Patricia and Christine

For over a decade, Patricia has worked for PNG's Department of Justice in the areas of juvenile justice and community-based corrections. She has contributed to the PNG Juvenile Justice Bill (2014) and the development of the department's Juvenile Justice National Plan and Regulatory Framework.

Patricia was inspired through her experiences in this industry and from a "Women in Peacebuilding" leadership program in the United States to undertake a Bachelor of Criminology and Justice degree. While in Australia, she intends to learn how the Queensland juvenile justice system works so that she can use her findings in her work as well as build a collaborative bilateral network between Australian and PNG stakeholders.

Christine is an experienced social worker who has worked with marginalised children, young people, families and communities for over 18 years.

As an Aboriginal woman, Christine is committed to addressing disadvantage in the community and has worked on local, national and international levels in the areas of racism, cross-cultural practice and peace initiatives.

Since 2002, Christine has been a dedicated restorative justice practitioner and social change agent who has worked with school communities to implement restorative practices.
Based on the Sunshine Coast, Christine also is a youth justice conferencing convenor and service leader, managing a number of restorative justice practitioners.