Media
‘ANNA BURKE MP SPEAKS FOR EASTERN COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTRE’
November 14th, 2011
At the Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) annual general meeting held November 9, 2011, Anna Burke, Federal Member for Chisholm spoke on the valuable contribution ECLC makes to her electorate.
“To everybody involved in this terrific organisation a huge thank you for offering your time and services to these individuals who are often the most vulnerable, at their wit’s end, who need that support. You offer an invaluable service,” Ms Burke said.
“We often have this misconception that in the eastern suburbs there isn’t a need for a service such as this. I disagree with that, it is vital to offer this support to the community.”
Chisholm covers an area of approximately 61 square kilometres in the south-eastern suburbs from Box Hill North to Oakleigh, from Glen Waverley and Mount Waverley to Burwood and Chadstone.
ECLC covers a much broader area than Chisholm and is one of the largest by population of all community legal centres in Australia. It covers six local government areas: Boroondara, Manningham, Whitehorse, Maroondah, Yarra Ranges and Knox.
It offers free legal assistance from its offices in Box Hill and Boronia during the day, at night and also through various outreach locations across the East, with a priority given to those who are disadvantaged. In addition to direct legal services, ECLC undertakes community development activities to empower, raise awareness and provide education.
This year’s ECLC annual report and general meeting had the theme “Access All Areas” with a focus on its six priority areas – family violence, the Yarra Ranges, human rights education, seniors rights, cultural diversity and children and young people.
“We must ensure we offer access to all areas. It doesn’t matter what your culture is, what your language level is, what your age is. Ms Burke said. “We must ensure we are providing enough financial support into the system to ensure everybody has equal access.”
Ms Burke’s office refers people to the ECLC often and she says that it is “vitally important that we continue to fund the centres, not just to do the case work” but also the outreach work and community development.
The ECLC annual report 2011 is available, for a copy please call 03 9285 4822 or download a copy here.
Photo: L to R Helen Killmier Chairperson ECLC, Anna Burke MP, Michael Smith CEO ECLC
‘ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR MANNINGHAM’
September 14, 2011
Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) is calling for ongoing council support for its legal outreach services in Bulleen following the release of a research report that highlights the disadvantage experienced by many in the community.
The ‘Access to Justice for Manningham’ report released this week explores the legal needs and challenges faced by the Bulleen and surrounding communities in the City of Manningham. It also evaluates the effectiveness of the service model adopted by ECLC?s Bulleen Outreach Service.
The report confirmed that key legal issues experienced by Bulleen and surrounding communities include disturbingly high rates of family violence, complex debt and infringement matters and housing and tenancy issues. A clear majority of clients who sought support from the Outreach service were on low incomes and many had not previously accessed legal support.
Census data shows that Bulleen residents experience a higher rate of disadvantage in comparison the Manningham as a whole, with more low income earners, an older population, and lower car ownership. ECLC?s research shows that these issues compound already complex legal issues by making access to the legal system more difficult. It identified that all clients of the Bulleen Outreach service to date had experienced transport issues to some extent and might have not otherwise accessed a legal service were it not for the outreach location.
ECLC CEO Michael Smith says the research highlights the need for services in Bulleen. “The Bulleen Outreach Service is one of the few community services physically located in Bulleen, reaching those who need legal support the most. This research shows that for some residents, significant barriers prevent them from accessing legal services and demonstrates the need to continue to operate a local service.”
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. ECLC has a small staff team and over 100 volunteers, offices in Box Hill and Boronia and nine 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.
The Centre established a legal outreach service at Bulleen and Templestowe Community House (BATCH) with the support of a Community Development Grant from Manningham City Council. The Bulleen Outreach has now been running since March 2010 and provides legal advice and assistance to residents in Manningham who are unable to attend the Box Hill Office. To make an appointment for legal advice, please contact ECLC on 9285 4822.