History - ARC Justice

Our organisation

ARC Justice (Advocacy and Rights Centre Ltd.) was established in 2000. We have a long history of community engagement, partnerships, advocacy and campaigning, beginning as a tenancy rights and advocacy service in Bendigo and going on to establish two community legal centres in Bendigo and Shepparton.

Our programs now provide legal and tenancy support services across ten local government areas in central and northern Victoria, with a team of 37 staff working to advocate for and uphold the rights of rural and regional Victorians.

See the timeline below showing how our organisation has grown and evolved over the last 20 years in partnership with the community.

February 2, 1998

Housing Council renamed to Tenancy Support & Consultancy Services

In 1998, the Housing Council became the Tenancy Advocacy & Support (TAS) Service, managed by Margaret Augerinos (now CEO of the Centre for Non-Violence in Bendigo), …

February 2, 1998

April 5, 2000

Advocacy and Rights Centre Ltd. formed

In 2000, the Advocacy and Rights Centre Ltd. was formed, incorporating the Tenancy Advocacy & Support (TAS) Service.

April 5, 2000

May 1, 2002

“Through Women’s Eyes” report identifies need for a community legal service in Bendigo

In 2002, the Emergency Accommodation and Support Enterprise (also known as EASE, forerunner to the Centre for Non-Violence) release their report Through Women’s Eyes: Police …

May 1, 2002

September 25, 2003

“Access to Justice in the Loddon Campaspe Region” report supports call to establish a Community Legal Centre in Bendigo

In 2003, following legal needs research and community consultation, a report on Access to Justice in the Loddon Campaspe Region was completed by the Advocacy …

September 25, 2003

October 1, 2004

Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre (LCCLC) established as a pilot project

In 2004, the Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre (LCCLC) was established in Bendigo as a two-year pilot project, implemented by the Advocacy and Rights Centre …

October 1, 2004

February 14, 2005

Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre established as an ongoing program

In 2005, the Advocacy & Rights Centre Ltd. received funding from the Victorian Government to establish a permanent legal service for the Loddon Campaspe region. …

February 14, 2005