Legal Needs Research Calls for A Community Legal Centre for the Yarra Ranges

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) has called on the State and Federal governments to fund a Community Legal Centre based in the Yarra Ranges. The Centre has completed a legal research project highlighting a range of local issues where legal help is required.

The project was supported by a Reference Group of community agencies, police, Council and the Member for Seymour, Ben Hardman MP.

Eastern CLC CEO Michael Smith said the Centre was most concerned at the lack of access to legal and related services for local residents and communities. “ECLC was aware of some issues through our outreach services and bushfire response, but the results of the research were very striking. A large number of residents were unaware of any legal services available to them, and even if they do know, access is highly problematic due to the lack of public transport in the area.”

“A legal appointment with our lawyers is usually about 45 minutes. For Yarra Ranges residents this can become a day trip which is often impossible, especially for parents or people who are working. We have had clients come from East Warburton to our Boronia office for an evening appointment with a lawyer. In our view, this is not an acceptable service.”

In the last year ECLC assisted Yarra Ranges residents in 551 matters, but the vast majority had to go outside the municipality to access that help.

The legal needs study consulted with both local agencies and residents. A range of legal issues were identified, especially family violence and tenancy and housing issues.

The study found that the number of Intervention Orders sought by Victoria Police in response to family incidents was higher than any other municipality in the Eastern region. Police, the Court and agencies identified that the lack of legal and support services, as well as the difficulty in accessing these services due to transport issues creates difficulties for women and children needing assistance.

“Police, family violence support and legal services are working much better and more closely to respond to family violence. But when these services are not available, the system quickly breaks down.” Mr. Smith said. “The safety of women and children is a priority for us but clients from the Yarra Ranges are missing out.”

Tenancy issues were highlighted by the report with 86% of agency staff identifying this as a major concern. Local services for tenants are minimal and other community agencies are leaving their other work to assist residents who have to travel to Melbourne for tenancy hearings.

The campaign already has the support from a number of key community agencies in the Yarra Ranges including Yarra Valley Community Health, Anglicare, EDVOS, Anchor and Victoria Police.

The Reference Group identified Healesville as the preferred site for the new Community Legal Centre. There are high levels of need in this region and the police station has a high workload. A base in Healesville would also be able to respond to the Murrindindi region, an area with no free legal services, an issue exposed by the tragic bushfires.

ECLC has been very active in the response to the February bushfires in partnership with local agencies and still provides an advice service at the Yarra Glen Community Relief and Recovery Centre. CEO Michael Smith stated that this highlighted the urgency of a local service:

“ECLC was already aware of the needs of the local communities and was doing its best with limited resources. When confronted with the devastation of the Black Saturday bushfires, the Centre provided an intensive response – with volunteer and other support – and continues to work closely with the community for the long-term. However, this has highlighted the need for an ongoing base in the Yarra Ranges – an outreach service is only a temporary and inadequate response.”

Eastern Community Legal Centre provides legal advice, assistance and education to a vast area with a population of about 850,000 (about 17% of Victoria’s population). However, it struggles to effectively service the 140,000 residents of the Yarra Ranges municipality. A new Community Legal Centre in the Yarra Ranges would provide free legal advice and support for residents navigating the often complex legal system.

The report and proposal has been presented to the State and Commonwealth governments and other stakeholders. It is available to download here: ECLC Yarra Ranges Project Report. Residents, lawyers and organisations wishing to support the campaign are encouraged to contact the Centre’s Boronia office on 9762 6235 or 1300 79 70 88.

ECLC has for some time been concerned at the lack of access to legal and related services for residents of the Yarra Ranges. In September, the Centre commenced its Yarra Ranges Project, and is undertaking a legal needs study with the support of local agencies and the community.

• If you live or work for a community service organisation in the Shire of Yarra Ranges and want to help, please follow the link to fill out a short survey (please complete by December 4th) – Click here to take the survey.

The Shire of Yarra Ranges covers 2,467 square kilometres and has a population of over 140,000, making it one of the largest and most diverse municipalities in Melbourne??s metro fringe area.

ECLC’s Boronia office covers the municipalities of Knox, Maroondah and the Yarra Ranges. Since its inception thanks to state government support in 2005, a number of outreach services have been established to address the needs of the Shire of Yarra Ranges with monthly outreach services to Lilydale, Yarra Junction and more recently Healesville.

However, ECLC continues to struggle to offer the level of service required to respond to the Shire’s needs considering both the levels of disadvantage being experienced by a number of communities and access issues for residents in the Yarra Ranges. Combined with the devastation of the Black Saturday bushfires, this has highlighted the need for ECLC to respond to these needs of the Shire more effectively.

In the last financial year we have assisted residents of the Shire in 551 matters, but only a small percentage of these matters have been attended to at one of our existing outreach services.

Social work student, Stuart Wilson, is co-ordinating the research to establish an evidence base, consider the issues and make recommendations. His work is a key part of a targeted campaign that will build on ECLC’s established links in the Yarra Ranges.

A Yarra Ranges Reference Group has been established including representatives from Yarra Valley Community Health, Anglicare, ECLC, EDVOS EACH and the Council.

ECLC will keep the community informed as the work develops. Residents and agencies keen to participate may contact ECLC’s Boronia office on 9762 6235.

You are invited to the launch of the Human Rights are Aussie Rules Project, to be launched by the Attorney-General Rob Hulls. The Human Rights are Aussie Rules Project is an innovative school-based program teaching children about human rights through principles of fair play and good sportsmanship.The project has been developed by the Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) and an advisory board made up of sports administrators, human rights educators and advocates, lawyers and artists.

Human Rights are Aussie Rules Launch Details

Come along and see FRED’s Fair Play, a unique theatre production coaching primary aged children about Freedom, Respect, Equality and Dignity. Live performances from Carp Productions and the Blackburn English Language School.

When: Friday 11 September 2009

Where: Eley Park Community Centre
87 Eley Road Blackburn South
Melway Reference 61 H5

When: 1.00pm – 2.00pm

Become a Human Rights are Aussie Rules Supporter.

You can help kids from diverse racial, religious and cultural backgrounds learn and live in harmony by sponsoring our project. On the day we will also be launching a new website, http://www.humanrightsareaussierules.org.au providing you with opportunities to directly sponsor performance of FRED’s Fair play in schools and other locations.

Human Rights: Making Fair Play our Goal

This year, the countdown to the last week in September means more than just footy finals. It is also when the National Human Rights Consultation is due to make its final report to the Federal Government.

ECLC believes that because written rules ensure fair play on the sportsfield, they are also needed to ensure fair play in life. This is why we have called for the introduction of a Federal Human Rights Act. Please find attached the Eastern Community Legal Centre’s submission to the National Human Rights Consultation, Human Rights are Aussie Rules: Making Fair Play our Goal.

For more information about the launch contact Project Co-ordinator, Tanja Kovac on (03) 9285 4822 or 0419 910 577.

Human Rights are Aussie Rules Launch

Making Fair Play Our Goal – Eastern CLC – National HR Consultation submission

The search is on!

Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) is seeking participants for an exciting new opportunity for community members to make a difference.The newly established Diversity Consultancy Panel will provide advice and feedback about services and programs as they affect diverse communities. ECLC Manager Michael Smith says the members of the group will be making a difference and learning skills that will benefit them in their career and community life.

“The Panel provides a chance for community members to discuss and share opinions on legal issues facing their diverse communities.”

Melbourne’s eastern region is a diverse community with over 180 languages spoken. ECLC’s legal services reach well into these communities with over 23% of clients born outside Australia.

However the Centre is concerned that its legal and education services are not meeting these groups’ needs as well as they could. “We’re really hoping to improve how we respond to the legal needs of diverse communities better by utilising the input of this new panel”, Mr. Smith said.

The Centre is currently seeking volunteer members for the Panel, which will meet bi‘monthly in Box Hill. Eligible members will identify with a diverse faith, ethnicity or culture, be newly arrived or indigenous and have an interest in issues of equality, diversity, faith and culture. For more information, interested residents can contact Amy Johnstone on 9285 4822 or download a membership pack:

Diversity Panel Flyer

DCP Terms of Reference

Committee Member Position Description

The National Human Rights Consultation (NHRC), the Federal Government’s review into human rights protection in Australia, has now finalised its consultation stage with the broader Community. The Eastern Community Legal Centre made a spirited and comprehensive contribution to the debate through a written submission.

Human Rights-Aussie Rules: Making Fair Play our Goal uses the metaphor of sport and fair play to recommend better protection of human rights in Australia. The 31-page submission focuses on four case studies in our local community where existing human rights laws are failing vulnerable people – seniors, indigenous communities, young people and new arrivals to Australia. By focusing on our existing rights-based initiatives with Seniors Rights Victoria, YRIPP and outreach to indigenous and culturally diverse communities, we have provided the consultation committee with examples of real problems arising from the lack of human rights laws.

ECLC consulted widely with local community organisations while formulating the submission, including with the Aston Forum, Healesville Community Network, Knox Youth Network, Manningham Community Services Planning Group, Manningham Youth Providers Network, Maroondah Youth Network, Melbourne East General Practice Network and Shire of Yarra Ranges Youth Network.

To view a copy of ECLCs submission to the National Human Rights Consultation, click here

Law week is held in the 3^rd week of May each year to promote greater understanding of the law within the community. Eastern Community Legal Centre is celebrating Law Week with displays in many of the local libraries between the 11^th and 17^th of May focusing on legal issues relevant to senior Victorians.

Residents can visit their local library to collect information about the various services offered by the Eastern Community Legal Centre along with fact sheets on Fencing, Grandparenting and Elder Abuse and details on how to get their own copy of the new Older and Wiser guide. Older & Wiser includes information on 16 different topics including Wills and Powers of Attorney.

Co-ordinator of the Boronia office, Denise Budge, said that if residents were unable to visit their local library to collect this information they could contact the Boronia office on 9762 6235 or the Box Hill office on 9285 4822 and request this information be posted to them or visit the website at www.eclc.org.au.

Law Week is co-ordinated in Victoria by Victoria Law Foundation. In Victoria you can attend any number of free activities to celebrate Law Week ranging from open days, tours of courts and education sessions to name a few. The details of these events can be found on the Victoria Law Foundation Website www.victorialaw.org.au.

Michael Smith, Manager of the Eastern Community Legal Centre said, Àúit is a great opportunity for the community to learn about the law and the many services available and from a more local perspective, learn about the work that the Eastern Community Legal Centre has been doing including our ongoing presence at the Yarra Glen Recovery Centre providing assistance to those affected by the bushfires and our recent publication of “Older and Wiser”.

To find out more about Law Week, have information sent to you or make a free, confidential appointment to see a lawyer, call the Boronia office on 9762 6235 or the Box Hill office on 9285 4822.

Older and Wiser Factsheet – Elder Abuse

Older and Wiser Factsheet – Fencing

Older and Wiser Factsheet – Grandparenting

ECLC thanks the Councils of the Cities of Whitehorse, Knox and Manningham for their support of the Older & Wiser guides.

ECLC and Seniors Rights Victoria invite you to the launches of Seniors Rights Victoria – Eastern Region, the SRV website and Older and Wiser, A Guide to Common Legal Issues for Older Residents of Knox.

They will be launched by the Minister for Senior Victorians, the Hon Lisa Neville MP, the Hon James Merlino MP and Cr Sue McMillan, Knox City Council at 11.00am Wednesday 27th May 2009 at ECLC in Boronia.

RSVP essential by 21st May.

For a copy of the invitation, click here.

Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) is holding its annual volunteer dinner on Thursday May 14. This year the event will also raise funds to support the bushfire affected communities.

Many of the residents of our communities, particularly in the Shire of Yarra Ranges, were directly affected by the bushfires and ECLC has been working hard with many others to provide support and assistance to these people. This support would not have been able to be provided without the generous assistance of both the Centre’s volunteers and local legal practitioners.

The dinner is a thank you to all of these volunteers. It is being held in Box Hill on Thursday May 14^th and will be attended by Centre volunteers, Board members and staff as well as legal practitioners and supporters from throughout the eastern region. The Centre’s patron, Chief Magistrate Ian Gray, will host the event. Guest speakers will include Christine Nixon, the Chair of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority and Yarra Glen resident Dorothy Barber.

Funds raised from the event will be used to support Cameron House a Yarra Glen project to re-establish a local medical clinic. As there are currently no local medical facilities, many bushfire affected persons with ongoing health problems are forced to travel to Healesville or Lilydale for medical assistance. It is also a resource that we expect that ECLC would be able to utilise for our ongoing programs in the area.

If you would like to sponsor this event, attend or offer your support by making a donation, please contact our Box Hill office.

To view a copy of the invitation, please click here.

Yarra Glen has been without a doctor since the closure of the Yarra Valley Clinic’s Yarra Glen surgery in September 2007. Local residents and supporters formed the Yarra Glen Medical Precinct Group to respond to this need and have been working since this time to not only have a local GP presence but establish an ongoing health facility that responds to local needs. Community members who have difficulty with transport, particularly young families and older people who find it difficult to afford the time and the expense of travelling to a clinic in other towns are a priority for the group.

The project has received some support from the Shire of Yarra Ranges towards rent and development and has secured a location (Cameron House) from the local Uniting Church. Cameron House is described as not just a medical centre, but a healing centre where the community can gather, get the support they need, get information and feel that they have some local ownership of the project.

The centre is operational with a physiotherapist, two psychologists running clinics. In addition some massage therapists and a kinesiologist are currently providing free services to those affected by the bushfires.

The Group is still working diligently to secure a GP to be based at the clinic. The recent bushfires have clearly highlighted the need for such a service as people need long term treatment and support with a range of physical and mental health issues.

ECLC is also delighted that Dorothy Barber, chair of the Yarra Glen Medical Precinct Group has agreed to be a guest speaker at the Volunteer Dinner.

Bushfire Legal Response Fact Sheet

ECLC has released a new fact sheet regarding the legal response available to people affected by the Bushfires in our community. This resource is designed for those assisting people affected but is publicly available.

For a copy of this fact sheet, click here.

May 7, 2009

ECLC leads local Bushfire Response

Lawyers and community volunteers in Melbourne’s east have offered to give free legal advice to people affected by the fires in their region. Michael Smith, Manager of ECLC, said that people were keen to help in whatever way they can. “Within the destruction and loss of the fires, people will have concerns about a range of issues with a legal dimension – insurance, property matters, tenancy issues, replacing legal documents, estate issues and more.”

February 13, 2009

Bushfire Legal Help

Eastern CLC, other CLCs and the Federation of CLCs, VLA, the private profession through the LIV and PILCH and the Victoria Law FOundation are working together to assist people affected by the bushfires.

Following an intensive period where ECLC co-ordinated teams for Bushfire Legal Help on a daily basis, we are now offering a WEEKLY service at the Yarra Glen Recovery Centre.

Bushfire Legal Help is providing on site legal assistance on both an appointment and drop-in basis. Teams of lawyers will be on site at Yarra Glen from 1.00pm – 3.00pm on THURSDAYS. ECLC is co-ordinating this service with all the partners.

Appointments are preferred – PLEASE CALL 1300 79 70 88.

A statewide Bushfire Legal Help hotline has been established on 1800 113 432 (Monday to Friday). This service will provide initial information and can transfer calls to lawyers to provide free assistance.

For latest details see: ECLC Bushfire Legal Help

Agencies are free to distribute as required, with a focus on the Yarra Ranges and surrounding areas.

Updated April 28, 2009

People affected seeking legal assistance

Members of the community can also contact the Eastern Community Legal Centre on
1300 79 70 88, as well as the usual numbers. Telephone and ‘in person’ advice is available.

People on the western side of the mountain (Kinglake communities) may contact Whittlesea Community Legal Service on 9401 665.

People in Bendigo can contact the Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre on 1800 639 121

People in the Wallan/Wandong area can contact the Broadmeadows Community Legal Service on 9302 3911.

Legal Volunteers

- February 11, 2009

Eastern Community Legal Centre is working with VLA, LIV, and other CLCs through the Federation of CLCs to respond to the legal needs of those affected by the bushfire through a co-ordinated approach (Bushfire Legal Help). For details, please download and read the attached file and use the form to return to the Centre. ECLC is delighted with the amazing response from the legal community in our region and will manage the response in our area. We thank the many firms offering assistance at this very difficult time.

ECLC Bushfire Volunteers – pdf version

ECLC Bushfire Volunteers – Word version

Legal Support for Bushfire Victims

- Media Statement: February 10, 2009

Lawyers and community volunteers in Melbourne’s east have offered to give free legal advice to people affected by the fires in their region.

Michael Smith, Manager of Eastern Community Legal Centre, said that people were keen to help in whatever way they can.

“Within the destruction and loss of the fires, people will have concerns about a range of issues with a legal dimension – insurance, property matters, tenancy issues, replacing legal documents, estate issues and more.”

“People can call the Centre now and our lawyers will assist people directly and work with our pro bono partners to provide longer term assistance as needed.”

ECLC already operates a Healesville legal clinic and will expand this to respond to needs of the affected people in our communities.

The Centre is also working with Victoria Legal Aid, its existing volunteer lawyers and paralegals and a number of law firms offering pro bono (free) assistance.

“We are committed to responding to the needs of our communities across the east and will assist in whatever way we can. The Community Legal Centre relies on the voluntary support of legal practitioners and others who are keen to give back to the community” Mr Smith said.

People seeking legal advice can contact the Eastern Community Legal Centre on 1300 79 70 88. Telephone and Àúin person advice is available.

Key Phone Contact for Yarra Ranges and Knox residents (but all can call):

Eastern Community Legal Centre (9am – 5pm): 1300 79 70 88

People on the western side of the mountain (Kinglake communities) may contact Whittlesea Community Legal Service on 9401 6655

People in Bendigo can contact the Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre on 1800 639 121

Media Release – Bushfire Response