Moreland Community Legal Centre Inc
History
In 1981 the Coburg Community Legal Service was established in response to a perceived need in the community. Members of the initial steering committee felt that residents of Coburg, especially migrant and young people, had minimal understanding of the legal system and the laws affecting their lives. No other community group was meeting the legal needs of local residents.
Myer Foundation provided establishment funds, Coburg Council provided a desk and the NOW Centre provided office facilities. The fledgling service assisted over 300 people in the first year, and until 1984 was run by a team of volunteers and two part time workers.
On July 1 1991 the legal service amalgamated with the Brunswick Coburg Financial Counselling Service - a service begun in 1980 at the NOW Centre to assist people in financial difficulty or with credit/debt problems. This has added another full time worker to the team and created the present Coburg Brunswick Community Legal & Financial Counselling Centre Inc.
The service is now funded by Victoria Legal Aid which provides for a 1 full-time solicitor, 1 part time solicitor/administrator, and community development worker. The evening advice service continues to be run by volunteer solicitors and community volunteers and many day-time volunteers provide invaluable day-to-day administrative support.
At the beginning of 2004 over 10,000 people had been assisted with legal advice and/or other assistance.
On 8 March 2007, the Centre has changed its name to Moreland Community Legal Centre and with the change also moved premises to a more centrally convenient located premises at 17 Sydney Road, Coburg.The centre is involved in a wide range of other activities, including:
- developing links with community groups
- community education - producing publications and resources and participation in schools and community programs
- involvement in law reform processes and campaigns
- organising and running training sessions for our volunteers and local community workers
- involvement with our peak bodies - the Federation of Community Legal Centres and the Financial and Consumer Rights Council.
