By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
INCREASED demand has prompted Barwon Community Legal Services (BCLS) to open a new branch in Geelong’s northern suburbs.
BCLS executive officer Nick Hudson said the service would be available at a new Norlane Child and Family Centre.
The legal assistance will add to the council facility’s range of services focussed on family welfare including kinder, maternal and child health, parent support and counselling.
“We’ll start offering free legal advice alongside the other support services, creating a holistic service delivery model that will better support clients,” Mr Hudson said.
“We’ve been operating a similar model at Colac Area Health from many years and at Barwon Health Corio Community Health Centre for about two years.
“This service is located in an area with limited access to legal services.”
Mr Hudson said 2015 Law Institute of Victoria Community Lawyer of the Year Elsie Stokie would staff the new office.
Ms Stokie, who helped establish BCLS, said she was passionate about the northern suburbs project.
She set up The Law Place Corio in May 2011, offering outreach appointments at the the suburb’s community health centre.
“Elsie is constantly booked out, proving just how valuable this service is,” Mr Hudson said.
Appointments were available by phone 1300 430 599 or visiting barwoncls.org.au, he said.
The Independent reported last month that BCLS had secured a $100,000 funding boost from the State Government as well as $52,000 from a family violence duty lawyers’ fund.
