Grammar Graduate—Bella Busby (2016)

You hold both a Bachelor of Law (Honours) and Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology), from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Tell us about your career pathway since leaving Girls Grammar.

During my degree, I continued to develop my interest in public speaking by engaging with the QUT Debating Society where I enjoyed competing at a range of national and international tournaments. This allowed me to travel all over Australia and to Indonesia and New Zealand. I also participated in mooting (mock court) competitions which helped me develop legal problem-solving skills and taught me very valuable skills, some of which I use daily in practice now as a lawyer. I also completed an exchange semester at the University of Leeds where I benefitted from being out of my comfort zone by moving to a new city all by myself. I also loved getting to travel and make friends from many different countries, many of whom are still my close friends.

Alongside my interest in public speaking, the other strong theme of my time at university was participation in volunteer student committees. I held several roles on the QUT Debating Society and a number of roles on the executive of the charity organisation Brisbane Girls Debating Association, which organises a competition and workshops to empower secondary school girls in public speaking. In my final two years of university, I volunteered with the 48-strong student volunteer team on the QUT Law Society where I was responsible for the education portfolio and later became the President. These experiences taught me how to manage a team with respect and empathy, and increased my confidence in coming up with creative solutions to challenges. These skills continue to be very useful in my professional practice as a lawyer.

In my final two years of study I also worked as a paralegal at the top-tier commercial law firm Allens, where I am now a solicitor.

As Director of The Legal Forecast, can you tell us more about the important work this organisation does?

My connection to The Legal Forecast (TLF) started when I joined their symphony orchestra, which is a fantastic initiative designed to increase connections in the legal industry and promote greater mental health. After six years of being involved with the creative arm of TLF, I have recently been appointed to the National Board. Traditionally, the Board has run a range of initiatives about the intersection of technology and law. However, I am excited to be joining the Board at a time when we are shifting our focus to a broader conversation about the challenges facing the legal profession, notably including the importance of disconnection from work, promoting mental health in the profession, ensuring access to justice and managing the appropriate use of technology (including AI). I am excited to have found a role that brings together my legal and psychology backgrounds, and through which I can provide a positive contribution to the broader legal community.

You are also an accomplished cello player, can you explain more about your involvement with Lawchestra, and the opportunities that playing a musical instrument continues to provide you?

Alongside law, my passion has always been playing musical instruments. While at BGGS I participated in a number of musical ensembles and had lessons in cello, piano and vocal studies. I have continued to perform on all three instruments as part of The Legal Forecast symphony orchestra (affectionately known as ‘Lawchestra’). I have been playing with the Lawchestra since 2019 and previously was a member of Queensland Youth Symphony (QYS), with whom I also toured Macau, China and Germany in 2017.

I have been fortunate to have many exciting opportunities to perform as part of both Lawchestra and QYS. In addition to the tour, I was invited to perform with QYS at the Queensland Music Festival, alongside Opera Queensland and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, as well as performing regularly on the QPAC Concert Hall Stage. As part of the Lawchestra, I have also been fortunate to play regularly in beautiful spaces such as Brisbane City Hall. I can attest to the strength and warm welcome offered by Brisbane community orchestras. Orchestras have been the most powerful source of connection and community for me throughout my transition from school to university, and later into the workforce, and I credit musical ensembles with being the greatest source of friendships, old and new! I was unaware of how many opportunities were available to continue to play in high-calibre ensembles after I chose not to pursue a career in music, but I encourage anyone who has an instrument gathering dust to pick it up (no matter how many years have passed) and find an ensemble near you!

Finally, you are a passionate advocate for women and a lot of your work centres around advice. What is some advice that you think young women should know about life after university?

Back yourself! As women, we are often taught to undersell our abilities to make others feel more comfortable, and it can feel difficult to seek leadership roles or extend yourself. Sometimes you have to advocate for yourself to seize opportunities that are right for you. Putting your hand up for a role will not only benefit you, but could also encourage other women to follow. For example, I applied to be President of the QUT Law Society after reflecting on the fact there had been no women in the role for five years. I was hopeful that by nominating myself I would extend my own leadership skills but also open the door to empower another woman to follow my example before another five years. I am pleased to say that I have felt more empowered to put my hand up for leadership roles following this experience and that there has been a second woman president at the QUT Law Society within two years of my term.