On 25 March 2010, M+R will hold a seminar on the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2010.  This will be joint session in conjunction with SED Practice Management Services.  The guest speaker will be Sean Millard, Accredited Specialist in Workplace Relations and the session will be chaired by Mary Edquist and Vicki Hayward.  For a registration form, email casquith@mrlaw.com.au.

On 1 March 2010, our three new legal trainees will commence a twelve month legal traineeship with M+R.  Joining us will be Penelope Mason, Adam Stevens and Chris Jones. Welcome aboard !

The Melbourne Summer Cycle took place on Sunday 21 February 2010. The M+R team consisted of Andrew Brennan, Melissa Quinton and Melanie Saunders.  Both Andrew and Melanie's partners joined in for the ride and became honourary M+R members.  The team was named the Mono-Rowells.  The energy on the day was electrifying and the team camaraderie and spirit of cyclists shone as bright as the sun! Thank you to those who donated - The Mono-Rowells raised an impressive $441. Overall the ride has raised a staggering $539,504.

On Saturday 12 December 2009, M+R held their Annual Christmas function.  This year's function was held at the CUB BrewHouse in Abbotsford.  Staff and their partners were treated to a tour of the brewery, a meeting with the infamous CUB Clydesdale horses, followed by a three course dinner, drinks and a great DJ.  A good time was had by all.

On 19 November 2009, M+R held a joint function with Zoos Victoria.  Guests were treated to presentations from Jenny Gray (CEO), Graeme Gillespie (Director Wildlife Conservation & Science) and Rachel Lowry (GM Community Conservation), talking about wildlife conservation, the exciting future for Zoos Victoria and community conservation.  Prizes for the night included two behind the scenes gorilla experiences and family passes to visit the Melbourne Zoo.  The evening was followed by some bubbly and finger food. Thank you to Zoos Victoria for participating in this function. M+R continue to support Zoos Victoria, their community campaigns and their vision for the future of our wildlife.

In our latest edition of Uncommon Sense, we held a competition, composing three statements which were either true or false.  The winners of the competition were Jamie Thomson of Unimutual Limited and Khanh Duong of Toll Group. Both answered all three statements correctly within one minute of each other.  A fine bottle of wine was sent to each winner. Congratulations!

On 22 October 2009, M+R held a fashion parade, inviting our female staff and female clients. The fashions were provided by OBUS Designs and the millinery collection of Ann Shoebridge. Three staff members posed as models for the day, starting the day with a visit to Christian Dior at Myer for a make over, followed by a glass or two of bubbles before starting the parade. The event was a lot of fun and enjoyed by all.  Thank you to Kylie Zerbst, Lauren Perna and Kate McKinnis of OBUS Designs, thank you to Ann Shoebridge, a very talented milliner and a special thank you to our three models - Emma Blakeney, Kate Devinish and Nadia Tucker.  Thank you also to Mary Edquist, partner, who hosted this event. 

On 5 October 2009, Ross Donaldson joined M+R working as a part-time Consultant. Ross joins the team of Mark Attard and Allison Grice.  Welcome Ross !

M+R has now appointed three new legal trainees, who will commence in March 2010, as part of the firm's traineeship program.  Joining us will be Penelope Mason, Adam Stevens and Chris Jones.  Penelope, Adam and Chris were wined and dined at our annual dinner held at Pop Restaurant & Bar on Tuesday 22 September 2009.  Welcome to M+R.

M+R is working closely with Zoos Victoria to promote their latest campaign - Don't Palm Us Off. See the Zoos Victoria page for further information on this most worthwhile campaign.

Sean Millard, Special Counsel, is currently travelling to regional areas to educate businesses on the new IR law reforms.  If you would like further information on these new reforms or if your business would like to book a briefing, contact marketing@mrlaw.com.au.

M+R has recently launched the Green Team who will be responsible for environmental issues and planning the firm's carbon footprint.  It is intended to educate staff on environmental issues both within the firm and from a personal perspective, with the aim being that each staff member will then be able to be responsible for their own personal carbon footprint.  

On 28 October 2009, M+R will hold their next self insurance seminar which will cover topics including circumstance investigations, vocational assessments, using expert evidence and reports and a panel discussion.  To pre-register your interest in attending this event, email marketing@mrlaw.com.au.

On 5 August 2009, M+R will hold a boardroom discussion related to health law and medical issues.  For more information, see www.lawyersfordoctors.com.au.

On 16 July 2009, M+R will host a seminar on the exciting topic of "the Fairwork Act" covering the latest changes to our industrial relation laws.  To pre-register your interest in attending this exciting event, email marketing@mrlaw.com.au.

On 1 July 2009, two exciting changes took place at M+R.  Philip Rowell officially became a Consultant to the firm, retiring from the partnership.  Philip celebrated his first day as an employee, with a day on the golf course - why, because he could !  Also on 1 July 2009, Sarah Metcalfe (nee Vorwerg) was appointed as a Senior Associate - congratulations Sarah.

On 29 June 2009, Kate Devenish joined M+R working as a Lawyer in Mark Attard's team, working in the area of construction law.  Welcome to M+R Kate.

From 5 June to 26 July 2009, Mary Edquist will hold an art exhibition at Yering Station in the Yarra Valley.  Mary's exhibition "A New & Impulsive Voice: Paintings & Collage Kaleidosapes" will be her very first solo exhibition.  The official opening of the exhibition will take place on Sunday 14 June 2009, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.  Yering Station is located at 38 Melba Highway Yarra Glen.  Admission is free and all commissions from sales will be donated to the Leukemia Auxiliary of the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne.

On 14 May 2009, M+R celebrated their fifth anniversary, celebrating in style with a firm wide cocktail function.  The evening also celebrated the official retirement (as from 30 June 2009), of two of the firm's partners - Philip Rowell and Robert Tuck - each of whom will continue working at the firm as Consultants.

On 22 April 2009, Kristy Aiken, Suzi Craig and Ben Shoebridge were admitted to practice.  The ceremony was followed by lunch at Tozzetti and a few well earned glasses of bubbly!

On 2 March 2009, three new legal trainees joined M+R - Connor Burdon-Bear, Natalie Bodak and Robert Chandra.  Connor, Natalie and Robert will each undertake a twelve month traineeship with the firm.

Effective from 1 March 2009, Vanessa Kemp, formerly a Senior Associate has been appointed as a Partner with the firm.  Vanessa practices in the areas of professional indemnity insurance, public and product liability insurance and general insurance. Congratulations Vanessa !

Breakfast session on 26 February 2009 - As the Senate Committee which has been reviewing the Fair Work Bill is to report back to the Senate this Friday and with the potential for a number of issues then to be vigorously debated before the Senate, we have decided to postpone our breakfast seminar set for this Thursday until mid year.  Our sincere apologies for the change though we believe it will make it a more worthwhile exercise for participants to await the Bill in its final form.  We will provide notice of the new date and look forward to seeing you then.

In 2009, M+R will conduct a series of breakfast briefing sessions during the year, focusing on industrial and employment issues, in order to keep you abreast of those changes.  If you are interested in receiving an invitation to our breakfast briefing sessions, please email marketing@mrlaw.com.au to register to your details or contact Cheryl Asquith on 03 8624 2056 for more information.