Fulfilling a lifelong dream: What inspired Max Farinazzo to study law
Max Farinazzo

Bachelor of Laws (Hons) student and Freilich Indigenous Student Scholar, Max Farinazzo.

This scholarship is important as it helps provide Indigenous students in particular with an opportunity to reach their goals and pursue their career aspirations.

A desire to make a difference is what initially led Max Farinazzo to enrol in a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) at The Australian National University (ANU).

A proud young Kamilaroi man, Max witnessed firsthand the difference lawyers can make in people’s lives. Now, he is determined to do the same.  

Max is the 2021 recipient of the Freilich Indigenous Student Scholarship in Law, a program that assists people in the Indigenous community to study law at university and further their career aspirations.

In this Q&A, Max discusses his future ambitions, study experiences and what it means to him to have been awarded the Freilich Indigenous Student Scholarship in Law.

What inspired you to study a Bachelor of Laws at the Australian National University?

I chose to study a Bachelor of Laws because I want to be able to help people. As a teenager, I saw firsthand how important lawyers are in assisting with my own family challenges. Since then, I have come to realise the impact that someone with a law degree can make across a broad range of areas.

I want to be able to use my degree to make an impact and help others in whatever way I can. It has always been my dream to study at ANU and I feel so excited and privileged to be studying here.

What has been your favourite course or study experience so far and why?

My favourite course so far has been Torts (LAWS1203). I enjoy how practical and relevant the course is in being applicable to situations that occur in everyday life and how we regulate protecting personal interests in society.

What are some of the key goals you hope to accomplish during the course of your degree?

I hope to be able to really utilise my time to immerse myself in each course and learn as much as I can so that I can see what areas interest me the most. I will use this to narrow my focus to eventually work out what area of work I want to be involved in after I graduate.

One of my goals is also to use my non-law electives to explore other areas that interest me, for example, I have started studying Italian.

What advice would you give to new students who are coming to Canberra to study at ANU?

Immerse yourself in the ANU and Canberra community from the beginning. ANU has such a welcoming environment, so if something catches your interest, don’t be afraid to get involved. Really take advantage of all of the opportunities and the unique lifestyle that ANU has to offer, even if it’s joining in with a group playing football on the oval as you’re walking past.

In addition, the support staff are amazing, so don’t be afraid to reach out to them straight away if you need advice or assistance with your studies.

What do you hope to achieve with a law degree once you graduate?

At this stage, I haven’t decided. I’m really enjoying all the courses that I’m studying and am hoping that by the end of my degree I will have a more holistic view of what options are available and what I would like to involve myself in.

 I love the way a law degree teaches you to think more broadly about society and provides you with so many options.

What does it mean to you to have been awarded the Freilich Indigenous Student Scholarship in Law?

As a proud Australian and Kamilaroi man, I feel honoured to have been awarded the Freilich Indigenous Student Scholarship in Law. Receiving this scholarship has been instrumental in helping me achieve my personal and professional goals, as well as helping to relieve the financial burdens of starting my first year at ANU and the stress surrounding it.

Why do you think the Freilich Indigenous Student Scholarship in Law is important?

This scholarship is important as it helps provide Indigenous students in particular with an opportunity to reach their goals and pursue their career aspirations.

The scholarship encourages these students to do so, especially by helping to smooth the transition into the first year at ANU, by aiming to offset the initial financial burdens associated with the process.


Find out more about the Freilich Indigenous Student Scholarship in Law here.

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