Against the backdrop of rising domestic and family violence on the Sunshine Coast, more than 200 local legal professionals rallied together last night, raising more than $50,000 to strengthen frontline legal support for vulnerable community members.
The annual dinner, now in its sixth year, founded and hosted by Travis Schultz & Partners (TSP), brings together the region’s legal community to raise essential funds for grassroots legal support, Suncoast Community Legal Service (SCLS). The event, which took place at the upstairs waterfront venue ‘Wharf Events’ in Mooloolaba on Thursday 12 March, saw more than 200 of the Sunshine Coast’s legal profession join to raise awareness and funds to support SCLS’s critical work. The organisation provides community legal assistance, domestic violence support, and access to justice for vulnerable members of the community.
In 2025, SCLS delivered 6,858 service actions to our community with over a quarter related to domestic and family violence need.
The wine dinner event, hosted by TSP and chaired by Managing Partner Travis Schultz OAM, featured a three-course dinner with paired wines carefully chosen by winemaker Lisa Ioannitis from Mayfield Vineyard. A lively raffle and auction saw a range of generously donated luxurious prizes including getaways, jewellery and designer handbags being bid on, further bolstering the fundraising efforts.
A highlight of the evening was a panel discussion with community leaders focused on domestic violence and the role of SCLS. The Honourable Deb Frecklington MP, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity, the Honourable Dan Purdie MP, Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Marla Edwards, CEO at SCLS were the esteemed panelists. The panel delivered a frank and solutions-focused discussion that unpacked the rising demand for domestic violence services and the practical role community legal centres like SCLS play on the ground.
Mr Schultz highlighted the importance of events like these in supporting SCLS, saying, “Behind every statistic is a person – often someone with nowhere else to turn. The need for legal support continues to climb, especially with the ongoing rise in domestic and family violence on the Coast. SCLS is an organisation that people turn to when in need. Their mission is to address disadvantage by providing legal advice and education to the Sunshine Coast community, delivered through a dedicated team and an extraordinary network of volunteer lawyers. The funds raised tonight go towards keeping the SCLS mission alive.”
SCLS CEO Marla Edwards also shared; “Our mission is to provide access to justice. The work of Suncoast Community Legal Service simply wouldn’t be possible without the extraordinary generosity of the legal profession here on the Sunshine Coast.
“For more than four decades, volunteer lawyers have given their time and expertise to the service, contributing thousands of hours of pro bono support and standing beside people in our community during some of their most difficult moments.
“We are also grateful to the sponsors, donors and community members who contribute through events like this one. Because of that support, our team can help people through a wide range of legal challenges, but domestic and family violence remains one of the most complex and confronting issues we see.
“Early legal advice can make a real difference, helping people understand their rights and take protective steps before situations escalate. It was a privilege to join leaders from across the justice sector on the panel to discuss this, and to highlight the important role community legal services play in supporting people experiencing domestic and family violence.
“Addressing this issue requires a collective effort, and we are deeply grateful to the legal community who continue to step forward to help.”
All funds raised from the event go towards supporting SCLS and their mission to ensure access to justice for vulnerable members of the community. Community members can donate, volunteer or learn more about accessing legal support at https://suncoastcommunitylegal.org/
