Barwon Community Legal Service

03/06/2026

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟰𝟬 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 🎉

We are incredibly grateful to the 11 generous sponsors who helped make our 𝟰𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 on Thursday, 28 May such a special occasion.

Your contribution not only helped us mark this important milestone, but also highlighted a shared commitment to fairness, equity, and access to justice across our community.

Partnerships like yours make a real difference and support the continued delivery of essential legal services to those who need them most.

Thank you for your generosity, leadership, and dedication to building a stronger, more just Barwon region.

Agar Singh Legal Allison Rowe Family Lawyers Harwood Andrews Nicholes Family Lawyers Deakin Law School Fortitude Legal Slater and Gordon Lawyers Geelong Law Association - GLA Coulter Legal Mildren Cooper McKenna Lawyers (Orenstein Lawyers) and Roger O'Halloran & Company

02/06/2026

Young people often deal with issues around housing, fines, employment or Centrelink, but don’t always recognise them as legal problems or know where to turn for help.

We are excited to launch our Legal Link Up resource project and invite you to our upcoming information session on helping young people connect to legal help.

𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟓 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 𝟏–𝟐𝐩𝐦
𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧!

In our free Law for Community Workers virtual information session you’ll build your confidence to:
✔️ Spot common legal issues affecting young people
✔️ Understand key areas of law relevant to young people
✔️ Connect young people to free legal support in the Barwon region.

This session is open to all community workers and frontline staff across Barwon, especially those supporting young people.

You can register via our website here: https://www.barwoncommunitylegal.org.au/law-for-community-workers/

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

31/05/2026

Yesterday we celebrated 40 years of Barwon Community Legal Service — and what a milestone it was! 🎉

More than 130 people joined us at the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre to reflect on our impact and the critical role community legal centres play in creating safer, fairer communities.

We were honoured to welcome Victorian Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny MP as keynote speaker, alongside MPs Alison Marchant - Member for Bellarine and Ella George MP, City of Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM, Cr Elise Wilkinson, Magistrates Gerard Bryant and Carolyn Howe, and Victorian Legal Services Commissioner Fiona McLeay—joined by many valued partners, sector colleagues and friends.

A huge thank you to our MC, Peter Mellas, for bringing the celebration to life.

We also marked an extraordinary milestone for Senior Lawyer Elsie Stokie—40 years of service and a well-earned retirement. Her impact on this organisation and our community is immeasurable.

As Victoria's first regional community legal centre, we've always believed that access to justice should never depend on your postcode. The event was a powerful reflection on the importance of free legal assistance for the Barwon community.

Accessible justice means stronger communities.

Here’s to the next 40 years. 💙

🔗 Read more:
https://www.barwoncommunitylegal.org.au/40-years-of-justice-vic-ag-joins-our-landmark-anniversary/

📷 L to R: MC Peter Mellas, Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Melinda Kennedy, Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant, CEO Bryanna Connell, Victorian Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny, retiring lawyer Elsie Stokie, Cr Elise Wilkinson and Victoria Legal Services Board + Commissioner Fiona McLeay. Photography: Barefoot Media.

26/05/2026

Today marks the start of 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲. This year’s message reminds us that we are "All In" for Reconciliation, and that meaningful change happens when each of us plays a role.

As an organisation, we are proud to stand alongside our community in our commitment to reconciliation. We recognise that building respectful relationships, listening, learning, and taking action are all essential steps on this journey.

This week, we are continuing that commitment by bringing together our internal Friends of the Treaty group to progress our organisational commitments toward Treaty and to explore how we can contribute to lasting structural change.

Reconciliation is not just a week, it is an ongoing responsibility we all share.

🤝 We are "All In" for Reconciliation.

Find Reconciliation resources and read more about Reconciliation Week https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week/

26/05/2026

Today, on National Sorry Day, we pause to acknowledge the strength, resilience and ongoing healing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly members of the Stolen Generations, their families and communities.

Today Barwon Community Legal Service attended the Wathaurong National Sorry Day event at Booln Booln. We thank Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative for creating a powerful space of reflection, truth-telling and connection.

National Sorry Day is a poignant reminder of the impacts of past government policies and the importance of listening, learning and walking together towards reconciliation. As a community legal service, we recognise the role we play in supporting justice, respect and culturally safe services.

We stand in solidarity, today and every day, and reaffirm our commitment to supporting First Nations peoples in our community.

22/05/2026

Where Law Meets Life – Norlane Law Week 2026 BBQ 🔥

We had a fantastic time connecting with the Norlane community during Law Week at Labuan Square this week.

Our team from Barwon Community Legal Service spoke with locals about everyday legal issues – from housing and fines to family law, consumer concerns and accessing support.

It was great to:
• connect people with help for tenancy and rental issues
• support those navigating family violence and safety concerns
• provide guidance on fines, TAC claims and other legal matters
• link people to trusted services including Tenants Victoria, Meli, Villamanta Disability Legal Service, Uniting Vic Tas and Barwon Health

Events like this show what Where Law Meets Life really means – meeting people where they are and helping them get the support they need.

Huge thanThe Good Neighbourhood Project and The Power In You Project for hosting such a welcoming community BBQ.

📸 Image: Jacqui, Massimo and Rebecca from our team chatting with community members at the Norlane Law Week BBQ.

Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria Victoria Law Foundation

22/05/2026

Great to be part of an inspiring Law Week 2026 event with local Legal Studies students, hosted by Grovedale College!

Our Practice Manager Emma Cvitak joined a panel facilitated by Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service Board member Zane McKenzie, alongside Victoria Legal Aid Lawyer Elina Sisley, and Villamanta volunteer Ryless Finlay to speak with students and teachers from Grovedale College, Surf Coast Secondary College, and Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College.

Together, we explored careers in law, the work of community legal centres and Legal Aid, as well as law reform. It was a fantastic opportunity to bring the concepts students are learning in the classroom to life, showing how they play out in real, day-to-day legal work.

Even better, the session was filmed so it can be shared with more Legal Studies classes across the region.

It was a privilege to help inspire the next generation of legal professionals and to highlight the many pathways a law degree can open.⚖️

Thanks to Grovedale College for hosting us, and our partners Villamanta Disability Legal Service and Victoria Legal Aid.



Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria Victoria Law Foundation

21/05/2026

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 💛

This National Volunteer Week (18–25 May), we want to say a heartfelt thank you to the amazing volunteers who support Barwon Community Legal Service.

Every day, our volunteers, like Clarice, make a real difference, helping people access justice and providing support during challenging times for our community through compassion, skill and generosity.

Volunteering is a two-way journey. While our volunteers give so much, we are proud to support them to grow, build confidence, and gain experience, in the hope they go on to achieve incredible things in their careers.

We are continually inspired by their passion for fairness and commitment to helping others, and their contribution helps create a more just, inclusive and connected community.

Thank you for everything you do, we are so grateful to have you as part of BCLS. 🌟

Image: Volunteer Clarice (left) with our Practice Manager - Generalist Emma Cvitak.

18/05/2026

𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿: 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆! 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗕𝗕𝗤 + 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 & 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽

Don’t forget to join us this Thursday 21 May, 11am–1pm at Labuan Square Neighbourhood Commons Cafe, Norlane, for our Law Week community event.

If you’ve been meaning to get help with fines, tenancy, cost-of-living pressures or family law questions, this is a great chance to drop in and have a chat in a relaxed, welcoming space.

👉Free BBQ lunch
👉Free legal and financial health checks
👉No bookings needed!

Come along, connect with your local community legal service and get practical support when you need it most. We’re proud to partner with the The Good Neighbourhood Project and The Power In You Project to support stronger, more connected communities.

Tag a friend or neighbour who might benefit, we’d love to see them there!

16/05/2026

🏳️‍🌈 Proud to stand up, speak out and show support this IDAHOBIT 🏳️‍🌈

Earlier this week we joined Mayor Libby Stapleton, Councillors and community members at Council’s Torquay office to raise the rainbow flag ahead of IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Discrimination and Transphobia) which is today, 17 May.

It was fantastic to see students from Surf Coast Secondary College and guest speaker Reuben Whyte Them Humans Inc come together to celebrate inclusion and allyship.

Reuben reminded us of the importance of speaking up: creating safe, inclusive spaces helps young people thrive as future leaders, artists and changemakers.

The rainbow flag will fly throughout May as a visible sign of support for equality, respect and belonging for LGBTIQA+ communities.

💛 Let’s all play a part in creating a safer, more inclusive community, today and every day.

Surf Coast Shire Council

🏳️‍🌈Standing together for IDAHOBIT🏳️‍🌈

Mayor Libby Stapleton was joined by 2025 Victorian Pride Awards Ally of the Year, Rueben Whyte, raising the rainbow flag outside Council’s Torquay office today, acknowledging the international day against LGBTIQA+ discrimination, IDAHOBIT.

IDAHOBIT is on Sunday 17 May, but celebrations were bought forward, with community members and students from Surf Coast Secondary College joining Mayor Stapleton, Cr Bodsworth, Cr Crockett and Cr Pattison.

Mayor Stapleton said raising the rainbow flag showed Council’s proud allyship and support of inclusion.

“𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦,” Mayor Stapleton said.

Guest speaker Rueben Whyte from Them Humans Inc. shared his journey to become an ally and how he reluctantly stepped into this space to create safe, identify affirming spaces where creativity becomes a pathway to confidence, community and opportunity.

“𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘴𝘭𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘣𝘪𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥. 𝘐𝘧 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴, 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥, 𝘸𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯,” he said.

We will fly the rainbow flag for the month of May, showing support for IDAHOBIT Day and all that the day stands for.