by giving to the Phillipa Weeks Scholarship in Law.