Media
‘SORT IT! A NEW LEGAL SERVICE TO ASSIST DEAKIN STUDENTS’
16th May 2012
Deakin University Student Association is celebrating the launch of its new free on-campus legal service. The service is part of a new partnership with the Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) and the Barwon Community Legal Service (BCLS).
The service is to be offered across all of Deakin’s campuses and available to off-campus students. DUSA president Toni Hawker says the legal service will be of enormous benefit to students, “The legal service is a great example of students’ money going directly to essential student services, an area that has long been neglected”.
The service will provide free and confidential legal advice, information, referral and education. Legal Advice will be given on a face-to-face appointment basis.
ECLC CEO Michael Smith says he’s expecting the on-campus Community Lawyers to be busy with student consultations as well as educating students about their legal rights. “It is fantastic to be able to be on campus to provide legal help to students when they need it. Many students may have a problem, but don’t recognise it as a legal issue. We’re really looking forward to working closely with DUSA and Deakin University to help students ‘Sort It’ out, before small problems get too big.”
International students, students with accommodation issues, and students with problems at work are expected to be big users of the new service.
Nick Hudson, Manager of BCLS in Geelong is enthusiastic about the new service. “We‘re excited about further building on our close relationship with Deakin University. We’ve worked with law students and the law school for about 20 Years and this is a great opportunity to extend that to the broader Deakin community.” Mr Hudson said.
ECLC & BCLS are working closely with DUSA to develop a service tailored to the specific needs of Deakin students and young people. The service partners are looking forward to empowering Deakin University Students to resolve their legal problems.
Appointments are available now by calling 9285 4822 (Burwood), 1300 430 599 (Geelong) or through DUSA Advocates on 1300 555 528. For details see http://eclc.org.au/deakin or www.dusa.org.au.
‘ECLC TESTS COMMUNITY’S LEGAL KNOWLEDGE’
May 14th, 2012
During Law Week (14-18 May), Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) is testing the public’s legal knowledge.
Recent ABS data shows law affects everyone. Nearly all of us witness crime. Many people feel unsafe out alone at night. Most of us have recently felt personal stress from illness, bereavement, unemployment, mental illness, divorce or separation. Many people suffer poor health or finances or need care.
Chief Executive Officer Michael Smith said the Centre’s Legal Quiz shows people that the law is something we know and use. “Law is not just for courts and lawyers. Law both resolves and prevents disputes. People often know their legal rights and duties without realising. Legal ‘know-how’ helps people get along during hard times.”
“People should see the law as more than complex jargon. They should also know legal support often helps prevent problems from worsening. For example, under some laws people must act before set deadlines. That’s where ECLC’s free legal advice and education can help.”
Almost two-thirds of Victorians felt personal stresses such as serious illness or injury, mental illness, divorce, separation and unemployment. Over one-quarter had recently relied on government support as their main income. Almost one-fifth had recent cash-flow problems. All of these issues have a potential legal dimension. (ABS 2010 General Social Survey)
The Victorian Law Week calendar is at www.victorialawfoundation.org.au.
Download a copy of the quiz here.
‘GOOD SPORTS HANDBALL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS’
March 28th, 2012
Human Rights are Aussie Rules, an innovative human rights education program for young Australians will launch it’s first online and smart phone game Today, Wednesday 28 March 2012 at 11am, Ringwood Secondary College.
“Handball for Human Rights is a new online game using kids’ love of Australian Rules Football to promote human rights principles” said Tanja Kovac, National Co-ordinator of the Human Rights are Aussie Rules Program. “The game, which is available for free download from our website is just one way the Human Rights are Aussie Rules educates and engages young people about human rights. Our program also uses theatre, workshops and sporting games to promote understanding of Freedom, Respect Equality and Dignity.”
“Human Rights are a part of everyday life – at school, at home, at work and on the sports field. Being a good sport in life means more than being the best, you also have to be the fairest. This is what the Human Rights are Aussie Rules project teaches young people” Tanja said.
Helping to launch the game will be Federal Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and AFL Diversity Ambassador and member of the Indigenous Team of the Century, Chris Johnson. Students at Ringwood Secondary College and Yarra Hills Secondary College who helped test the game will also be part of the launch.
Human Rights are Aussie Rules is a national education program using sport to teach young people about human rights. The program was commenced at the Eastern Community Legal Centre in 2008 and now has offices in WA and NT with more to follow. The program has been supported by the Federal Government’s Human Rights Framework Grants, the Victorian Government and Jinta Sport.
For all inquiries about the launch contact Michael Smith on 0421 437 883 or Tanja Kovac on 0419 910 577
www.humanrightsareaussierules.org.au
Download a copy of the media release here.
‘HANDBALL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AS FOOTY SEASON KICKS OFF’
THE HON NICOLA ROXON MP – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Management
MIKE SYMON MP – Member for Deakin
March 26th, 2012
Young footy fans are learning that playing fair on the field is just as important off the field through a new online game, ‘Handball for Human Rights’.
In launching ‘Handball for Human Rights’, Attorney-General Nicola Roxon congratulated the Eastern Community Legal Centre for engaging kids on human rights in such a practical way.
“Kids know that playing fair on the sports field is about showing respect to others and everyone having a go, this is how we should behave in all aspects of life,” Ms Roxon said.
“This is a uniquely Australian way of teaching kids about their human rights through the great levelling medium of Aussie rules football.
“The wonderful thing about sport, as a tool to educate, is that every person, regardless of their religion, background or heritage – is equal on the field.
“Australians understand this in sport – we want to spread this culture further.”
Local Member for Deakin Mike Symon said that just as there are expectations of fair play on the sports field, human rights are about fairness on the playing field of life.
“Across the electorate schools use ideas of ‘mutual respect’ and ‘fair play’, this is the language of both sport and human rights,” Mr Symon said.
The Handball for Human Rights program is part of the ‘Human Rights are Aussie Rules’ project funded by Australia’s Human Rights Framework – Education Grants. The project teaches children and young people about human rights by connecting fair play on the field to fair play in life. It uses sport to transform complicated human rights principles into fun and easy to understand ideas.
National Coordinator of the Human Rights are Aussie Rules Program, Tanja Kovac said that with the launch of Handball for Human Rights even more kids will be able to participate and learn about human rights.
“Human Rights are Aussie Rules is education and inspiration, sport is the medium and human rights are the message,” Ms Kovac said.
“As today’s launch shows, community organisations play a vital role in teaching the Australian community about human rights and I’m extremely pleased to be announcing a further grants round today” Ms Roxon said.
Australia’s Human Rights Framework—Education Grants is part of the Governments’ $12.4 million investment in human rights education initiatives across the community. This grant round is the 3rd and will provide $400,000 to community groups and non-government organisations across Australia.
Applications for Round 3 close at 5:00pm AEST on Wednesday 9 May 2012 and further information is available at www.ag.gov.au/hrgrants.
For all media enquiries, please contact the Attorney-General’s Office on 02 6277 7300 or 0409 945 476
Download a copy of the media release here.
‘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.