Monthly Archives: November 2015

Federal Government’s family violence commitment ‘in the balance’, community lawyers say

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Tuesday 24 November 2015 – embargoed until 12.00am Wednesday 25 November 2015

The Federal Government’s commitment to stopping family violence is in the balance, with doubts remaining over funding for free legal help for women through December’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO), says the Federation of Community Legal Centres (Vic).

‘With Wednesday the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the start of the United Nations 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, family violence demands prominence in our national debate,’ said executive officer, Liana Buchanan, today. Continue reading →

Federation welcomes new chair for 2015-16

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Belinda Lo has been elected as the new chair of the Federation’s committee of management for 2015–16.

Belinda has worked as a community lawyer since 2001 following private practice and a role as a judge’s associate. Bee has volunteered and worked with various community legal centres (CLCs) including Darebin, Youthlaw, Broadmeadows, Whittlesea, Fitzroy and Eastern CLC where she is the centre’s current principal lawyer.

Bee’s work has mainly focused on advocating for the rights of  victims of family violence and sexual assault – work that has included legal advocacy, law reform and education.

The Federation thanks Barwon Community Legal Service Executive Officer Nick Hudson for serving as chair for the past four years. Nick remains on the committee of management.

For the full membership of the Federation’s committee of management for 2015–16, see the Community Law website. Our 2014–15 annual report is now also available online.

Family violence features in our latest wrap of the Federation in the media

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Welcome to our occasional wrap of the Federation in the media. This issue features family violence, together with a range of other legal assistance issues on which the Federation also actively engages the media. As well as our own work with the media, the Federation offers media support to our member community legal centres and also works with partner organisations on related issues. Earlier coverage is available via our In the Media category. Continue reading →

Advocate for LGBTI people takes out 2015 Tim McCoy Award

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Anna_Brown_Peter_Gordon_Tim_McCoy_2015_Web

Wilma McCoy, Award-winner Anna Brown, and Peter Gordon, who gave this year’s address, at the 2015 Tim McCoy Awards.

Anna Brown has won the 2015 Tim McCoy Award for outstanding work to promote and protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people in Victoria, Australia and worldwide.

Anna was one of the State finalists for Australian of the Year for 2016. The Australian of the Year website says it all: ‘An unsung hero in the fight to advance equality, Anna Brown’s fingerprints are on almost every recent legal and political win for Australia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community’. Continue reading →