James Cook University Law School student discovers family background while completing her law degree

Australia has always held a special place in Tiffany Shipp’s mind.

During the Second World War, her grandfather, Jack Shipp, moved from North Melbourne to Guelph, Ontario for training with the Australian Air Force. Though he never moved back to Australia, Tiffany never got the opportunity to meet him as he passed away before her parents were married. For years, the Ontario native has always wanted to discover her family’s roots Down Under.

She recently found a way to discover her family heritage while turning a passion for law into a career.

Ever since she completed her first law class in Grade 11, she’s been intrigued by the subject.

“I have always wanted to study law to help people and it has always been my passion,” she explains.

She enrolled in the James Cook University Law School, and began her studies this past  February.

“I have always wanted to see where my heritage is from and I chose the James Cook University Law School because I wanted a change from where I lived in Canada, as I love not having winter,” she says. “If I was going to venture across the world, I wanted to live in a tropical paradise. So I decided to fulfill three of my passions at once.”

The James Cook University Law School offers a three-year, graduate-entry Bachelor of Laws degree designed for students who already hold a bachelor degree in another field and wish to gain a qualification in law. The James Cook University Law School links up with local law firms and the Community Legal Centre, which offer students opportunities to gain practical legal skills.

Canadian students at JCU love the fact that they can study quality degrees in a beautiful, natural environment, while meeting students from more than 100 countries around the world!

JCU’s main campus is located in Townsville, a thriving coastal city and port and a stepping-off point for visiting the Great Barrier Reef. The resort regions of the Whitsunday Islands and Mission Beach are within easy reach.

It’s a lifestyle that has suited Tiffany’s tastes.

“My experience in Australia has been indescribable,” she says. “I live five minutes from a beach and wake up to wild parrots outside my window every morning.”

Once she arrived in Australia, she quickly checked a number of adventures off her list.

“One of the most memorable experiences thus far is going to the Crystal Creeks where there are the most beautiful waterfalls and swimming holes hidden within a mountain, and there are waterslides in the rock and you can also cliff jump,” she explains. “I will also never forget the first time I got to feed a kangaroo, hold a koala and meet a wombat. Finally, going to the Great Barrier Reef was amazing and wearing the stinger suit is a memory I’ll never forget.”

She says she’s also fallen in love with JCU’s campus.

“JCU’s campus is at the bottom of a mountain surrounded by trees and wildlife,” she says. “The JCU staff members are amazing and they are very hands on with each student. Most of them will know your name and are always willing to help you.”

As for her studies, she doesn’t sugarcoat the workload.

“Law is a very demanding course that requires hours of reading each day. It is not an easy course but is a rewarding one,” she says.

Though she’s most interested in studying family law and criminal law, Tiffany has kept an open mind and she says she’s surprised by how much she enjoys contract and tort law, two subjects she’s currently completing at the James Cook University Law School. As for her plans following graduation, Tiffany hopes to return to Canada.

“I want to take the correspondence courses and then start articling and write the bar exam,” she says. “I want to have a job at a firm as soon as I can once I return home.”

But for the next three years, she’ll work hard in the James Cook University Law School classroom while also continuing her quest to discover her grandfather’s backyard.

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A James Cook University Law School Professor has donated $1 million to JCU, which will bring better facilities and more scholarship and research opportunities to students and faculty.

Former Queensland Supreme Court judge, the Honorable Kerry Cullinane QC, is the donor, having many ties to the James Cook University Law School.

He is a former member of the University’s Council and continues to lecture in the School of Law.

JCU’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Sandra Harding, commended Professor Cullinane’s contribution, as he has been a long-time supporter of the university.

“His outstanding support of the University was recognized in 2007 when he was made Honorary Doctor of Laws,” Professor Harding said.

She adds how the James Cook University Law School moot court is named after him.

“He has had exceptionally close and valuable ties with the James Cook University Law School, an association that began even before the School’s formal inception in 1989, as he served on the Steering Committee formed to establish the School.

“Since 1999 he has been an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University and initiated and continues to teach the subject Comparative Law in an entirely honorary capacity.”

Professor Harding said the gift from Professor Cullinane would be used to further the study of law at the James Cook University Law School.

“Among other things it will provide scholarships and bursaries for students, particularly for disadvantaged and Indigenous students, as well as providing funds for research by the James Cook University Law School staff,” Professor Harding said.

She said the funds will also assist students to gain experience with placements and exchange programs.

The Head of the James Cook University Law School, Professor Stephen Graw, said that Professor Cullinane had had a long-standing interest in the School’s students.

“He has made himself readily available to them and has spoken at their invitation at many of their functions,” Professor Graw said. “He has adjudicated at student moot court proceedings and in 2002 was chosen by the students to deliver the annual student organized Mayo Lecture.”

Professor Cullinane’s work in law is extensive.

A native of Northern Queensland, Professor Cullinane was admitted to the bar in 1966 and for 26 years practised throughout North Queensland being a founder of the North Queensland Bar Association and its President for 13 years from 1979.

He succeeded Sir George Kneipp as northern judge when he was elevated to the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1992, an appointment he held until his retirement this year.

This is such great news for the James Cook University Law School, as it will bring better opportunities for both staff and students!

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Learn more about the James Cook University Law School.

Find out more about Australian Law Schools in Australia.