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National Law Week 2012 - Mildura events
| Date | Event |
| May 14 to 20 | Static Display at Mildura Library Mildura Library will play host to a display about the MMCLS and the services it offers to the public . The theme of the display is about access to justice and how the MMCLS provides an avenue for community members to access justice when needed. |
| Monday, May 14, to Wednesday, May 16 | Static Display at Centro The Murray Mallee Community Legal Service (MMCLS) team will be on hand to provide legal information to the public as part of National Law Week celebrations at Mildura Centro on Monday, May 14, Tuesday, May 15, and Wednesday, May 16. A static display will be set up just outside the food court where solicitors will provide information to the public regarding the role and function of the service. Printed material and brochures will also be made available regarding a range of law.
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| Tuesday, May 15, noon to 1pm | Youth and the Law talk at TAFE – SuniTAFE Auditorium, opposite The Hub. Benetook Avenue, Mildura Speakers: Mark Bland, Department of Justice; Leigh Anderson, Maloney Anderson Legal; Sarah Klarich, Murray Mallee Community Legal Service Infringements, employment rights and debt problems will be the focus of a youth information session at the SuniTAFE Auditorium on Tuesday, May 15, from noon to 1pm. Speakers will explain infringements and fines, employment law and workers rights, and There will be information about credit and debt. |
| Tuesday, May 15, 5pm to 6pm | Elder Abuse forum for local lawyers, Mallee Family Care Boardroom Speaker: Tabitha O'Shea, Senior Rights Victoria Legal practitioners are invited to an information session providing an overview of elder abuse, risks, prevention and indicators. The session will also include information on a new guide Assets for Care, which will assist lawyers when working with older clients, who are being financially abused. The session will be presented by Senior Rights Victoria (SRV) solicitor Tabitha O’Shea at the invitation of the Murray Mallee Community Legal Service (MMCLS). RSVP to Sarah Klarich 5023 5966 to book a place. |
| Wednesday, May 16, 9.30am to 11am | Elder Abuse forum for the public and people working with the elderly in Sunraysia, Masonic Centre, 15th Street Irymple Speakers: Tabitha O'Shea, Senior Rights Victoria; Paul Avery, Holcroft Avery Lawyers The Sunraysia community is invited to a free information session providing an overview of elder abuse, risks, prevention, and Wills and Powers of Attorney. The session will be presented by Senior Rights Victoria (SRV) solicitor Tabitha O’Shea and Mildura-based Holcroft Avery Lawyers partner Paul Avery at the invitation of the Murray Mallee Community Legal Service (MMCLS). RSVP to Sarah Klarich on 5023 5966 to reserve a place
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| Wednesday, May 16, 1pm to 2pm | It’s not just Super – it’s your future, Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities council, Madden Avenue, Mildura Speaker: Norm McMurray, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers A free information session for anyone who has a superannuation policy – or more than one – to be presented by Maurice Blackburn Lawyers’ Norm McMurray. Topics will include getting your super together, what happens when you need to make a claim and nomination of beneficiaries. RSVP to Sarah Klarich to reserve a place, 5023 5966
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| Wednesday, May 16, 7.30pm to 9pm | Insurance Seminar, Brian Grogan Lecture Theatre, La Trobe University, Mildura Campus Speaker: John Berrill, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers What level of coverage is right? What insurance benefits are there? How do I make a claim or lodge a complaint against an insurance company? The Murray Mallee Community Legal Service has invited Maurice Blackburn principal John Berrill to speak about the issue of insurance and to demystify questions around levels of coverage, insurance benefits, and the claims and complaints process. Mr Berrill is the head of the largest national plaintiff Superannuation and Insurance Claims practice in Australia. In times of floods, storms and natural disasters, he is a key go-to person regarding the issues people face around making successful insurance claims and his team is renowned for fighting to secure insurance compensation for people affected by natural disasters. This is a rare opportunity for Sunraysia residents to learn more about their rights when it comes to insurance and gain skills to assist them to negotiate better with insurance companies. To book a place please RSVP to Sarah Klarich, 5023 5966 |
| Thursday, May 17 | Student Talk at Coomealla High School, Dareton Cyber bullying, “sexting” and healthy relationships will be the focus of a talk by Murray Mallee Community Legal Service lawyers to Coomealla High School students. The legal staff will provide year 10 and 11 students information about the law relating to these serious issues. In particular, bullying will be defined and the law surrounding bullying and cyber bullying explained. Sexting, the dangers of sexting and the legal implications will also be addressed. Information will also be provided about what is considered a healthy relationship and the age of consent.
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| Thursday, May 17, 9am to 11am | Consumer Law Matters talk at Vidovic House, Mildura Speaker: Sarah Klarich, Murray Mallee Community Legal Service MMCLS principal Tony Masterson will give a talk to staff at Vidovic House on unsolicited consumer agreements, rent to buy schemes and pay day lending. This information will help staff working with their most vulnerable clients to avoid these too good to be true offers. |
| Friday, May 18 | Student Talk at Robinvale Secondary College, Robinvale Cyber bullying, “sexting” and healthy relationships will be the focus of a talk by Murray Mallee Community Legal Service lawyers to Robinvale Secondary College students. The legal staff will provide students information about the law relating to these serious issues. In particular, bullying will be defined and the law surrounding bullying and cyber bullying explained. Sexting, the dangers of sexting and the legal implications will also be addressed. Information will also be provided about what is considered a healthy relationship and the age of consent.
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Insurance & You – Law Week in Sunraysia 2012
What level of coverage is right? What insurance benefits are there? How do I make a claim or lodge a complaint against an insurance company?
Record rainfall early last year brought home to Sunraysia the reality of severe weather conditions and the resulting damage. Houses and business premises were flooded, and livelihoods lost as growers were forced off the land by the stagnating flood water. The experience has left many in the district scratching their heads about insurance.
As part of National Law Week Activities, the Murray Mallee Community Legal Service has invited Maurice Blackburn principal John Berrill to speak about the issue of insurance and to demystify questions around levels of coverage, insurance benefits, and the claims and complaints process.
Mr Berrill is the head of the largest national plaintiff Superannuation and Insurance Claims practice in Australia. In times of floods, storms and natural disasters, he is a key go-to person regarding the issues people face around making successful insurance claims and his team is renowned for fighting to secure insurance compensation for people affected by natural disasters.
Mr Berrill was a member of the three-person Federal Government's National Disaster Insurance Review Panel. He is on the Travel Compensation Fund Board and has served as a consumer representative on the Financial Industry Complaints Service Panel and Board. A founding member of the HIV/Aids Legal Centre, Mr Berrill is also a member of the Consumers Federation of Australia, the Chronic Illness Alliance and the Australian Lawyers Alliance.
Mr Berrill provides legal advice to many disability support groups, social work departments, unions and consumer groups, and acts for workers and people with chronic illnesses and disabilities against insurance companies and superannuation funds.
This is a rare opportunity for Sunraysia residents to learn more about their rights when it comes to insurance and gain skills to assist them to negotiate better with insurance companies.
When: Wednesday, May 16, 2012, 7.30pm to 9pm
Where: Brian Grogan Lecture Theatre, La Trobe University Mildura Campus, 471 Benetook Avenue, Mildura
RSVP: To book a place telephone Sarah Klarich, 5023 5966
National Law Week is your chance to go behind the scenes of the legal system in Victoria, get free legal information and access legal services, take part in debates and discussions about legal and human rights issues, and speak to prominent legal practitioners.
Elder Abuse and Seniors Rights: A free information session for seniors and people who work with
the elderly in Sunraysia
Between 1 and 5 per cent of older people say they have experienced some form of abuse or neglect[1]
We all want to be treated well and treated with respect, no matter where we are in life. This may sometimes get forgotten with the day to day pressures faced by both individuals and families.
Elder abuse is defined as ‘any act that harms older people and that is carried out by someone they know, and should be able to trust, such as family or friends’. Financial, psychological, physical, neglect, sexual or social abuse are examples of the types of harm inflicted and usually by a close relative.
All adults, regardless of their age, have the right to self-determination and to make their own decisions based on informed choice. Highlighting the issue of elder abuse will empower people and, hopefully, prevent this type of harm from happening.
The Sunraysia community is invited to a free information session providing an overview of elder abuse, risks, prevention, and Wills and Powers of Attorney.
The session will be presented by Senior Rights Victoria (SRV) solicitor Tabitha O’Shea and Mildura-based Holcroft Avery Lawyers partner Paul Avery at the invitation of the Murray Mallee Community Legal Service (MMCLS) as part of its National Law Week 2012 calendar of events.
Tabitha has worked in general legal practice in Central Victoria for several years. Before that she was employed in the public service. Tabitha is the co-ordinator of the Bendigo Seniors Rights Victoria Team assisting older persons experiencing or at risk of elder abuse.
When: Wednesday, May 16, 2012, 9.30am to 11am
Where: Masonic Centre, Fifteenth Street, Irymple (ramp access available)
RSVP: To book a place telephone Sarah Klarich, 5023 5966
A free morning tea will be served following the event and resources will be displayed.
National Law Week is your chance to go behind the scenes of the legal system in Victoria, get free legal information and access legal services, take part in debates and discussions about legal and human rights issues, and speak to prominent legal practitioners.
[1] Rights. Respect. Trust. Victorian Government Elder Abuse Prevention Strategy, Fact Sheet 1, May 2009.
MEDIA RELEASE |
Senior's Rights, Power of Attorney, Wills & Probate
Free information session held for the Senior member's of our community.
The event was well attended and provided morning tea for all. Resources were also displayed for the benefit of those attending.
Legal Services help people affected by floods
The Murray Mallee Community Legal Service (“MMCLS”) has started fielding calls from local agencies seeking to provide affected residents with relevant legal information, advice and referral. The Manager Tony Masterson said:
“The Community Legal Centre understands that for many people affected by the floods, insurance and other legal matters may not be their immediate concern. But people affected by the floods should know that we and other legal services, including Victoria Legal Aid, are ready to assist with relevant legal issues when they are ready.
In the meantime we’d like people to take away with them two key messages:
- If you have an insurance contract you believe covers you for flood damage, you should make a claim as soon as possible. Your insurance company must expedite your claim if you are in urgent financial need. Even if the claim is rejected, you may be reviewed at no cost by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).
- If your insurance policy excludes floods, you may still be able to claim for water related damage.”
The MMCLS website (URL below) has information on relevant legal support services and direct links to online legal resources for those affected.
Legal Support Services
- Victoria Legal Aid: Mon-Fri 8.45am-5.15pm, 9269 0120 or 1800 677 402, www.legalaid.vic.gov.au
- Insurance Law Service: Mon-Fri 9.30am-4.30pm, 1300 663 464, www.insurancelaw.org.au
- Murray Mallee Community Legal Service: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, 50 235 966 or 1800 243 002, www.communitylaw.org.au/clc_murraymallee,
Sunraysia Floods
Legal Advice and Assistance
The Murray Mallee Community Legal Service (MMCLS) can help local residents with legal queries arising from the recent floods. Please check out our services and contact details below. Access to telephone interpreters can be arranged. www.communitylaw.org.au/clc_murraymallee
Victoria Legal Aid can provide free legal information to flood affected people via its Legal Information Service on 9269 0120 or 1800 677 402 (rural callers) 8.45am - 5.15pm. Access to telephone interpreters can be arranged. www.legalaid.vic.gov.au
The Law Institute of Victoria is also offering information on people's entitlements. Their advice line is 9607 9311. www.liv.asn.au/
The Insurance Law Service provides legal information, advice and referral to consumers across Australia. Call them on 1300 663 464 Mon - Fri 9.30am - 4.30pm. Their website has helpful fact sheets, including a new Flood Insurance fact sheet (see Legal Resources below). www.insurancelaw.org.au
Private residential tenants with issues resulting from the floods (eg urgent repairs) can contact Consumer Affairs Victoria's Mildura office on 5022 1735. www.consumer.vic.gov.au. Residents in the Bendigo region can contact Consumer Affairs Victoria's Loddon Mallee office on 5444 2038. Consumer Affairs Victoria has also released a media release with information for renters and landlords (see Legal Resources below).
Office of Housing residents can contact the Advocacy and Rights Centre's Social Housing Advocacy and Support Service on 5444 4364 or 1800 639 121 for information and advice.
Legal Resources
We also suggest that people affected by the floods or those assisting them access the following legal resources:
- Turning the Tides: Floods insurance and you (Legal Aid NSW) http://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/data/portal/00000005/public/15692001200288667227.pdf
- Storms, floods, insurance and you: getting your insurance paid (Victoria Legal Aid) http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/xfw/vla_floods_factsheet1final.pdf
- Flood insurance (Insurance Law Service) http://www.insurancelaw.org.au/fact-sheets/flood-insurance/
- Flood advice for Loddon Mallee Renters and Landlords (Consumer Affairs Victoria) http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/CA256EB5000644CE/page/Listing-MediaReleases-2011-01-14+-+Flood+advice+for+Loddon+Mallee+renters+and+landlords
Some of the Legal fact sheets available on the Bushfire Legal Help website are also relevant for flood victims. http://www.bushfirelegalhelp.org.au/
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