News

Carla’s calling inspires next generation lawyers

Content warning: This story contains references to suicide. Reader discretion is advised.

A dedicated scholar and champion for the vulnerable continues to inspire the next generation of lawyers via an Australian Catholic University scholarship established in her name.

Five years after her tragic death, Carla Todaro’s story lives on in the support it provides for recipients of the Carla Todaro Memorial Law Scholarship.

Carla was a promising young lawyer who worked at the Aboriginal Legal Service in Redfern and as an eight-year-old played judge in mock legal dramas in the family home, once a courtroom in Carcoar, New South Wales.

A fierce advocate and past winner of the contract law prize, Carla’s life was cut short in 2020 just months after she graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Hons).

Few knew she had for years carried her own shield as she faced mental illness, all the while helping others who were similarly in need.

Her family hopes the scholarship, now in its fifth year, will support those who follow Carla’s lead and promote conversations about mental health.

“I’m just so proud of anyone who comes forward to take up the scholarship,” Carla’s mother Dianne Todaro-Wells said. “They’re saying yes, mental health is an essential conversation that we need to articulate.”

“It’s these lawyers coming through who will be the pattern interrupters, the catalysts for change and who will write new laws.”

Ms Todaro-Wells spoke with pride about her daughter who was born on Palm Sunday and who once argued a compelling case for the adoption of a dog.

“Carla knew innately that she was called to be a lawyer,” Ms Todaro-Wells recalled.

The Carla Todaro Memorial Law Scholarship was founded in 2021 to honour Carla’s life and her commitment to academic excellence, social justice and engagement in student advocacy.

It is open to current and future students of ACU’s Thomas More Law School who can achieve and personally advocate for others in maintaining a good balance of wellbeing and academic success.

Final year student Kashish Madhani joined Demi Spiteri and Cameo Porecca as 2025 recipients of the scholarship.

Ms Madhani, a student at ACU’s Blacktown campus, said it was an honour to be a recipient and to gain pro bono experience that is imbedded in ACU law courses.

“It’s rewarding and it’s helped me experience different areas of law,” she said of her voluntary work at Shopfront Youth Legal Justice Centre.

If you or someone you know is struggling:

• Lifeline on 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36