Supreme Court Prize awarded to top Swinburne graduate

Swinburne graduate, Harrison Cant, was awarded the 2023 Supreme Court prize this Wednesday by the Hon Mark Kranz Moshinsky, in a ceremony presided over by Chief Justice the Hon Anne Ferguson.

The prize acknowledges the most outstanding graduates from Victorian’s eight law schools.

It is a testament to academic excellence and opens many career opportunities to its recipients. 

Professor Amanda Scardamaglia, Dean of Swinburne Law School, congratulated Harrison on the prize and his dedication during his studies. 

“I am delighted to congratulate Harrison on this wonderful achievement. Harrison fully embraced all of the experiences law school has offered him, even during lockdown, when classes were delivered remotely. His resilience and commitment to his studies will no doubt serve him well as he embarks on his legal career,” Professor Scardamaglia said. 

Finding your calling

Harrison was drawn to study law because of his love for analytical thinking and talent for debate but was once hesitant about going into the field.  

“I wasn’t very confident; I wasn’t very sure of myself. I wanted to do law, but I just thought that I wasn’t good enough for it,” Harrison said. 

However, with encouragement from those around him, Harrison took the leap and began his law degree at Swinburne in 2019. 

“Within the first few weeks, I knew that I had made the right call. I am very fortunate to have found my calling,” Harrison said. 

After successfully completing his Bachelor of Laws at Swinburne, Harrison is now working in a graduate position at an international corporate law firm and is confident he is where he was meant to be. 

“I’m enjoying it a lot and realizing how much there is to learn, absorb and grow,” Harrison said. 

“In the next few years, I plan to establish myself within my firm, get involved in some really good matters, and set up that next stage of my career.” 

The Indonesia Law, Governance and Culture study tour is a two-week program that includes visits to research sites and engagement with local communities.

Turning challenges to opportunities

When the pandemic hit and lockdowns began, Harrison used it as an opportunity to fully focus on his studies.

“Pushing myself to be successful in my degree gave a lot of meaning to what would otherwise have been lost years. In that regard, the prize has come to mean something very important to me personally,” Harrison said.

Harrison also made the most of his time at Swinburne outside the classroom.

One highlight was going on the Law, Governance and Culture study tour to Indonesia with the help of a Commonwealth New Colombo Plan grant. 

“I made a lot of great friends and some life-long memories. It was also without doubt the most intellectually stimulating experience of my life to date – it shifted my perspective in a number of respects,” Harrison said.  

Harrison was also part of the first ever Swinburne team at the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, the world's largest international moot competition. 

Moot competitions simulate a court hearing and allow students to get a taste of what it’s like to prepare and present a legal case in a courtroom setting. 

The team was supported by Swinburne Adjunct fellows the Honourable Peter Gray AM and the Honourable Frank Vincent AO KC, and won the Australian Spirit of the Jessup award for Swinburne. 

Harrison encourages students in the early stages of their studies is to take chances like these whenever they come up. 

“It’s important that you make the most of what’s front of you. There are incredible opportunities that await you over the next few years and you won't regret taking them,” Harrison said.