First published 24 September 2025
QUT law students Christine Conn and Degenhard Beschel have won the 2025 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students’ Moot Competition.
Christine and Degenhard were rewarded for their demonstration of exceptional skill, professionalism and cultural insight throughout the competition’s three rounds.
The competition, held in Brisbane on 23 September and hosted by the Indigenous Lawyers Association of Queensland at the Brisbane Supreme and District Court, provides a platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander law students to showcase their advocacy skills in a formal courtroom setting.
The team’s coach, Professor Bridget Lewis from the QUT School of Law, praised the students’ dedication and performance.
“Christine and Degenhard brought both legal precision and cultural integrity to the courtroom,” Professor Lewis said.
“Their win is a testament to their hard work and the strength of the Indigenous law program at QUT.”
Christine, a proud Wiradjuri woman studying a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) and recipient of the 2025 John Koowarta Reconciliation Law Scholarship, said the win meant a lot to her.
“Winning this competition is deeply meaningful. Not just for me, but for my family and community,” Christine said.
“I’m proud to represent QUT and to show that Indigenous people belong and can achieve great things in the legal space.”
Degenhard, a Naghiralgal and Papua New Guinean man and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) student, also said the win was a significant moment for him.
“This experience has been transformative,” Degenhard said.
“Standing in court and advocating with purpose is why I chose law – to make a difference.
“I’m grateful for the support from QUT and proud to be part of a team that values both legal excellence and cultural strength.”
Bianca Hill-Jarro, Indigenous Project Officer in the Faculty of Business and Law, said the impact of this annual competition was wider than just the results on the day.
“This competition is more than just a moot,” Ms Hill-Jarro said.
“It’s a celebration of Indigenous excellence in the legal profession. We’re incredibly proud of Christine and Degenhard’s achievement, and their win will also help inspire a new cohort of Indigenous students to study and succeed in law.”
Top image: Degenhard Beschel (left) and Christine Conn.
Media contact:
Kate Sarri
QUT Media
media@qut.edu.au
07 3138 2361 / 0407 585 901 (After Hours)
