MOKBEL RETURN IMPACTS LOCAL VOLUNTEERS
Media Release: 30/05/2008
The Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) annual dinner was caught out last week by
the return of international fugitive Tony Mokbel. The event was to be hosted by the Centre’s Patron, Chief Magistrate Ian Gray and feature Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Simon Overland.
Tony Mokbel returned to Melbourne on Saturday May 17 and appeared before Chief Magistrate Ian Gray on Tuesday May 20. The legal proceedings were adjourned. As DC Overland still oversees the Purana Taskforce, Mr. Gray withdrew from the Dinner to ensure that no conflict-of-interest could be perceived.
Deputy Commissioner Overland attended the annual Volunteers Dinner and ECLC was
delighted to welcome him as its Special Guest. The Dinner recognises the amazing
contribution that over 100 volunteers make to the Centre on an ongoing basis.
DC Overland shared with the gathering the importance of the family violence work and how services like ECLC are assisting clients through the Intervention Order Support Service, which is facilitated by staff and pro-bono lawyers along with paralegal volunteers. He also outlined how Victoria Police were responding more actively to family violence and the ongoing improvements being made to ensure victims were being assisted beyond the initial call out, through referral to support services.
At the end of his speech, DC Overland “subjected himself to cross-examination”,
encouraging questions from the volunteer lawyers and paralegals, which provided a great opportunity for an insight into the developments and cultural change occurring within Victoria Police.
This year, over 20 YRIPP (Youth Referral & Independent Person Program) volunteers were welcomed to the Volunteer Dinner and presented with certificates acknowledging the completion of their training. YRIPP provides trained volunteers to support young people through police interviews where a parent or guardian is unavailable. YRIPP also refers young people to culturally appropriate health and welfare support services to reduce their chances of future offending. The Eastern YRIPP program is operated by the Centre for Multicultural Youth in partnership with ECLC.
Volunteers are an integral part of ECLC and provide valued support to staff and the community. Michael Smith, Manager, acknowledged the hard work and diversity of roles that ECLC’s volunteers carry out. “Not only do we have volunteers during the evening helping clients, as well as during the day, but at 3am in the morning, there could be an ECLC YRIPP (Youth Referral & Independent Person) volunteer helping out a young person somewhere in the eastern region.”
Eastern Community Legal Centre provides free legal advice and assistance to the communities of the East, as well as undertaking community development and education projects. Eastern CLC has a small staff team and over 100 volunteers, offices in Boronia and Box Hill and six outreach locations. While open to all, most people seeking assistance are on low incomes and a large number are from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
ECLC has 14 volunteer programs assisting with day time clients, evening sessions, outreach services, the Intervention Order Support Service at Ringwood Court, community projects and festivals.
If you would like more information on ECLC’s services, or to find out more about being an
ECLC or YRIPP volunteer, please visit the website www.eclc.org.au or call the Box Hill office on 9285 4822 or the Boronia office on 9762 6235.