We get a lot of clients asking how they approach making arrangements for their children following a separation. Here are the basics. Parents are encouraged to work together in making arrangements for their children following a separation. This may include who the children live with, how much time they spend time with each parent, where
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Have You Been Involved In A Motor Vehicle Accident?
BY MARIJANA HAWKINS Have you been involved in a motor vehicle accident? Are you unsure of what to do afterwards? Confused about motor vehicle insurance? Read below to find out what to do if you have a bingle. STOP your vehicle. ASSIST in any way you can. EXCHANGE YOUR DETAILS (car registration details, name and
Continue ReadingBuying a car privately? Read this first!
BY SHANE FOYSTER The top 5 things you need to know when buying a car privately or online. We often speak to people who bought a car from a private seller after seeing an ad on social media or a website. Here are 5 things we wish all our clients knew before they buy a
Continue ReadingWorld Elder Abuse Awareness Day
This World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) the Barwon Elder Abuse Primary Prevention (BEAPP) Network and Barwon Community Legal Service is standing alongside the City of Greater Geelong to partner on the Inheritance Not An Entitlement Campaign. This social media campaign features a series of short films that challenge commonly held myths about inheritance and
Continue ReadingNational Volunteer Week 2021 – Melisa Veljan shares her story.
Melisa Veljan started as one of our valued law student volunteers leading to experience across many areas of law. Eventually she was employed by BCLS while juggling university and other employment. Melisa shares her experience for Volunteers Week 2021. I ran into my former high school principal when I was working in a retail job
Continue ReadingEmployment Law Explained
Our community lawyer, Shane Foyster, spoke to Tom and Loggy on K-Rock about employment rights and COVID-19. [button href=”https://www.krock.com.au/shows/fresh-daily/our-blog/112660-employment-law-explained-with-shane-foyster-from-bcls” target=”_blank” css_classes=”button_hilite “]Listen here[/button]
Continue ReadingWe Talk Centrelink on K-Rock
Our community Lawyer, Emma Cvitak, talked to Stampsy and Josh on K-Rock about Centrelink, and answered these common questions arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic. – I’ve lost my job because of COVID-19, what Centrelink payments am I eligible for? – Does my partner’s income and assets matter? – So you’ve figured out which payment
Continue ReadingOur School Lawyer Program arrives at Western Heights College
We have partnered with Western Heights College to establish a school lawyer program. Damien Pitts of BCLS is the school lawyer and is part of Western Height’s well-being team, which includes a school nurse, psychologist, and chaplain. Damien is at Western Heights every Wednesday and Friday. All Western Heights students are welcome to see Damien
Continue ReadingDon’t ignore your fines and infringements – get help early to avoid paying more
Did you know that the longer you leave an infringement notice (a fine), the more serious it can become? Get legal help early and don’t leave it too late. There are a number of ways you can receive a fine. Some examples of common fines are: Speeding or red light fines – issued by a
Continue ReadingOur holistic Family Violence Service – Cassandra’s story
Not only can we assist a client to apply for and obtain a Family Violence Intervention Order but we can also help with associated legal problems such as fines, consumer debt and Centrelink. Cassandra* is a single mum of two primary school aged children. Cassandra called us a couple of days after making her application
Continue ReadingReclaiming the Night to launch the Barwon Month of Action
On 26th October 2018, we joined communities across the Barwon region to advocate for the fundamental right of women to be safe and free from violence. Over fifty women, men and children marched through Seagull Paddock in North Geelong to Reclaim the Night before arriving at Diversitat Northern Hub for the official launch of the
Continue ReadingBCLS urges the City of Greater Geelong to sign the Mayoral Joint Statement regarding social security for our refugees and asylum seekers
In May 2015, the Department of Home Affairs announced that those who had entered Australia by boat as so-called unauthorised maritime arrivals between 13 August 2012 and 1 January 2014 would be invited to apply for Temporary Protection Visas (TPV) or Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (SHEV). Before this, those falling within this category were unable
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