Community in law since '74 | Eastern Community Legal Centre

Community in law since ’74

Missed the celebration or want to relive the evening?

View the videos of the 50th celebration on May 17th 2024 below:

Special 50th Birthday videos debuted on the night:

Video 1 detailing the History of the Centre
Video 2 features past and present volunteers talking about their experiences with the Centre
Video 3 features birthday greetings for the Centre
Video of the graphic recording of the night, by Debbie Wood

On May 17, ECLC was delighted to be joined by 330 volunteers, staff and guests in celebrating its 50th Birthday Volunteers and Partnerships Dinner at Manningham Function Centre.

It was an unforgettable evening that included a Patron address by Justice Jennifer Coate AO, a powerful Welcome to Country by Aunty Zeta Thomson, keynote address by the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC, musical storytelling by Ash Dargan and plenty of reflections from the Centre’s 50 years of Community in Law.

Michael Smith, ECLC CEO said it was such a fantastic night for the Centre to celebrate 50 years of Community in Law with volunteers and special guests, and hearing from the Federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus directly was a highlight of the evening.

“The Centre has certainly come a long way over the last 50 years and none of this would have been possible without the enormous hard work of those that forged the path before us and throughout and for that, we are extremely grateful,” he added.

“It was so encouraging to hear directly from the Attorney-General who delivered a keynote message of hope and acknowledged the Centre’s tireless efforts over the 50 years. ECLC looks forward to continued support from the Attorney-General in continuing our journey of human rights, fairness and justice,” added Michael.

Federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus delivered ECLC’s 50th Birthday keynote address to a packed room and acknowledged this was “an occasion to mark half a century of dedicated service and advocacy. He also commended “the tireless efforts of all those who’ve worked so hard over the last 50 years to make ECLC a pillar of support and guidance for this community.”

Thank you Attorney General for your encouragement and recognition of the Centres ongoing efforts, alongside those of the broader community legal sector.

The Centre was also thrilled to welcome ECLC founder, Erskine Rodan OAM, Rosie Batty AO, Uncle Eddie Thomson, Aunty Dr. Lois Peeler AM, Aunty Daphne Milward, and Simone Thomson to the event.

Long time volunteer, Brendan McCarthy was honoured with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award for his 40+ years of service to the community. The Centre also took time to acknowledge previous Lifetime Achievement Award winners and thanked its loyal volunteers, without which the Centre would not be able to do its vital work.

If you missed out, you can watch videos covering key moments from the evening above, as well as the special 50th Birthday videos that debuted on the night:

Video 1 detailing the History of the Centre
Video 2 features past and present volunteers talking about their experiences with the Centre
Video 3 features birthday greetings for the Centre
Video of the graphic recording of the night, by Debbie Wood

Thanks also to parliamentary representatives for their support, including Federal MPs Dr Carina Garland, Mary Doyle and Keith Wolahan, and State MPs including Parliamentary Secretary for Justice Nina Taylor, Shadow AG Michael O’Brien, Shadow Minister for Women Cindy McLeish, Paul Hamer, Nick McGowan and Richard Welch.

The Centre is also grateful for the support of Councils across Melbourne’s East who were well represented including Mayors Cr. Carli Lange (Manningham), Cr. Jude Dwight (Knox) Cr. Kylie Spears, (Maroondah), Cr. Denise Massoud (Whitehorse) and Cr. Sophie Todorov (Yarra Ranges).

Read more about ECLC 50th Birthday in this recent Star Mail article here.

ECLC acknowledges the generous contribution and support from event sponsors below.

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Page updated August 5, 2026

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