Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud

Celebrated every July, NAIDOC week is an opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, history and heritage.

2024’s NAIDOC Week theme is ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud”. 

This year’s theme celebrates the unyielding spirit of our communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced.

You can support NAIDOC Week and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country.  This year you will find Illawarra Legal Centre participating in the following NAIDOC events:

Monday 8/7/24 11am-2pm – Shellharbour City Council NAIDOC Event at Shellharbour Civic Centre

Tuesday 9/7/24 10am-1pm – NAIDOC Family Fun Day at Darcy Wentworth Park Warrawong

Thursday 11/7/24 10am-2pm – CareWays NAIDOC Event at Koonawarra Community Centre

#NAIDOC2024

#BlakLoudProud

#NAIDOCWeek

#NAIDOC

Celebrate NAIDOC week with us!

People who rent in public and community housing need safe, secure homes

We are Tenant Advice and Advocacy Services and community legal centres across NSW, who provide advice and advocacy to renters in public (including Aboriginal Housing Office homes) and community housing.

Everyday we help thousands of people whose lives and health is directly affected by the state of their public housing and community housing homes. For some of our services we provide direct support for people to try and get fundamental repairs – to make sure their houses are safe and habitable – a basic right under the law.

For many other services we support clients with complex legal issues where it is common that poorly repaired and maintained community and public housing is a backdrop to their lives. Our clients are women who have escaped domestic violence, people suffering from chronic illnesses and disability and people who are struggling to make ends meet. The poor state of their housing impacts on their wellbeing.

Recent tragic events have put a spotlight on long understood and acknowledged critical failures in the current system, underscoring the need for additional resourcing and action to ensure all people in public and community housing live in safe and healthy homes.

The explosion at Waikanda Crescent in Whalan, resulting in the death of Mhey Yumol Jasmin and injuries to several others, is heartbreaking. Our deepest condolences go out to Mhey Yumol’s family, the injured residents, and the affected local community.

This tragedy, suspected to be caused by a gas leak, has raised serious concerns. We acknowledge and appreciate the urgency with which the NSW government has moved to support impacted residents and community members, and to investigate the cause further.

The incident has focused attention on a historic and ongoing pattern of neglect in public and community housing. All renters should be able to raise maintenance concerns and have those concerns promptly attended to. This requires all providers, whether public or private, to be reliable and accountable in their approach to building safety and maintenance.

Sadly, the state of public and community housing is a story of neglect. Our clients have to deal with issues such as chronic and severe mould, sewerage issues, water leaks and problems with essential services without speedy resolution. Renters in public and community housing report they fear retaliation or poor treatment when seeking repairs. They often face prolonged waits for essential repairs, and receive only temporary fixes that fail to address the root problems. Even when they take legal action the work is not undertaken as ordered. This is exhausting for people who already are juggling many other things in their lives.

Safe, secure housing is a human right, and poor housing affects all aspects of a persons’ life. The current system is broken.

We welcome the recognition and promise from Minister Jackson that Homes NSW must do better.1 Keeping this promise requires investment and a commitment to the public benefit of a healthy public and community housing sector.

In the NSW State Budget to be released on 18 June, and ongoing the NSW Government must commit the resources and sustained focus required to ensure this is possible.

National Reconciliation Week – Now More Than Ever

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) invites all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us, be it individuals, families, communities, organisations or governments – can foster reconciliation in Australia.

The dates for NRW are the same each year; 27 May to 3 June.  These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

Under the banner “Now More Than Ever“, this year’s NRW theme resonates deeply.

Now more than ever, we need to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation.  We must stand up to defend and uphold the rights of First Nations peoples.  To call out racism wherever we encounter it, and to actively reinforce the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across this continent.

Reconciliation is about creating respectful relationships between the wider Australian community and Australia’s First Nations peoples.  It is an ongoing journey that reminds us that while generations of Australians have fought hard for meaningful change, future gains are likely to take just as much, if not more, effort.

For the work of generations past, and the benefit of generations future, let’s seize this moment to pave the way for a fairer, more just, and reconciled country for all.

When it comes to reconciliation, each of us has a crucial part to play.  Now more than ever, we need reconciliation.

#NRW2024

To find out more about a just, equitable and reconciled Australia visit:

Reconciliation Australia

Reconciliation NSW

To find out out how ILC is contributing to the collective action for reconciliation, you can read our Reconciliation Action Plan

ILC’s Reconciliation Plan

Every year, on 26th May, National Sorry Day (also known as National Day of Healing) is held in Australia to remember the mistreatment of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

On this day, we commemorate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families under government policies during the Assimilation era, officially 1910 to the 1970s.  They were separated from their families and from country, kinship, and culture.  These taken children have come to be known as the Stolen Generations.

On this date in 1997, the Bringing Them Home report was first tabled in Parliament.  Bringing Them Home was the name given to the final report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission.

This report detailed the hardships endured by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and made 54 recommendations to redress the impacts of the removal polices and address ongoing trauma. The recommendations included a national Apology, reparations, improved services for Stolen Generations members and a process for monitoring the implementation of the report’s recommendations.

Two decades on and the Bringing Them Home report remains just as relevant because many of the recommendations are still outstanding.  This has caused additional distress for many Stolen Generations members and there has been a ripple effect to current generations.

National Sorry Day is a day of remembrance and commemoration.  It exists to give all Australians a chance to reflect upon the mistakes of the past and dedicate themselves to the great task of reconciliation; we can all play a part in the healing process for the people and nation.

We extend our respect to the Stolen Generations, and we acknowledge the strength and resilience of survivors, the ongoing grief and loss experienced by many individuals and families, and we recognise the pain and intergenerational trauma that continues.

#NationalSorryDay

#SorryDay

#NationalDayOfHealing 

https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/projects/bringing-them-home-report-1997

https://bth.humanrights.gov.au/the-report/bringing-them-home-report

Celebrate National Volunteer Week with us.

Celebrate National Volunteer Week with us as we honour the remarkable contributions volunteers make and extend our heartfelt thanks. Though often unnoticed, their impact reverberates through the communities they serve, enriching our society economically, socially, and culturally.

Under the theme ‘Something for Everyone‘, this week recognises the vital support that millions of volunteers offer nationwide, while also inspiring others to consider joining the ranks of volunteers. At Illawarra Legal Centre (ILC), we witness first hand the transformative power of volunteerism, as individuals generously give their time to a cause they believe in.

So, a resounding “Thank You!” to our outstanding volunteers—whether they serve on our Board, provide legal expertise, assist as students, or lend their support in various capacities. Your contributions enable ILC to expand its reach and enhance its services, touching the lives of more people.

We deeply appreciate your unwavering dedication and commitment!

If you’re interested in volunteering or wish to explore opportunities with ILC, please reach out to us.

Wishing everyone a Happy National Volunteer Week!

#NVW2024

#SomethingForEveryone

#volunteers

#volunteering

Law Week – A week to learn more about the law

Law Week is an annual celebration that is all about creating greater access to justice.

Legal services across NSW will be putting on a series of information sessions, designed to help people understand their rights, find answers to their questions, know what help is available and how our legal system works.

Law Week is all about demystifying the law and empowering people.

The law affects each of our daily lives and we all need information about our legal rights and responsibilities. Many problems in our lives can have legal answers and understanding whether your problem has a legal aspect could help you resolve it.

We are big fans of Law Week and as always, Illawarra Legal Centre will be hosting a number of events that are designed to help you find answers to your legal questions and understand your rights – something we are very passionate about.

Check out our Facebook page for the details of these events and if you are in need of FREE legal advice now, call our office on 4276 1939 to book an appointment.

#LawWeek2024

International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day to raise the awareness about the issues that women still face today, such as gender inequality, violence, and abuse.

On this day we also celebrate! We celebrate and recognise the economic, political, and social achievements of women past and present.

More than 100 years ago, that first march was about ending harmful workplace conditions, equal rights, equal pay, and an end to exploitation. Sadly, those aims are still relevant today. 

While important progress has been made, women face significant obstacles to achieving equal participation in the economy.  Women’s economic empowerment is central to a gender equal world. When women are given equal opportunities to earn, learn and lead – entire communities thrive.

Two important messages being shared this year are:

‘Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress’.  – UN Women

‘Inspire Inclusion’. – International Women’s Day website

IWD is a once-a-year chance to remind governments, businesses, and everyone else watching that women aren’t going anywhere and are prepared to take action to achieve equal human rights.

When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world.  And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.

By working together to break down barriers and foster diversity, we can build a more equitable and inclusive society for generations to come.

So, on this day we ask you to;

Celebrate women’s achievement.

Raise awareness about discrimination

Take action to drive gender parity.

#CountHerIn

#InspireInclusion

Illawarra Legal Centre (ILC) provides free legal advice and services, so if you or anyone you know is being impacted by gender discrimination, violence or abuse, contact us on 4276 1939.

Happy International Women’s Day!

#IWD2024

To find out more visit: 

https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

https://unwomen.org.au/get-involved/international-womens-day/

“Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All”

On 10 December 2023, the world commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).  This historic document upholds the inherent rights to which every individual is entitled as a human being – regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status.

Human rights violations have far-reaching consequences across borders and generations.  Over the past 75 years since the UDHR’s proclamation, significant strides have been made in advancing human rights.  However, progress does not mean the fight for rights and equality ever ends.

The theme for this year is “Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All”.

As the world faces challenges new and ongoing; pandemics, conflicts, inequalities, racism, climate change, the values, and rights enshrined in the UDHR provide guideposts for our collective actions that do not leave anyone behind.

ILC actively contributes to the advancement of human rights by providing free legal services to members of our community. We strive to empower individuals to realise their legal rights, with a particular focus on those experiencing social and economic disadvantages in the Illawarra and surrounding areas.

By acknowledging this significant day, we underscore the importance of promoting initiatives to address issues such as exclusion, gender equity, homelessness, poverty and justice for all.

We need to stand up for our rights and those of others.  We all have a role to play.

To find out more visit:

https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-rights-day

#HumanRightsDay