In a conversation bridging generations, Sydney Law School alum the Honourable Ruth McColl AO SC sat down with current student Gwen Rumbel to discuss diversity within the legal profession and how a curriculum refresh now embeds Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge within the foundation of legal studies.
Ruth began her degree at the University of Sydney in 1969 and has led a distinguished career since, spanning decades of leadership, public service, and judicial excellence. Gwen is currently in her second year of a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science (Psychology).
Despite two very different academic journeys (in two very different times), Ruth and Gwen have more similarities than meet the eye, both becoming trailblazers in their own right.
Ruth's career reflects a pioneering journey that has helped to reshape the legal landscape for women who followed. Among a wide range of accolades, in 1999, she became the President of the NSW Bar Association, the first woman to serve in that position.
Similarly, Gwen has been a formative influence on the curriculum refresh, a milestone in the School's history, paving the way for future students.
At the heart of the renewed curriculum is Ngara, a learning outcome derived from the Gadi word meaning "listen, hear, think."
Ngara establishes a clear expectation that every law graduate will achieve an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' knowledges and perspectives, including the ongoing effects of colonisation, and an ability to reflect upon the cultural specificity of law.
A shared beginning through scholarships
Gwen and Ruth have both greatly benefitted from scholarships, crediting them for launching their academic journey.
"I would never have come to university, if I hadn't had a Commonwealth scholarship," Ruth says.
As the recipient of the Judge Ralph J Perdriau First Nations Scholarship for the Bachelor of Laws, Gwen agrees.
"I'm pretty much in the same boat," Gwen says. "I wouldn't have been able to come to Sydney without a scholarship for sure."
"My home is about a three hour drive away, so relocating has been expensive and there are all the experiences and struggles that come with that."
Preparing our students for the real world requires a reckoning with the truth of not simply what law is, but also a deep understanding of the co-existence of Western Laws and First Laws.
Professor Teela Reid
Associate Dean (Indigenous Strategy and Services)
From "accidental lawyer" to trailblazer in the field
Originally enrolling in an Arts degree at the University of Sydney, Ruth McColl's journey to the legal profession started on a whim.
"I'm somewhat of an accidental lawyer," Ruth says.
"When I finished high school, I didn't know what I wanted to do. My sister was doing arts at the University of Sydney, so I also enrolled in that."
Ruth eventually made the rather last-minute decision to swap to a Bachelor of Law, Bachelor of Arts based on a teacher's recommendation.
"I was going back home on the bus down Market Street and I recalled the words of a teacher who suggested I might consider law."
"It was like a bell rang in my head and said you've got to do this! So I jumped off the bus, came back to University and enrolled in Arts/Law."
"The rest is history."
In 1972 while still an undergraduate, Ruth started work at the State Crown Solicitor's office. She remained there after she qualified to be a solicitor in 1976, working in a variety of areas including corporate crime, civil litigation and constitutional law and advisings.
Just as she became an “accidental lawyer,” Ruth similarly describes herself as an “accidental barrister.”
During a conversation on a friend’s back steps in Balmain, one of her friends (who happened to be a barrister) mentioned a vacant opportunity on his floor as a reader.
"I can't remember if I decided then and there, but obviously I turned it over in my mind."
She eventually decided to take the opportunity which launched her into a highly successful career as a barrister.
"The way being a barrister works is word of mouth and my practice gradually built up," she says.
This led to a pivotal case in which Ruth had appeared for the Melbourne Age who were being sued for defamation by "every member of the Australian cricket team, every member of the West Indian team and Kerry Packer".
"I got to the Privy Council twice with that case and then, you know, everything balloons."
By 1994 Ruth had taken silk (appointed Senior Counsel), and from 2003 to 2019 she was appointed as a Judge for the NSW Court of Appeal. In 2004, she was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for her service to the law.
Current student, Gwen Rumbel, Dean and Head of School, Fleur Johns, and alum Ruth McColl AO
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LinkShaping the future of legal education
A proud Gringai woman from Dungog, Gwen Rumbel moved to Sydney to pursue her studies at USYD and found a sense of belonging through on-campus college accommodation.
"There was only one other person from my high school that came to Sydney. I've really loved living on campus and that has helped with the transition."
"There's a really diverse group of people at the college, all these people from all over the world."
She has been a core student research assistant on the curriculum review within Sydney Law School.
Her involvement in the review has required working on a project in which she examined legislation from very early on in Australia's legal history regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and evaluating how students may respond to these readings.
"They can be very difficult to read. We really needed to ensure we have the wellbeing of our students in mind."
We will continue our recent years’ work of amplifying and valuing Indigenous knowledges and perspectives in law and fostering an environment in which First Nations students and staff thrive.
Professor Fleur Johns
Dean and Head of School
Bringing First Nations perspectives to the forefront
As of 2025, Sydney Law School commenced the formal integration of embedding First Nations perspectives into the LLB/JD programs.
This included the new course learning outcome called Ngara, which stipulates that all Sydney Law School graduates are expected to have an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ knowledges and perspectives, including the ongoing effects of colonisation, and an ability to reflect on the cultural specificity of law.
Thus far, Ngara has been incorporated into seven out of 17 compulsory units in the Bachelor of Laws and Juris Doctor programs. As the refresh scales up over the LLB and JD curriculums, all core courses will have the opportunity to integrate Indigenous knowledges and perspectives. This work is driven by the implementation of the new Sydney Law School Strategy (2026-28).
This is Sydney Law School's practical commitment to the University's Indigenous strategy; One Sydney. Many People, and Sydney 2032 Strategy to improve programs by amplifying the work of Indigenous legal scholars and perspectives.
The embedding of Ngara across the curricula will be reviewed to ensure graduates understand the historical and contemporary challenges of pursuing justice in the place where Sydney Law School is located, and strengthen their legal knowledge and professional skills in the community.
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Then & Now: Reimaging legal foundations