More seats available for Erin Brockovich lecture

Due to popular demand the 2011 Shine Lawyers/USQ Law School Public Lecture Series, featuring famous American environmental crusader Erin Brockovich, will now be held at the Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre to enable more residents to attend.

Last week organisers were forced to close registrations for the free lecture, originally to be held in the Allison Dickson Lecture Theatre, due to an overwhelming response from the public. 

The change of venue, however, means more residents can attend the event on Friday 11 February.

Ms Brockovich inspired the Oscar award-winning motion picture in 2000 (starring Julia Roberts) after she spearheaded the largest settlement in US history for a toxic tort involving 600 residents from the Californian town of Hinkley.

Now a successful author, international speaker and consumer advocate, Ms Brockovich has been working with Shine Lawyers in Australia since 2007 and became their official spokesperson in 2009.

USQ Law School Head, Professor Mike Robertson, said Ms Brockovich’s story was an inspiring one that would appeal to local business people, lawyers, law students, legal studies students, academics and members of the public.

'Ms Brockovich’s story has obvious relevance to current debates in Queensland about the potential impact of increased mining and associated activity. It’s a story worth considering carefully,' Professor Robertson said.

The free event will be held in Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre on Baker Street, Toowoomba, on Friday 11 February at 6.30pm, with light refreshments served from 6pm. Those who wish to attend will need to register.