Justice, Made Accessible

Article written by Lucy Stokes

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“So I started with a trestle table, some masks, some hand sanitizers, a notebook and pen. Fast forward to 2026 and I now have a team of 30 volunteers.” 

What began as a simple response to an urgent need has grown into one of Bundaberg’s most transformative community services. At the center of it all is Jo Leveritt, social justice advocate, 2026 Citizen of the Year, founder of Bundaberg Street Law and a woman driven not by recognition, but by a deep sense of fairness.  

Her story doesn’t start in a courtroom or law office. It starts in a soup kitchen.  

Before Bundaberg Street Law existed, Jo Leveritt was a volunteer at her local soup kitchen. It was there, working directly with people experiencing homelessness and hardship, that she began to notice a pattern: many individuals were entangled in legal issues but had little to no ability to navigate the system.  

For those living on the margins, accessing legal support wasn’t just difficult; it was nearly impossible.  

“Living on the street, you don’t have access to a computer, printer or reliable internet,” Jo explains.  

When courts and legal services shifted online during Covid-19 lockdowns, the problem only worsened. What was designed as a modern convenience became another barrier for those already excluded.  

Bundaberg Street Law was founded in response to this gap, bringing legal support directly to the people who need it most. But what makes it different isn’t just what it provides; it’s how it provides it.    

The service is intentionally person-centered. The three clinics a week are held in a familiar, non-intimidating environment, a place where clients already feel safe.  

“You can come to the soup kitchen and you can get a meal, you can get a jab, get some legal advice, get your laundry done and get an emergency relief hamper, all from people you are familiar with.”  

Today, Bundaberg Street Law runs three free legal clinics a week, staffed entirely by volunteers. But the service goes far beyond legal advice. It recognises that justice isn’t just about legal outcomes, it’s about dignity, confidence and access.  

For Jo, the law is only one piece of a much larger puzzle.  

Many clients face overlapping challenges: homelessness, financial hardship, health issues, and social isolation. Legal problems are often just one symptom of a broader system that isn’t designed for them.  

“I draw on those experiences to highlight to people that I have access to, to say this is what happens on the ground, and this is the broken system that we’ve got,” Jo says. “And this is how it is hurting people, particularly those who don’t have the funds to get legal representation.”  

Her work extends beyond direct service. Jo actively uses her voice to advocate for systemic change, ensuring the stories of her clients that are often unheard, reach decision-makers. 

One of the most powerful examples of Bundaberg Street Law’s holistic approach is its ‘Clothes 4 Court’ program. 

In partnership with Thread Together, the organisation provides clients with new, high-quality clothing for their court appearances. From shoes and belts to jackets and handbags, every detail is considered.  

The impact goes far beyond appearances.  

“It lifts people’s self-esteem being provided with the little things like socks and a belt,” Jo says.  

For many clients, walking into a courtroom feeling clean, prepared, and confident can change not only how they are perceived, but how they perceive themselves.  

Despite its growth, Bundaberg Street Law remains grounded in the same spirit it began with: community helping community.  

“I’m very fortunate that all my volunteers have a heart and passion for helping people,” Jo says.  

From that original trestle table setup to a team of 30 volunteers, the organisation is powered by people who share Jo’s belief that everyone deserves access to justice, regardless of their circumstances.  

Recently named Citizen of the Year, Jo Leveritt is widely recognised for her contributions, but accolades are not what defines her work.  

At her core, Jo is a listener. Someone who noticed a problem others overlooked and chose to act. Her work is not about saving people; it’s about standing beside them.  

Bundaberg Street Law is built on a simple but powerful idea: that everyone has the right to the social and economic resources needed to exercise their human rights. 

Through accessible legal clinics, practical support, and relentless advocacy, Jo Leveritt is helping turn the idea into reality. 

What started with a trestle table has become something much bigger: a movement grounded in compassion, driven by community, and focused on justice for those too often left out of the system.