Yarns with Josh Apanui

Tell us about you and your mob?
I’m a Bundjalung man, and I grew up on the Gold Coast. We grew up around the salt water. I have brothers and our late mum brought us up. 

Tell us about your career?

I have a different path than most people in the profession, most of my working life I have been in the mining and construction industry. I completed a boilermaking/welding trade, in metal fabrication. 

I really enjoyed building and construction and being out on site. 

I went on to start a university degree and was accepted in the Bachelor of Arts course, I really enjoyed that course, but unfortunately I only part completed it. I really enjoyed the writing  component of this degree, which put my GPA score fairly high. 

In that light, I was encouraged to enrol in the Bachelor of Laws degree, with some hesitation or resistance (on my own part), I ended up applying and was accepted into Griffith Law school. 

Since being at university, it has been such a positive change for me, and also challenging. A lot of hard work goes into the career. 

I have been very fortunate to have so many opportunities, including working for a federal department, the 2018 commonwealth games (GOLDOC), the Queensland Law Society and Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion to name a few. I have met so many great people in the profession, and it has been a really positive change in circumstances for me. 

What pathway did you take?

Pathway? The hard way!! 🙁 

It wasn’t until about 2015-16, I decided I needed a change or I think even turn my life around. I did not complete year 12 and this was a significant barrier for me, so I had to essentially work twice as hard to succeed at university if I was ever going to complete it. 

With a lot of sacrifice and commitment, I ended up completing a Bachelor of Laws. It was such a significant milestone and I pay that to my mum. Our mum set the foundation for me and my brothers. So my pathway is quite different than most people, but with a bit of life experience on my side, I have really enjoyed this life path I am on – for the good and the not so good. 

What skills do you need to succeed in your role?

Communication is such an art and a skill. Really good communication as an advocate in court really helps and is a skill. And I am currently working on this.

Additionally, if you’re in court as a lawyer,  a skill you need is to be able to think quick on your feet and it’s harder than you may think. But with experience it all comes. 

What is the deadliest thing about your career?
There are many, but I would have to say advocating for just and better outcomes for our mob and community, in addition to the friendships and relationships that you build in the profession. 

I really enjoyed gaining experience in the legal policy space.

What career advice would you give your mob?

A piece of advice that is beneficial in my view, is to read. Learn to  read early on in life. I would say, read anything that is of interest (when starting out) and that you know you can finish. It really does help in this profession anyway. We can take it for granted, sometimes, but it’s a skill that we need, particularly in this profession.