History

Timeline

15/07/2019

GVCLC Submission to Spent Convictions Scheme

GVCLC provides written and oral submissions to the Parliament of Victoria’s Inquiry into Legislated Spent Convictions

10/04/2019

Maryborough Therapeutic Justice Project launches

The official launch of the Maryborough Therapeutic Justice Project in partnership with Maryborough District Health Service (MDHS) and Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre. Project embeds a social worker from MDHS and two lawyers from LCCLC working closely together with a community development worker to identify clients with complex legal and health needs at Maryborough Magistrates’ Court, and to link these clients into appropriate legal, health and social services.

22/03/2019

Opening of the Shepparton Division of the Family Drug Treatment Court

GVCLC responds to the Opening Remarks of the President of the Children’s Court, HH Judge Chambers, marking the official opening of the Shepparton Division of the Family Drug Treatment Court. FDTC_opening_comments22March2019

15/11/2018

Talking Justice event: Speaking Truth to Power

Populist and often politically driven attacks on institutions like the judiciary and the Human Rights Commission are on the rise, with serious implications for justice and democracy. This event featured former Human Rights Commissioner and author of Speaking Up, Gillian Triggs, Hugh de Kretser (Executive Director of the Human Rights Law Centre) and Misha Ketchell (Editor of The Conversation) in this timely discussion. Moderated by ARC Justice Executive Office, Hayley Mansfield.

23/07/2018

GVCLC establishes an Employment Law service

GVCLC establishes an Employment Law service for Working Holiday Makers in partnership with specialist Community Legal Centre, JobWatch. Funded by the Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources through Victorian Legal Aid. The establishment of this service followed ongoing reports of serious underpayments and poor working conditions for fruit and vegetable pickers in the Goulburn Valley.

19/05/2018

Ceremonial First Sitting of Supreme Court in Shepparton

On 19 May 2018 our Manager & Principal Lawyer, Kaz Gurney, spoke at the ceremonial first sitting of the Supreme Court of Victoria at the new Shepparton Courts. Kaz addressed Chief Justice Ferguson, Justices Osborn and Beach, other members of the Judiciary, local Elder Uncle Bobby Nicholls and Victorian Bar President, Dr Matt Collins QC.

17/05/2018

Talking Justice Event : #MeToo movement

Talking Justice presenters Van Badham, Moira Rayner and Kate Wright tackled the #MeToo movement. They were asked to consider if the concerns regarding due process and the presumption of innocence were still valid in the social media age? And how could the rights of the accused be balanced with accountability, change and the need to create a safe environment for women to share their stories?

24/11/2017

Knock it off! Door to door sales and consumer harm in Victoria report

Knock it off! Door to door sales and consumer harm in Victoria – joint report with Consumer Action Law Centre and West Justice (Nov 2017) This report contributes to years of work by Victorian community legal centres in the field of unsolicited sales. It draws on the collective experience of practitioners who have dealt with the harm done by unsolicited sales over the past few decades. Download Report

01/08/2017

Joint submission by GVCLC and LCCLC to Victoria’s Inquiry into Police corruption

LCCLC and GVCLC provide written and oral submissions to the Parliament of Victoria’s Inquiry into Police corruption. Amongst other things, drawing attention to the particular difficulties of making a police complaint when living in a rural or regional location. Submission to Inquiry

19/05/2017

Talking Justice Event: Law Week 2017

Our speakers in 2017 Law week ranged over topics such as Family Law, Traditional indigenous values, Digital Disruption, and Transgender children’s rights. Click below to view videos of Individual speakers. Dr Renata Alexander – The current challenges facing Family Law Kylie Beckhouse –The current challenges facing Family Law Diana Bryant AO – The current challenges facing Family Law Liana Buchanan – Children in the justice system Nick Espie – Restorative Justice and traditional Indigenous values Claudia Fatone – Children in the justice system Gerard Holmes – The current challenges facing Family Law Joanne Jacobs – Digital disruption and social justice Dr Fiona Kelly..Read More

25/10/2016

Hayley Mansfield Appointed new Executive Officer

Loddon Campaspe CLC is thrilled to announce the appointment of Hayley Mansfield as ARC Justice’s new Executive Officer. Hayley’s appointment heralds an exciting new chapter for our organisation, looking forward to empowering disadvantaged and vulnerable rural Victorians. Hayley was previously the General Manager, Family and Community Services at Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative. She previously worked with the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Baptcare and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. Hayley commenced with ARC Justice on the 31st of October, 2016

05/10/2016

ARC Justice relocates to 171 Hargreaves St Bendigo

From Monday 4 September 2017, ARC Justice, Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre and Housing Justice are based at 171 Hargreaves St, Bendigo. This central new location benefits clients, as well as being next door to Bendigo Community Health Services.

01/07/2016

GVCLC establishes a Health-Justice Partnership with Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative Ltd

The Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre commenced a Health Justice Partnership with Rumbalara Aboriginal Corporation, which is a major regional Aboriginal Community Health Service. The service provides a therapeutic model of legal service delivery which engages clients with health and social welfare supports in a culturally sensitive environment. to address the personal issues underlying their involvement in the justice system. Program initially funded by Victorian Legal Aid through it’s Innovations & Transformations fund.

20/05/2016

Talking Justice Event: Law Week 2016

In late May, more than 500 people attended Talking Justice at the Capital and Ulumbarra Theatres as part of Law Week 2016.Highlights included Shane Howard and Martin Flanagan’s unique double-hander on justice and the creative journey; Julian Burnside, Paris Aristotle and Felicity Gerry on human rights in an era of unprecedented global dislocation; Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa’s inspiring quest for global equality; and Rowena Allan’s often hilarious take on gender, sexuality and diversity.

13/11/2015

GVCLC starts Therapeutic Justice partnership

The Therapeutic Justice Program was launched on the 13 of November 2015 at the Old Courthouse in Shepparton and officiated by His Honour Peter Lauritsen, the Chief Magistrate of Victoria. The Therapeutic Justice Program is a partnership between Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre (GVCLC) and Primary Care Connect (PCC), funded by the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner. The program provides a holistic health and legal case management service that assists users of the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court in addressing their underlying complex health and personal issues by connecting them with appropriate support services and consequently placing them in a better..Read More

29/05/2015

Completion of “Will Somebody Listen To Me” report

Completion of “Will Somebody Listen To Me: Insight Actions and hope for women experiencing family violence in regional Victoria” report. Major contribution to Royal Commission on Family Violence, with the report providing responses from over 200 women, and supporting direct representation of more women than any other legal service. Download Report Here

16/05/2015

Talking Justice: Law Week 2015

Talking Justice event brought speakers on issues such as Obesity, Health, Global Poverty, Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and Freedom of Speech. On Friday night, at the tail end of Law Week 2015, former Australian of the Year Professor Mick Dodson opened the event with a discussion about welfare, entitlement and recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Professor Dodson was followed by Dr Helen Szoke, CEO of Oxfam Australia, who considered these issues in a national context, then shifted to the global context, where need continues to outstrip compassion. On Saturday morning, Human Rights Commissioner Tim..Read More

01/10/2014

Advocacy and Rights Centre begins trading as ARC Justice

Advocacy and Rights Centre begins trading as ARC Justice. Tenant Advocacy and Support service renamed to Housing justice.

19/05/2014

First Talking Justice event – Law Week 2014

First “Talking Justice” event organised as part of Law Week in Bendigo. Event has since brought some of Australia’s finest speakers with a range of perspectives to Bendigo over topics as diverse as public health policy to refugees, social justice and the creative process, the environment, crime and punishment, restorative justice, transgender rights and sexuality. The first Taking Justice event asked a distinguished line-up of speakers to address the place of the law and justice in a free society. More than 240 people bought tickets to this inaugural Bendigo event and some sessions were booked out. Click on Video links below..Read More

02/12/2013

Peter Noble appointed as Executive Officer, Advocacy & Rights Centre Ltd

Peter Noble took on the Executive Officer role after working for a number of years as Coordinator of the Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre since 2005.

04/10/2013

Goulburn Valley CLC submission to Methamphetamine Inquiry

Goulburn Valley CLC made a submission to the Victorian Parliament’s Law Reform, Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee. In it we shared our experience and stressed that substance abuse often goes hand in hand with offences involving dishonesty and violence, including family violence. We also noted that there was growing use of ice in our community and that existing strategies have been ineffective or inadequate and have contributed to the increased use of the drug within the Goulburn Valley. Download submission here

01/01/2013

Health Justice Partnership with Bendigo Community Health Service commences

In 2013 Clayton Utz funded Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre to embed a free legal service at Bendigo Community Health Service (BCHS). Health-Justice Partnerships recognise that many legal conflicts manifest as health issues and that by working together, health and legal service providers stand a better chance of helping clients address their health, social and legal issues. The partnership between Loddon Campaspe CLC and Bendigo Community Health Services (BCHS) embeds a Lawyer at the health service’s Kangaroo Flat site three days a week to provide legal advice and casework to vulnerable and disadvantaged clients. The relationship between the lawyer and..Read More

01/08/2012

Opening of Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre

Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre (GVCLC) established in Maude Street, Shepparton with Principal Lawyer Kaz Gurney following years of campaigning and advocacy by local supporters including health services and private lawyers led by LCCLC. Core funding of $200k provided by Victorian Government Although the Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre had been up and running for some time, it was only officially opened at its new Shepparton premises on the 25th of November 2013. The Hon. Dr. Sharman Stone kindly found time in her busy schedule to officiate. We were particularly pleased that Dr Stone could join us as she was an..Read More

01/08/2012

Advocacy-Health Alliances – Better Health Through Medical-Legal Partnership report released

The “Advocacy-Health Alliances – Better Health Through Medical-Legal Partnership” report released, written by Peter Noble after receiving a grant from the Clayton Utz Foundation. Download Report here

01/03/2012

Jane Staley commences as Executive Officer

Jane Staley commences as Executive Officer of Advocacy and Rights Centre

01/11/2011

Safe Keeping report produced by the Loddon Campaspe CLC

Safe Keeping report produced by the Loddon Campaspe CLC in response to the case of missing person Daniel Rosewall lead to the creation of legislation in Victoria to deal with missing persons and the rights of families. Download Report Here

02/05/2011

Peter Noble from LCCLC researches Medical Legal partnerships in USA

LCCLC Principal Lawyer Peter Noble awarded a Clayton UTZ Fellowship to research Medical Legal Partnerships in the USA.

28/05/2010

Report produced on Protecting the Estates of Missing Persons

Report produced on “Protecting the Estates of Missing Persons” after an LCCLC client, a father of a missing person, was found to have no legal means through which to deal with his missing son’s estate Download Report Here

02/03/2009

Advocacy and Rights Centre Moves to 54 Mitchell St Bendigo

07/11/2008

Loddon Campaspie Community Legal Centre win’s Tim McCoy award and Peter Noble awarded Community Lawyer of the Year

Loddon Campaspie Community Legal Centre win’s Tim McCoy award and Peter Noble, Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre (LCCLC) principal solicitor awarded Community Lawyer of the Year in 2008 In his work with the LCCLC and before that the Fitzroy Legal Service, Mr Noble has made an outstanding contribution to access to justice and the community legal sector. He was integral to the establishment of Victoria’s first specialist advocacy service for senior Victorians and guided important research into the legal needs of homeless people in the Loddon Campaspe region. More info on 2008 Law Institute of Victoria Awards here

29/10/2008

Access to Justice in the Goulburn Valley Region report

Completion of “Access to Justice in the Goulburn Valley Region” Demonstrating the need for a Goulburn Valley Region Community Legal Centre. This report eventually helped lead to the establishment of the Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre. Download Report Here

01/03/2007

Alex Mactier Commences as Executive Officer

Alex Mactier Commences as Executive Officer of Advocacy and Rights Centre

01/02/2006

Advocacy and Rights Centre moves to 29 Queen St Bendigo

Advocacy and Rights Centre moves to 29 Queen St Bendigo. Expansion of service to include a night service, legal advice and casework practice, alongside continuing to assist people through the Tenant Advocacy and Support service.

14/02/2005

Loddon Campaspie Community Legal Centre (LCCLC) established

Loddon Campaspie Community Legal Centre (LCCLC) established after receiving state funding through Attorney General Rob Hulls after intensive lobbying by Margaret Augerinos and discussions with Victorian Legal Aid. Peter Noble comes on board as principal lawyer to establish the service. Service includes greater Bendigo and Maryborough regions.

25/09/2003

Completion of “Access to Justice in the Loddon Campaspe Region report”

Completion of “Access to Justice in the Loddon Campaspe Region report principally developed by Sally Smith demonstrating the need for a Loddon Campaspe community legal centre. This report laid the groundwork for setting up the Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre. Download Report Here

01/05/2002

“Through Women’s Eyes” report identifies a desperate need for a Community Legal Centre

“Through Women’s Eyes” report developed by Emergency Accomodation and Support Enterprise (EASE : Later renamed to Centre for Non Violence) funded by the Reichstein Foundation identifies a desperate need for a Community Legal Centre (CLC) to advocate for the rights of women and reforms in the legal sector. Margaret Augerinos recognises this need and campaigns for funding to work towards a CLC.

05/04/2000