The last year has presented Ballarat & Grampians Community Legal Service (BGCLS) with a range of opportunities and challenges that its committed staff have responded to with professionalism and dedication. The primary challenge has been the impact of COVID-19 to which staff have responded admirably in addressing remote means of working whilst still being accessible to people in need and especially vulnerable clients.
The BGCLS legal staff have continued to provide a high level of service across diverse areas of law, meeting key indicators for client numbers and providing support and assistance that have rightly earned them the respect of the legal profession and the broader community across the Grampians region. Toni Thomas as Principal Lawyer has provided strong leadership and direction throughout this period.
Services have been extended into areas of Maternal and Child Health, a venue that provides access to often vulnerable women and children, complemented with work with Orange Door in its diverse assistance to those affected by family violence.
The Service has continued to be effectively managed, meeting the requirements of its Community Legal Services Plan and seeking to achieve the goals in its Strategic Plan. Under Executive Officer Lisa Buckland the Service has continued to grow whilst being sustainable and continues to look to opportunities for expansion.
2021 sees publication of the updated Grampians Legal Needs Analysis and is an opportunity to respond to unmet legal need as the Service has committed to do for more than thirty years.
This financial year saw a near complete renewal of the Committee of Management bringing new perspectives and approaches to the entity. I would like to thank Steve Ashton, Debra Harris, Pauline Fay, Trent Loader and Peter Cranage for their commitment and dedication.
As BGCLS looks to the future it can be optimistic about opening up again and continuing to provide quality services to those in need.
The BGCLS legal staff have continued to provide a high level of service across diverse areas of law, meeting key indicators for client numbers and providing support and assistance that have rightly earned them the respect of the legal profession and the broader community across the Grampians region. Toni Thomas as Principal Lawyer has provided strong leadership and direction throughout this period.
Services have been extended into areas of Maternal and Child Health, a venue that provides access to often vulnerable women and children, complemented with work with Orange Door in its diverse assistance to those affected by family violence.
The Service has continued to be effectively managed, meeting the requirements of its Community Legal Services Plan and seeking to achieve the goals in its Strategic Plan. Under Executive Officer Lisa Buckland the Service has continued to grow whilst being sustainable and continues to look to opportunities for expansion.
2021 sees publication of the updated Grampians Legal Needs Analysis and is an opportunity to respond to unmet legal need as the Service has committed to do for more than thirty years.
This financial year saw a near complete renewal of the Committee of Management bringing new perspectives and approaches to the entity. I would like to thank Steve Ashton, Debra Harris, Pauline Fay, Trent Loader and Peter Cranage for their commitment and dedication.
As BGCLS looks to the future it can be optimistic about opening up again and continuing to provide quality services to those in need.
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Scott Sherritt
Chairperson |
Contact Us © Ballarat & Grampians Community Legal Service Inc.
To find out more about the service please follow this link: About Us
BGCLS Acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the region we service, their diversity, histories and knowledge and their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their Elders past present and emerging.
To find out more about the service please follow this link: About Us
BGCLS Acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the region we service, their diversity, histories and knowledge and their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their Elders past present and emerging.
Many images of Ballarat and surrounds by photographer, Andrew Thomas. Visit Andrew's website to see more of his beautiful images - http://www.andrewthomasphotographer.com/
