National Volunteer Week – Your Year to Volunteer

National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering and recognises the incredible contribution millions of volunteers make across the country.

This year’s theme, ‘Your Year to Volunteer’, celebrates the people who generously give their time, skills and knowledge to support others, while also encouraging more people to discover the connection, purpose and positive change that volunteering can create.

At Illawarra Legal Centre (ILC), we see firsthand the impact volunteers make in our community every day. Whether serving on our Board, providing legal expertise, supporting events and projects, assisting as students, or contributing in countless other ways, our volunteers help us reach more people and strengthen the services we provide.

To all of our volunteers — thank you!

Thank you for your generosity, dedication, compassion and ongoing commitment to social justice and our community. Your contribution makes a genuine difference and we are incredibly grateful for the time and care you give to ILC.

If you’re interested in volunteering or would like to learn more about opportunities with ILC, we’d love to hear from you.

Happy National Volunteer Week!

#NVW2026

#VolunteerYear

#volunteers

#volunteering

Law Week – demystifying the law and empowering people!

A while ago we arranged for University of Wollongong law students to interview homeless people at Warrawong Residents’ Forum as part of the Criminalisation of Homelessness project. Researchers also interviewed our staff and the staff of Warrawong Residents’ Forum. Highlights of the interviews have now been published

Are you building, renovating or dealing with a tradie dispute?

Join us for a FREE legal talk presented by HoBAS –the Home Building Advocacy Service.

This workshop aims to assist people to:

• know their rights,
• resolve disputes sooner, and
• know when & where to ask for help and advice.

HoBAS is a NSW statewide legal service supporting homeowners and consumers who are experiencing problems with builders, tradespeople, or owner-builders. The service is independent, free, and available to anyone in NSW.

Celebrating Our People

For forty years, the heartbeat of the Illawarra Legal Centre has been its people. ILC has grown because countless individuals have give their time, skill, courage and compassion to the pursuit of justice.

“Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials”

On 10 December, the world marks Human Rights Day and reaffirms its commitment to 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 any other status.

The theme for this year is “Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials”.  It reminds us that human rights are not abstract ideals—they shape and support our daily lives in ways we may not always see.  From access to housing, safety, education and healthcare, to the ability to speak freely, participate in community, and live without discrimination.

Human rights underpin the dignity and wellbeing of every person.

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

This year’s theme also reminds us that human rights are positive, essential and attainable (Our Everyday Essentials), and that protecting them is the key to building stronger, fairer and more resilient communities.

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, inequality, gender equity, discrimination, homelessness, poverty and justice for all.

Stand up for your rights.  Stand up for the rights of others.

Human rights are our everyday essentials.  We all have a role to play.

To find out more visit: https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-rights-day

#HumanRightsDay

#OurEveryDayRights

#UDHR 

#HumanRightsForAll

ILC Annual Report 2025 – Celebrating 40 Years of Justice & Community

From our humble beginnings in 1985, with just one lawyer and one youth worker, Illawarra Legal Centre has grown into a vital and resilient institution with over 20 dedicated staff. This growth is more than just numbers – it refelects a deepening commitment to access to justice and a community that continues to place its trust in us.

International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is a United Nations (UN) recognised day held on 3 December each year to celebrate the contributions and achievements of people with disability.

The UN theme for IDPwD this year is ‘‘Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress” — reminding us that real social progress depends on ensuring everyone can participate fully, contribute, and belong.

In Australia alone, there are 5.5 million people with disability – neighbours, colleagues, classmates, friends, family. Not all disability is the same, and some disabilities are invisible.

By joining the conversation and listening to the stories and lived experiences of people with disability, we can challenge our own perceptions about disability and help make positive changes in the community.

We encourage everyone to get involved and join the celebration! Together, we can all take action to make our community more accessible, challenge stereotypes, remove barriers, and promote inclusive and respectful attitudes and behaviours in our community.

For more information about IDPwD, visit www.idpwd.com.au or follow @idpwd on Facebook and Twitter.

Today, let’s commit to building a community where everyone belongs, everyone matters, and no one is left behind.

#IDPwD    #IDPwD2025     #IDPwD25