Author: Kerri

National Reconciliation Week – Be a Voice for Generations

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us (individuals, families, communities, organisations and governments) can contribute to achieving 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.

The theme for NRW this year is “Be a Voice for Generations.”

The theme encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise.

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, act today for a more just, equitable and reconciled country for all.

We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation.

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

The 26th May is National Day of Healing / National Sorry Day.

National Day of Healing (National Sorry Day) on May 26 is held each year on the day before Reconciliation Week begins.

On this day in 1997 the “Bringing Them Home” Report was tabled in Parliament.  One of the many recommendations of this report was that the Prime Minister apologise to the Stolen Generations.  Then Prime Minister John Howard refused to do so.

A year after the ‘Bringing Them Home’ report, the first National Sorry Day was observed and was held as a day for reflection, mourning, and healing.

In 2005, the National Sorry Day Committee renamed the day as the National Day of Healing and called on Australians to reflect upon the mistakes of the past, learn more about current issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and show a commitment towards reconciliation.

On 13 February 2008 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a formal apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly to the Stolen Generations whose lives had been blighted by past government policies of forced child removal and assimilation.

“… today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history.

We reflect on their past mistreatment.

We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations – this blemished chapter in our national history.

The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia’s history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future.

We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.

We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.

For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.

To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.

And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry….”

Each year, commemorations are held to remember and acknowledge the mistreatment of Australia’s First Nations peoples, particularly the Stolen Generations.

It is a day of observance, before moving into a week of reconciliation and finding a better way forward.

This day serves as a reminder of the ongoing work that needs to be done to address the lasting impacts of these past injustices and to promote reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

It is a day when Australians have the opportunity to work together for healing and reconciliation.

We extend our respect to the Stolen Generations and acknowledge the strength and resilience of all survivors, their families and their communities.

#NationalDayOfHealing 

#NationalSorryDay

#SorryDay

Join us this National Volunteer Week in recognising the fantastic contribution volunteers make and to say thank you.

The contribution of volunteers is often unseen and unrecognised by many, visible only through the incredible impact of their volunteering; it is an activity with immense economic, social and cultural value.

The theme this year is ‘The Change Makers’.  The week-long event recognises the vital support that the millions of volunteers in our country provide to their communities and encourages people to consider volunteering.  Here at Illawarra Legal Centre (ILC), we have first-hand experience of the impact volunteers make and it all starts with the act of giving their time to a cause they believe in.

So, “Thank You!” to our incredible volunteers; our volunteer management committee, volunteer solicitors, volunteer students and all our centre volunteers.  ILC can reach more people and provide more services because of the work you do.

We are grateful for your hard work, dedication and ongoing commitment, even in the most challenging of times.

Contact us if you’re keen to volunteer and to learn more about opportunities with ILC.

Happy National Volunteer Week!

#NVW2023

#TheChangeMakers

#volunteers

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.

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 and website 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.

#LawWeek2023

#TDOV

International Trans Day of Visibility is a day of pride and celebration for gender diverse identity, achievements, and community.

On this day and every day, we recognise trans and gender diverse people’s contributions, successes, strength and resilience.  We also celebrate the activism and determination that has brought us so far in the fight for justice and equality.   Visibility matters!

While recognition and celebration are important it doesn’t always result in trans and gender diverse people having the rights, protections, and safety they deserve.

Illawarra Legal Centre (ILC) acknowledges the adversity and discrimination that the trans and gender diverse community continues to face today.

Trans and gender diverse people are protected against discrimination, harassment and violence in many areas under New South Wales and federal law.  Laws also protect your safety in public, and your privacy when interacting with large organisations or government departments.

The legal system can be a difficult place and some of the laws providing trans and gender diverse people protection are complex.  As a community legal centre ILC assists people to realise their legal rights.  Whether it is at work, in education, when accessing goods or services, or interacting with government departments.  If you need legal help, call us 4276 1939, the staff at ILC can provide you with free legal advice.

#TDOV2023

#HarmonyWeek #EveryOneBelongs

Harmony Week, 20th to the 26th of March 2023, is a Week of celebration.

Nearly half (49 per cent) of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was.  During Harmony Week we bring together Australians from all different backgrounds and recognise our diversity.  It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.

Whilst Harmony Week is a uniquely Australian event, it coincides with Harmony Day, which takes place on the 21st of March each year.  Harmony Day is also known as the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.  The world observes this date as the Day freedom from racial discrimination should be acknowledged and maintained as a human right.  However, many people still face racism. Whilst Harmony Week is a celebratory event, it also serves to campaign against discrimination.

Australia has an incredible history of multiculturalism; from the oldest continuous culture in the world of our First Nations people to the cultures of our newest arrivals from many countries around the world, Australia is a vibrant, multicultural land with more than 300 ancestries and more than 70 Indigenous languages spoken.

This Week reminds us that we should celebrate this and work together to promote the message of harmony.

At Illawarra Legal Centre, we are committed to fostering an environment where “everyone belongs”.  We strive to assist people to realise their legal rights, promoting social justice for all and providing a safe and inclusive environment.

We continue to actively protect the human rights of those who are vulnerable and seek to change the structures that systematically undermine those rights.

The message of respect and belonging can be lived by each of us, every day, not just during Harmony Week

#HarmonyWeek

#EveryOneBelongs

#HarmonyDay

To find out more visit: 

https://www.harmony.gov.au/about

https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-racism-day

International Women’s Day (IWD) 2023

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.

This year, the UN’s International Women’s Day theme is ‘Cracking the Code: Innovation for a gender equal future’.

‘Cracking the Code’ highlights the need to disrupt the current codes of behaviours, beliefs and systems that foster entrenched inequality through generational and systemic gender-based discrimination.

To crack the code to gender equality, we need transformative ideas, inclusive technologies, and accessible education.

So, on this day we ask you to;

Celebrate women’s achievement.
Raise awareness about discrimination.
Take action to drive gender parity.#EmbraceEquity

Staff from ILC embracing equity. #EmbraceEquityIllawarra 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!

#CrackingTheCode

#IWD2023

#EmbraceEquity

To find out more visit: 

https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

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

“Overcoming Barriers and Unleashing Opportunities for Social Justice”

World Day of Social Justice is held on 20 February every year to focus on the progress of social justice throughout the world and to press for improvements and solutions.

This year’s theme is “Overcoming Barriers and Unleashing Opportunities for Social Justice”.  So, the 2023 World Day of Social Justice provides an opportunity to foster dialogue on actions needed to strengthen the social contracts that are meant to protect the rights of workers.

Poverty and inequalities within and among countries are on the rise in many parts of the world. The economic and social crises of recent years have been exacerbated by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters due to accelerating climate change, geopolitical tensions and armed conflicts.

Beyond the human tragedies associated with them and their impact on the world of work, these crises have highlighted the interlinkages and dependencies of economies and societies around the world.

Social justice makes societies and economies function better and reduces poverty, inequalities and social tensions.

As a community legal centre, Illawarra Legal Centre (ILC), assists some of the most disadvantaged people in our community and our workers know all too well how social injustice and inequalities affect the people of the Illawarra.

Over the last 3 years, we have seen the impact of COVID-19, bushfires and flooding on our community. The needs of those we help have become that much greater.

People who were already living with disadvantages, including unemployment or underemployment, high levels of existing debt, homelessness, or difficulties with access to health and social services were further marginalised.

We know that during times like these serious legal issues can escalate quickly.

We need long term systemic change that affords people a sense of security in their lives.

We need to reduce inequality and end poverty. 

ILC strives to advance social justice through the delivery of our free legal services to members of our community.  We assist people to realise their legal rights, with a particular focus on reaching people who are experiencing social and economic disadvantage and live in the Illawarra and surrounding areas.

By acknowledging this important day, we recognise the need to promote efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion, employment, gender equity and access to social well-being and justice for all.

To find out more visit: 

United Nations – Social Justice Day

The ILO and the Quest for Social Justice