Heather Lin̄i-Leo Matas (died 2016) was a lawyer from

Vanuatu Vanuatu ( or ; ), officially the Republic of Vanuatu (; ), is an island country in Melanesia located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is east of northern Australia, northeast of New Caledonia, east o ...

. She was the country's first indigenous female lawyer. Lin̄i-Leo was born and raised on

Pentecost Island Pentecost is one of the 83 islands that make up the Oceania, South Pacific nation of Vanuatu. It lies due north of capital Port Vila. Pentecost is known as in French language, French and in Bislama. The island was known in its native lan ...

, the eighth of ten children and sister to

Walter Lin̄i Walter Hadye Lin̄i ( ; 1942 – 21 February 1999) was a Raga Anglican priest and politician who was the first Prime Minister of Vanuatu, from independence in 1980 to 1991. He was born at Agatoa village, Pentecost Island. Lin̄i was a key figure ...

, the future first Prime Minister of Vanuatu. She attended primary school at Nazareth on North Pentecost and high school at the British Secondary School (present-day Malapoa College). Lin̄i-Leo studied law at the

University of Papua New Guinea The University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) is a university located in Port Moresby, capital of Papua New Guinea. It was established by ordinance of the Australian administration in 1965. This followed the Currie Commission which had enquired ...

, at the

Victorian Bar The Victorian Bar is the bar association of the Australian State of Victoria. The 2024-2025 President of the Bar is Justin Hannebery KC. Its members are barristers registered to practice in Victoria. Those who have been admitted to practice ...

Association in Australia and in the United Kingdom. Lin̄i-Leo was principal legal officer at the National Provident Fund in Vanuatu. She also served in the State Law Office as Legal Counsel to the Attorney General, in the Public Solicitor's Office, the Ombudsman Office and as Public Prosecutor.

References

2016 deaths People from Penama Province University of Papua New Guinea alumni Vanuatuan lawyers Women lawyers Year of birth missing {{Vanuatu-bio-stub

See also

References