An Independent Advertising Feature
An Independent Advertising Feature
Free legal help arwon Community Legal Service will launch a free face-to-face legal service at Corio during Law Week from May 14 to 20. The Law Place – Corio will provide legal help at Corio Community Health Centre, 2 Gellibrand St, every Monday afternoon starting May 21. The centre’s experienced lawyers will provide free advice, with more information available by phoning 1300 430 599. Anyone interested in attending the official launch on May 17 can phone the same number to reserve a place. Barwon Community Legal Services’ Jillian Chapman said
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Annina Varrella and Elizabeth Hopkin.
Volunteer options new program developed by volunteering Geelong is designed to meet the needs of volunteers seeking to use their skills on short-term, flexible projects. The projects are delivering valuable outcomes for community organisations, providing them with opportunities to achieve objectives they would normally struggle to complete or even start. UnitingCare volunteer coordinator Elizabeth Hopkin attended a Volunteering Geelong course on Bite-Size Volunteering. The course outlined the many benefits and changing nature of volunteering to meet the needs and expectations of both volunteers and organisations. Elizabeth then brainstormed some projects with her UnitingCare team. “I found the project templates provided by Volunteering
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Geelong easy to use. The Volunteering Geelong team also helped me fine-tune our position description for our Research Assistant,” Elizabeth says. “Volunteering Geelong vetted applicants for me and recommended Annina Varrella who started immediately, working one day a week over a three-month period. “Annina had a skill set that fitted our project perfectly. Once Annina started she was included as part of the team, with a clear role and KPIs. “The research project was conducted and the results were delivered on time, giving UnitingCare insights into potential funding opportunities. “I’d definitely do it again. The Bite Size Volunteer project encouraged us to achieve a body of work by an experienced and competent volunteer working for a short period of time.”
New to Geelong, Annina was keen to give back to the community while looking for paid employment. In her initial meeting with Volunteering Geelong she reviewed opportunities with local charities, expressing an interest in UnitingCare’s research project. “I immediately felt part of the team at UnitingCare. It was warm and welcoming,” Annina says. “I felt a true sense of satisfaction from the experience, knowing I was making a real difference to UnitingCare and ultimately the people they assist. I’d definitely recommend volunteering on a bite-size project.” More information about BiteSize Volunteering is available by phoning Gail Rodgers on 5221 1377, emailing manager@volunteeringgeelong.com or visiting www.volunteeringgeelong.org.au .
The Law Place’s lawyers can answer questions on a wide range of laws. “For example, we encourage anyone having trouble with Centrelink or with questions about child support to obtain free legal advice.” Barwon Community Legal Service will also host a free information session for community workers on May 17. Ms Chapman has been overwhelmed with over 100 registrations for the Law for Community Workers. The session will cover topics ranging from appealing Centrelink decisions to Disability Support Pension changes and an overview
of family violence and personal safety intervention orders. “There’s a real need in our community for easy-to-understand legal information on a broad range of legal topics,” Ms Chapman says. “The Law for Community Workers session will give new and existing workers the opportunity to explore legal issues that affect their clients and members of the community.” Barwon Community Legal Service is a free independentl service providing advice and legal education for people living in the Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast and Colac Otway regions. More information is available by phoning 1300 430 599.
Barwon Community Legal Service’s Elsie Stokie and Jillian Chapman.
73 Pakington Street, Geelong West
Thinking of Volunteering?
BA RWO N COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICE
FREE INTERPRETER SERVICE CALL 131 450
PHONE 1300 430 599
FREE LEGAL ADVICE • Child Support
There are hundreds of opportunities available.
• Social Security (Problems with Centrelink) • Tenancy (Problems with your Landord/Agent)
Volunteering can be flexible, regular, a project or special event or perhaps a combination of these.
• Family Law • Family Violence
Opportunities include:
• Elder Law
• Mentoring • Office Administration • Maintenance/Gardening • Policy Development • Marketing & Strategic Planning • Data Base Development • Web Site Development • IT Support • Drivers • Document Control Project • Marketing Plan Development • Library Assistant • Committee of Management Positions
• Criminal Matters
• General Law (Neighbourhood disputes, wills, motor vehicle accidents etc) • A free independent community legal service for people living in the Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula, Surfcoast and Colac Otway regions • Phone advice, face-to-face appointments and after hours appointments available
Visit our website or talk to us about your interests.
FRULR
FREE LEGAL HELP
Phone: 5221 1377
Corio Community Health Centre 2 Gellibrand Street, Corio Every Monday afternoon
www.volunteeringgeelong volunteeringgeelong.org.au
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The Independent, Friday May 11, 2012
B A RWO N COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICE
1033046-KS19-12
1032894-KS19-12
Call for an appointment 1300 430 599 FREE INTERPRETER SERVICE CALL 131 450