• Event Videos
• Event Details & Gallery
• Key Speaker Profiles
• Sponsors

Thanks for being part of the Celebration!

Event Videos

Missed the celebration or want to relive the evening?

View the videos of the 2026 Volunteers and Partnerships Dinner below:

• Welcome to Country: Aunty Zeta Thomson
• Patron’s Welcome: The Hon Jennifer Coate AO
• Keynote Address: Dan Stubbs, Public Advocate
• CEO’s Address: Michael Smith
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Christine Cowin
• Pro bono Partnerships: Belinda Lo
• Full event recording

Event Details & Gallery

The evening commenced with a moving Welcome to Country by Aunty Zeta Thomson, followed by opening proceedings led by ECLC Chair Janet Matton. ECLC Patron, The Hon. Jennifer Coate AO, then delivered an inspiring opening address, reflecting on her own experience of volunteering and the value that volunteers bring to Eastern Community Legal Centre.

ECLC’s impactful work in Climate Justice and Elder Abuse was then highlighted through two engaging video presentations. This included the launch of a new Climate Justice video, showcasing key projects being led by the Centre, including a focus on how ECLC is working alongside stakeholders and partners to ensure local voices are centred in equitable disaster preparedness and planning for future climate impacts. Alongside this, a video on ECLC’s elder abuse work reinforced the Centre’s continuum approach and ongoing commitment to protecting the rights, safety and dignity of older people in the community.

Public Advocate Dan Stubbs featured as the night’s keynote speaker. Drawing on his professional expertise and lived experience with disability, Dan spoke powerfully about the need for equitable access to information and support. He also reflected on the vital role of volunteers and partners in strengthening the work of community legal centres to help bring accessible legal support to those who need it most.

Belinda Lo, ECLC’s Director of Legal Services, was joined by Jessica Smith from Gadens to present an insightful case study drawn from Jessica’s 12-month secondment with ECLC through a Pro Bono Partnership Program. Together, they shared a powerful moment from Jessica’s work, when a client, reflecting on Jessica’s exceptional support, remarked: “For you, this is a job, but for me, this is my life.” The story beautifully illustrated the profound impact of pro bono partnerships in providing legal support and advocacy for people when it matters most. You can watch a video recording of this segment here.

A major highlight of the evening was the announcement of volunteer, Christine Cowin as the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Honoured for her 15 years of exceptional service to the Centre, Christine has actively supported ECLC in a variety of roles, including serving on the Board for over 15 years. Christine has contributed to various Board Committees, been Deputy Chair for over 10 years, and has led a major constitution review for the Centre – demonstrating her steadfast commitment to human rights, fairness, and justice. Her expertise and strategy in family law and family violence advocacy have also played a pivotal role in shaping the organisation’s growth. Having attended more than 200 board meetings, Christine continues to bring the same enthusiasm, insights, and wisdom to the governance table as she did on day one. Congratulations, Christine, on this well-deserved honour!

The celebration concluded with an inspiring performance by Naarm-based Noongar musician Bumpy. Known for her magnetic presence and a voice described as “rippling with stars”, Bumpy blended soul, funk, jazz, and folk into an unforgettable live experience that captivated the audience. You can listen to Bumpy on Spotify or her 3RRR radio program ‘Pebbles’ on Sunday afternoons.

ECLC extends its sincere thanks to event sponsors Robinson Gill, Hall & Wilcox, Gadens, and Boroondara Council, whose longstanding support made the evening possible.

A video recording of the entire event will soon be available here and on ECLC’s Vimeo.

Key Speaker Profiles

Hosted by

The Hon. Jennifer Coate AO – ECLC Patron

The Hon Jennifer Coate has held a number of judicial appointments including Magistrate, Deputy Chief Magistrate, the inaugural President of the Children’s Court of Victoria, Judge of the County Court of Victoria, the first female State Coroner of Victoria, and Judge of the Family Court of Australia. She served for five years on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and in 2020 conducted an Inquiry into Hotel Quarantine in Victoria.

In January 2019, she was made an Officer of the Order of Australia. She was admitted as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law in May 2022, and was awarded Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) by Monash University in September 2023. Dr Coate is the Chair of the Victorian Victims of Crime Consultative Committee. She was appointed to the Victorian Law Reform Commission in June 2020 and reappointed for four years in July 2022. She served as Acting Chair of the VLRC from January 2024 to March 2025.

Welcome to Country

Aunty Zeta Thomson – Aboriginal Elder

Aunty Zeta Thomson is a descendant of the Yorta Yorta Nation through her mother and the Wurundjeri people through her father. She grew up in Shepparton and has strong links to her ancestral homelands. She has strong knowledge and understanding of her culture, which is profoundly influenced by her mother, father and grandmother.

She has had a long involvement in Aboriginal Affairs and especially around Justice working at the community level and she is currently the Deputy Chair of the Eastern Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee, member of the Women’s Correctional Services Advisory Committee and an Independent Prison Visitor.

Keynote Address

Dan Stubbs – Public Advocate, Office of the Public Advocate

Dan Stubbs is Victoria’s Public Advocate and Australia’s first Public Advocate with a declared disability.

He is strongly committed to the rights, safety and independence of people with disability. As a person with vision impairment who uses a screen reader, he understands how important accessible information and support are for full participation in community life.

Since November 2025, Dan has led the Office of the Public Advocate (OPA), an independent Victorian organisation that works to protect people with disability from abuse, neglect and exploitation.

As well as providing, guardianship, investigations, medical treatment decision support, advice and education, OPA also advocates for systemic changes, and recently made a Submission to the Disability Safeguards Consultation, highlighting important reforms to strengthen safety and rights.

OPA also trains and supports more than 500 volunteers who deliver key safeguarding programs across Victoria.

Dan has a long history of leadership in Australian systemic advocacy organisations of people with disability.  Before becoming Public Advocate, Dan was the Victorian Disability Workers Commissioner and has long experience in disability rights, health‑related decision making and community law.  He holds degrees in Law and Commerce and postgraduate qualifications in Development Economics and Legal Practice.

Special Guest

Bumpy – Naarm/Melbourne-based musical artist

Decorated Naarm/Melbourne-based artist and proud Noongar woman Bumpy is a captivating force with a voice that ripples stars. She creates a unique constellation of contemporary soul, funk, jazz and folk, brought to life on stages around the world alongside her insanely talented and commanding live band that take audiences on a “vibrant sonic journey” (The Music).

Bumpy has enraptured audiences all around the world, and off the back of her debut EP Morning Sun, has collected a number of prestigious accolades. Her debut album Kanana was released October 3 via Astral People Recordings, claiming 11 feature album selections with 2SER calling it “[a] masterclass in studio recording… It’s as uplifting and honest an album as they come, beautifully produced and the true standout of Australian soul music this year.“ Kanana was also listed amongst the best albums of 2025 for Rolling Stone and Double J.

Sponsorship

Eastern Community Legal Centre acknowledges the generous contribution and support from event sponsors Robinson Gill Lawyers, Hall & Wilcox and Gadens. Sponsorship allows the Centre to subsidise the cost of the dinner. No profit is made by Eastern Community Legal Centre.

Premier Supporter

For over 40 years Robinson Gill Lawyers has provided expert legal advice and a full complement of support services across all major areas of legal practice.

We understand that every client’s case is different and has its own unique requirements. We promise to work with you to ensure a holistic client centred service that delivers results.

Our team of lawyers hold Law Institute of Victoria Specialist Accreditation in the areas of Family Law, Personal Injury Law, Business Law and Commercial Litigation.

Major Supporters

We are a leading Australian law firm, delivering outstanding legal services to corporate, public sector and private clients, both Australian-based and those offshore doing business in Australia. Our purpose is to enable our clients, our people and our communities to thrive. Our success depends upon the success of our clients, our people, and the communities in which we live.

Our commitment to contributing to our communities is embedded in our firm culture. We deliver this through a range of areas, including our substantial pro bono work, community initiatives and partnerships, sustainable environmental and supply chain practices and our Emerging Artists Program.

The Hall & Wilcox Community Fund was launched in September 2023 to deliver philanthropic support to our community. The Fund’s goal is to improve human rights outcomes in the areas of housing, employment and education.

Gadens is a leading Australian law firm with over 100 partners and more than 600 staff across offices located in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. With our history dating back to 1847, our vision is to be a preeminent, independent firm renowned for providing outstanding client service, innovative solutions and value.

We regularly undertake highly complex and day-to-day transactional legal work for a wide range of clients across multiple industry sectors. Our clients include major Australian and multinational organisations – we are advisors to more than a quarter of the Top 200 companies listed on the ASX – as well as many small to medium-sized businesses, and high-net-worth families and individuals.

This event is proudly supported by City of Boroondara.