St Kilda Legal Service Annual Report 2006-2007 - Community Law

Thirty Four Years of the ServiceThe First YearThe St Kilda Free Legal Service, as it was knownat its inception, began informally in 1971, but itwasn’t until 1973 that the Service began to recruitvolunteer solicitors. At the first meeting on 4thApril 1973, “more than 40 legal men” attended tohelp set up the Service, which would hold advicesessions two nights a week.The Legal Service was part of the new St KildaCommunity Group that was set up to providewelfare services to the community, includingfamily planning, chiropody, marriage guidanceand welfare referrals. The St Kilda Legal Servicewas one of the first community legal centres (CLC)to be established in Victoria.St Kilda Community Group, now known as thePort Phillip Community Group, held its first AGMin August 1973, for which a Chairman’s annualreport was written (by Richard Thomas) andincluded a summary on each of the services theCommunity Group offered. A summary on the StKilda Legal Service was included in the report,which is below:An exciting development of the last couple of yearshas been the growth in the provision of legal aidservices for those of limited means. The SteeringCommittee was keen to incorporate some sortof legal aid service in the Centre and this hasnow been a reality for a number of months. Thescheme involves the co-operation of qualifiedlawyers, law students and some enthusiastic laypeople. The formative stages were also smoothedby the efforts of Marion Scow, Helen Hollidayand of Anna Haslett … There are now four legalaid services, to my knowledge, operating in themetropolitan area. We are pleased and proud tohave one in St Kilda. This is a suburb with a verygreat need for this type of service. The very highnumber of deserted wives, single parents andsimilar people results in a higher than averageneed for basic legal advice. Many of our residentssimply cannot afford professional assistance andso, without this service, they would remain inignorance of their legal rights and opportunities.The level of need is very simply demonstrated bythe fact that the Legal Aid Service is now operatingon two evenings each week and is usually handlinga capacity demand of some fifteen cases persession. Although some points remain to be ironedout by those running the Service, such as the exacttype of cases which may in future be handledbeyond simply the advice stage and the methodof funding, they have already come a long way.There are many grateful local citizens who wouldjoin me in thanking this dedicated band of men andwomen for providing this service and making ourdimension of service that much wider.At first, few people realised the free Legal Servicewas available, but demand increased dramaticallybetween June and November 1973 and an urgentcall for further volunteers was published in thelocal newspaper, the Southern Cross.With the Service’s popularity came the need fora more efficiently operated Service, and four lawstudents (Barry Berger, Alan Rochman, Sam Chizikand Joe Katz) were given the task of developing astructure to ensure the ongoing coordination anddevelopment of the Service. These volunteerswere crucial to the ongoing operations of theService in its early developmental stage.Thirty-four years ofAchievementsThe Service commenced as an unfundedorganisation, staffed entirely by a group ofvolunteers. It continued on a volunteer basisfor a number of years with small funding grantsfrom the then St Kilda Council and with ongoingsupport from the St Kilda Community Group.In February 1980, the Service was registeredas a Co-operative and became officially knownas the St Kilda Legal Service Co-Op. Ltd.The Service became a separate entity from theSt Kilda Community Group and a Boardof Directors was appointed to oversee themanagement of the Service, which is how theService is still run today.Katie TuckerSKLS day service volunteerInka AlexanderSKLS Monday night volunteerPierre BaumeSKLS Monday night volunteerAnnual Report 2006 – 2007

The St KildaLegal Serviceis one of 52CommunityLegal Centresoperating inVictoriaPaul Kounnas & his tiramisu!Wed night volunteerAlso in 1980, the work of the Service and thatof other Community Legal Centres was finallyacknowledged by the then Commonwealth LegalAid Commission. The funding allocation of $3,000enabled the Service to employ a part-time solicitor.As funds increased over the years, the Service hasbeen able to expand its catchment area to includethe Cities of Port Phillip, Bayside, Stonningtonand parts of Glen Eira.The Service has a long history of co-location withthe Port Phillip Community Group (previouslythe St Kilda Community Group) at the St. KildaCommunity Centre and until early 2005, theSt. Kilda Branch of the Tenants Union of Victoria.The Community Group has provided muchsupport to the Legal Service over the years,including the provision of reception, workspaceand stationery resources in the early years whenthe Service was insufficiently funded for suchnecessities.Over the years the Service has received increasedfunding from various sources and has been ableto employ an administrator, a casework lawyer,a community legal education lawyer, a volunteercoordinator and a community drug outreachlawyer. The Service is primarily funded by the Stateand Commonwealth through the CommunityLegal Services Program, and administered byVictoria Legal Aid.In 2003 the Service initially received fundingfrom the Department of Human Services – DrugStrategy Initiatives Grant Scheme to conducta pilot project which involved the provision oflegal assistance to people with a drug and/oralcohol problem. Funding for this program wasextended over an 18- month period. Despite theextensive lobbying undertaken by the Serviceand irrespective of the resounding success of theprogram, the Department ceased the funding inJune 2004. The Service was extremely fortunatehowever when the State Attorney Rob Hullsfavourably responded to the requests from ourService and our various supporters to fund thecontinuation of the Drug Outreach Program. TheAttorney General announced the provision offunding to enable us to continue the work of theprogram for a further 3 years for the 2005-2007funding period.In the lead up to the next funding cycle, withthe assistance of Les Rosenblatt, the Servicesubmitted a report on the successful operationof the DOL program, including letters of supportfrom local and state government and localagencies. There was great relief when VictoriaLegal Aid confirmed that the funding for the DOLProgram would continue as part of our Service’srecurrent funding allocation under the CommunityLegal Centre program.The Legal Service NowThe St Kilda Legal Service is one of 52 CommunityLegal Centres operating in Victoria.Today the Legal Service and the Port PhillipCommunity Group continue to work collaborativelyon common issues affecting members of thecommunity; some resources are shared, as isthe day-to-day responsibility for the CommunityCentre operations. Co-location has proven to beof benefit to both organizations, and their paidand unpaid workers and also to those seekingassistance from one of the various programsoperating within the Community Centre. Thisis because many people attending requireassistance with a number of issues, many ofwhich can be accommodated to varying degreesat the Community Centre.Although funding for the St Kilda Legal Serviceand other CLCs has certainly improved somewhatover the years, particularly with respect to Statefunding, it remains inadequate to meet theneeds of our local community. The capacity tooffer adequate levels of pay and better workingconditions for staff continues to be of concernto the Board and other Community Legal Centremanagements.Irrespective of our funding woes, the commitmentby the Legal Service Board of Directors, staffand volunteers to providing free and accessibleservices to the disempowered and disadvantagedmembers of our community remains as strongand as relevant as it was when the Servicecommenced in 1973.22 Annual Report 2006 – 2007

Organisational StructureSocialAccountabilityCommunityProfessionalAccountabilityProfessional Bodies:Legal Service BoardLaw Institute of VictoriaBar CouncilFinancial& ProgramAccountabilityFunders:State/Cwth GovStructuralAccountabilityOffice of Business AffairsCooperative requirementsVictoria Legal AidCLC Funding ProgramBoard of DirectorsMade up of local residents and workers in thecommunity, members of the legal profession,and other legal service volunteersSt Kilda Community CentreSt.Kilda LegalService Staff• Principal Lawyer• Administrator• Volunteer Coordinator• Community Legal Education Lawyer• Community Drug Outreach LawyerPort PhillipCommunity Group• Neighbourhood House Program• Information and support program• Financial Counselling Program• ConnectED• Development ProgramSouthportSupport ServiceAlma RoadCommunity HouseVolunteer ProgramNight Service Day ServiceVolunteer Lawyer CoordinatorReceptionistLawyersArticled ClerksStudentsAdministrative WorkersStudentsAnnual Report 2006 – 2007

Chairperson’s ReportWe can anddo make adifference.Heartfeltthanks toeveryoneinvolvedfor anothergreat yearChairperson Renata Alexanderin a sisterly hug with InkaThis is my 32nd year as a volunteer at St. KildaLegal Service and I remain as appreciative andsupportive as ever of the fine work and assistanceprovided by the staff and volunteers in so manydifferent contexts and spheres.We continue to operate a busy community legalcentre with a great team of staff and volunteerswhose commitment over many years reflectsthe commitment and resilience of the many staffand volunteers that work in the community legalcentre sector generally.Initial thanks to our hardworking staff, Suzy Fox(congratulations on 20 years with the Service),Anthea Teakle, Jacinta Maloney, Kerrin Panlook,Vanda Hamilton and Adrian Snodgrass whobetween them have close to 50 years of combinedservice to our community.Thanks also to our equally dedicated volunteers- particularly Inka Alexander for 24 years ofvolunteering, locums, Co-operative members andco-residents at St. Kilda Community Centre.Last but not least thanks to the Board membersRichard Zatorski (Treasurer), Chris Atmore(Secretary), Adam Meyer, Les Rosenblatt andSuzy Fox (staff representative) who diligentlyattend monthly pizza-catered meetings and extrameetings and planning days and help steer ourservice along the right policy and fiscal tracks.There have been a number of staff changes inthe last year. We farewelled Peter Lunt and AnnJorgensen in the Drug Outreach Lawyer positionand welcomed Vanda as the new full-time DrugOutreach Lawyer after having played musicalchairs with Jacinta in the CLE/Law Reformposition. We also welcomed Adrian as the newpart-time CLE/Law Reform Lawyer who is nowjob sharing with Jacinta Maloney who returned tothe position 2 days per week in December after12 months maternity leave.We managed to secure on-going funding for ourdrug outreach lawyer program and thanks andappreciation to Victoria Legal Aid and the StateAttorney Generals for their continued support ofthe program and to Les Rosenblatt for researchingand developing the submission and following upletters of support.A major update of our Service’s Policy andProcedures Manual was undertaken last yearand the Board and staff continue to monitor itsapplication making necessary adjustments asrequired. It has helped to successfully resolvevolunteer and staff issues to date.This year has also seen an injection of additionalState funding aside from CPI increases and anallocation of capital equipment to the Service.The capital equipment included updatedcomputer software and hardware which wasgreatly welcomed. The funding increase was theresult of successful negotiations undertaken withVictoria Legal Aid by the Australian Service Union(ASU) on behalf of Community Legal Centre stafffor a proposed Multi Business Agreement. TheMBA provides better pay and conditions for staffcompared to entitlements provided for by theSACS Award.After lengthy negotiations had been undertakenbetween Victoria Legal Aid, the Department ofJustice, the ASU and CLC representatives, theBoard considered the final draft and agreed tobe a party to the MBA with the ASU and staff.This however was not before VLA and the Stategave a commitment to CLCs to also fund theCommonwealth proportion of costs involved inimplementing the MBA.Our thanks and appreciation to all parties involvedin the negotiations and we look forward to thefull implementation of the MBA which will gosome way to improving our staff’s wages andconditions.Our service caters to the many diverse legaland associated issues and needs facing ourclients and we need to continue to represent andadvocate for those clients at all levels of decisionmakinginside and outside the legal system. Wecan and do make a difference.Heartfelt thanks to everyone involved for anothergreat year.Renata AlexanderChairperson, Board of Directors Annual Report 2006 – 2007

Board of Directors & StaffBoard of DirectorsRenata AlexanderRichard ZatorskiChris AtmoreAdam MeyerLes RosenblattSuzy FoxChairpersonTreasurerSecretaryStaff RepresentativeMembers of the Board of Directors act in avoluntary capacity in managing staff, resourcesand finances of the Service.The Board is responsible for ensuring that staffoperate within a safe workplace, and that allaward conditions and procedures and practicesare in place to facilitate the provision of accessiblelegal services to the community.It is the Board’s role to ensure the Service’soperations:• reflect the core principles of CLCs• are legally & financially accountable• meet requirements of the funders’ ServiceAgreements• are planned, developed, implemented andevaluated annually through workplansApart from managing the Service, Board membersalso contribute considerable time and energy bybeing involved in other aspects of the Service.Renata and Adam are also involved as volunteerlawyers at the night service advice sessions andLes has now replaced Richard as the Service’srepresentative on the St. Kilda Centre RenovationCommittee. Chris and Renata have also beeninvolved in staff selection panels this year, Chrisfor the CLE/Law Reform position and Renata forDrug Outreach lawyer position.The staff very much appreciate the continuedsupport of Board members throughout the year,and the personal time which they generously giveto the service.StaffSt Kilda Legal Service employs five staff members,with two of these positions being full-time. Thesmall staff team report directly to the Board.Community Casework Lawyer,Kerrin PanlookKerrin, as principal solicitor, is responsible for alllegal advice and casework undertaken by theService, and ensures that professional standardsand statutory requirements are met. Kerrinsupervises night service files as well as conductingher own legal matters during the day.Volunteer & Night ServiceCo-ordinator, Anthea TeakleAnthea recruits the Service’s day and eveningvolunteers, assists with their training and providesthem with ongoing support. Anthea also coordinatesthe night service advice sessions alongwith the volunteer Solicitor Co-Ordinators, aswell as undertaking some paralegal work andmonitoring the night service statistics.Community Legal Educationand Law Reform Lawyers(shared position) - JacintaMaloney and Adrian SnodgrassThe CLE/Law Reform Lawyer position changedinto a shared position upon Jacinta’s return from12 month maternity leave for 2 days per weekin late December. Vanda Hamilton had workedin the position during Jacinta’s absence andcontinued working on a couple of projects untiltheir completion. Adrian Snodgrass commencedin the shared position with Jacinta in early 2007and they share the responsibility for co-ordinatingthe community legal education, law reform andlegal policy activities undertaken by the Service.Both workers participate in local networks andFederation working groups and provide legaladvice and casework assistance as required.Administrator, Suzy FoxSuzy is responsible for ensuring the financialaccountability and reporting requirements of therelevant funding bodies are met. Suzy undertakesgeneral and casework administrative functions,undertakes some paralegal work and supports theday service volunteers. Suzy is also responsiblefor resourcing the Board on staff issues andoperational functions of the Service.Drug Outreach LawyerThis year there were a number of staff changesto the DOL program which had been operatingfor some time as a shared position employinglawyers Ann Jorgensen and Peter Lunt. Ann leftthe Service to take up a full-time position andwas followed shortly thereafter by Peter whodecided to leave to pursue other ambitions. Theopportunity was then taken to review the staffingof the program and the decision was made tochange it back to a full-time position.Vanda HamiltonSKLS Drug Outreach lawyerAnthea TeakleSKLS Staff memberAdrian SnodgrassCLE workerAnnual Report 2006 – 2007

Suzy FoxSKLS AdministratorSuzy Fox & sisterMaz Fox, PPCG workerVanda Hamilton successfully applied for theposition, initially job sharing with a locum lawyerKon Tringas until such time as she completed theCLE maternity position. Vanda was then able tocommence full-time mid January 2007. Duringstaff absences Kerrin Panlook (Principal Solicitor)also provided support for the program.Since leaving, Ann and her partner Rob havebecome parents to Isabelle and Peter and hispartner Rita have become parents to Jules. Wewish them and their new families well.The DOL provides legal advice, referral, informationand casework services to drug and alcoholusers at various outreaches at local communityorganizations and those who directly contactthe Service. This program enables the Service toreach marginalized clients with complex needswho would otherwise not access the Service.Suzy Fox…20 Years of Amazing ServiceIf we counted the hours that Suzy has actuallyput in at 161 Chapel Street, we would becommemorating something like her fortiethyear at the Service. As it is, Suzy has been anabsolutely integral component of the Servicesince she first arrived on the 19th September1987. Even then, she was sure to have hadthe fire in her belly and an indomitable sense ofjustice; particularly for women and the vulnerablein the community. In those early days, when all theimportant decisions were made via a consensusdecision-making process by all the workers atthe weekly Collective meetings; when the fightfor injustice was regularly taken to the street; andwhen the megaphone and smoking at your deskwas virtually compulsory, Suzy must have felt shehad arrived home!As anyone who has had more than a passingknowledge of SKLS would know, Suzy’s positionas administrator at the Service involves muchmore than attending to the requirements of thefunders and the Board Directors, paying the billsand ensuring the staff get paid. She is activelyinvolved in paralegal work, often making that extraphone call to ensure something gets done! Suzyalso assists with the volunteer program and withher usual attention to detail will track down anyrecalcitrants who omit to bring their files forwardor complete their stats sheets properly!Suzy has also played an integral role in the CLCsector over the years. She has been on the coordinatingcommittee of the Federation. She’sbeen active on the administrators’ workinggroup in its various incarnations and made somestrong friendships with these wonderful women.Most recently, Suzy has been on the Access toInterpreters’ Working Group, which involves afair bit of boring administration and prodding/encouraging workers to comply with the variousexternal funding requirements in order that CLCsreceive this most important access to appropriatelyskilled interpreters. Suzy’s involvement withthese various groups reveals some of her mostendearing and enduring qualities: she is a worker,who is prepared to put the work in for a worthwhilepurpose; she selflessly provides and values thesupport given and received by her colleagues,particularly the other administrators in the sector;and she is not backward in telling people what’srequired and how she sees it in meetings andwhen doing committee work.Suzy does not suffer fools. She has no doubttaught many new workers and volunteers how toswear with conviction. She is not quiet in the office(and when she is, we become worried). Her mindis ever enquiring, and never short of a question toask. Do not tell her you have been traveling andexpect to conclude the conversation in a hurry.Suzy works too hard. She has suffered far toomany sleepless nights worrying about this place.Suzy is loyal. She always has time to assist otherswith their work. She is fundamentally committedto assisting the clients – even when she gets sickof answering the phone. Although Suzy does worktoo hard, she knows life is not all about the SKLSand she provides sustained, practical and lovingsupport to her friends, family and colleagues.What can we say except,thank you Suzy! Annual Report 2006 – 2007

FundingCommonwealthand State RecurrentFundingThe Service’s primary source of funding is fromthe State and Commonwealth Attorney General’sDepartments through the CommonwealthCommunity Legal Services Program (CCLSP)program. The Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) CLCFunding Program is responsible for administeringthe funds and ensuring that the Service meets allaccountability requirements set out in the CCLSPService Agreement. VLA is also responsiblefor monitoring the outcomes of the Service’sobjectives and projected performance indicatorsoutlined in the Strategic Plan, which forms part ofthe Service Agreement.The Board of Management and staff would liketo express their thanks and appreciation to theState and Commonwealth Attorney General’sDepartments and Victoria Legal Aid for theallocation of the following grants received in2006 – 2007:Recurrent CCLSPCommonwealth $88,886.00State $116,352.56State – DOL Program $74,822.80Total $280,061.3 6State CapitalEquipment AllocationOur Service also received a capital equipmentgrant from the State Attorney General to upgradeour IT hardware and software to the value of$8,618.The tri-annual funding for the DOL program wasdue for renewal this year so as a precaution theService engaged Les Rosenblatt to undertakeresearch and prepare a submission to supportthe continuation of the program. Accompanyingthe submission were letters of support fromlocal community agencies and local politicianshighlighting of benefits of the program for theclients and the need for the program to beretained in the area.Thankfully Victoria Legal Aid confirmed theprogram funding would continue and now beincorporated into the Service’s recurrent Statefunding. Without the ongoing support of VictoriaLegal Aid and Attorney General’s Department theService would have found it impossible to continueto provide this highly successful and valuableDrug Outreach Program (DOL) to one of the mostmarginalized groups within our community.Commonwealth CapitalEquipment AllocationThe Commonwealth has also allocated funds toCommunity Legal Centres in this financial year butto date the roll out of this allocation is yet to becompleted. However, we are hoping to acquire anew photocopier and printing from this allocation.Multi Business AgreementOver the last year negotiations have beenundertaken on the development of a MultiBusiness Agreement for CLC staff funded underthe CLC Funding Program which was an initiativeof Victoria Legal Aid. At the writing of this reportthe MBA is still to be implemented. However,negotiations were undertaken to secure an exgratia payment to CLCs to cover the pay increasefor the 2006 – 2007 in recognition of the MBAprogress and its expected implementation shortlyafter this period.Both the Department of Justice and Victoria LegalAid have given their commitment to funding theguaranteed annual pay increases of 3% over thenext three year term of the MBA including othernon-salary components such as paid maternityand paternity leave.Our service is greatly appreciative of this initiativewhich will go some way to improving the payand conditions of our staff. We are greatlyappreciative of the work undertaken throughoutthe negotiation stages by representatives ofVictoria Legal Aid, the State Attorney General,the Department of Justice, Community LegalCentres and the Victorian branch of the AustralianServices Union.Claire CarterMonday night volunteerRosalie GutmanWed night volunteerAnnual Report 2006 – 2007

Tristan LeeWed night volunteerRosalie Gutman &Susannah PalmerWed night volunteersIt is unfortunate to report that the Commonwealthis yet to provide substantial increases to the CLCFunding Program aside from annual CPI increasesand the recently announced capital equipmentallocation. This is despite the persistent lobbyingundertaken on behalf of CLCs by the Federationand the National Association of CommunityLegal Centres.The failure of the Commonwealth to provide anysubstantial funding increases to existing CLCshinders our capacity to provide appropriatelevels of service to meet the increasing demandfor free and accessible legal services especiallyto the most disadvantaged. The current levelsof funding also restrict the ability of many CLCsto both retain staff over long periods of time andrecruit new staff with the required experience,particularly with respect to lawyers.Thanks and appreciation to Mark Courtney (VLACLC Program Advisor) and Denise Chevalier(Assistant CLC Program Advisor) for theirassistance throughout the year.Other FundingSourcesOn-site interpretingfunding allocationIn this financial year our Service received anallocation of $3,400 from the CLC FundingProgram of funding provided to VictorianCommunity Legal Centres. The Service utilisesthe majority of its allocation to provide free onsiteinterpreters to client from Culturally andLinguistically Diverse (CALD) communities. Thefunds have also enabled the Service to provideAuslan interpreters for clients who are deaf orhearing impaired.Free Access toTelephone InterpretingServices (TIS)In previous years the Department of Immigrationand Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA)provided CLCs with free unlimited access tothe Telephone Interpreting Service (TIS) andlimited onsite interpreters for clients attendingday advice sessions. This year the responsibilityfor funding the provision of these servicestransferred to the Commonwealth.However, access is restricted to CLCs such asour service that receive Commonwealth fundingunder the CCLSP.A major drawback to this arrangement is that eachState and Territory’s access is limited to a budgetset by the Commonwealth. Centres were advisedthat should the budget be exceeded then theywill be required to meet their own costs for anyfurther usage. Despite Victorian CLCs introducingefficiencies when utilising TIS, keeping withinthe budget became problematic and Centresexpressed concern that budgetary constraintswould further restrict access to CLC services byour CALD communities. A number of concernswere raised with the Commonwealth from VictoriaLegal Aid, the Federation and the NACLC andthis has lead to a revision of the budget whichhas thankfully resulted in an increase in fundingfor the 2007-2008 period.Rental SubsidiaryAlong with the Port Phillip Community Groupwe are exceedingly grateful to the St. KildaParish Mission of the Uniting Church for theirgenerous rent subsidy and thank them for theirongoing support.10 Annual Report 2006 – 2007

AdministrationLittle has changed with respect to the plethora ofadministrative tasks which need to be undertakenby volunteers, the Board and staff of the Serviceover the last year.However there have been some highlights!Administration forms a major part of the operationsof CLCs and its importance can never be underestimatedgiven that it underpins many of thefunctions undertaken by the Service. As outlinedthe volunteer section of this report, our Serviceis very much reliant upon the contribution of ourvolunteers to assist workers with a number ofadministrative tasks.Administration tasks undertaken by staff include:accountability to the Board of Management, financialmanagement, accountability to funding bodies andother relevant legal entities, maintaining membershiprecords and accountability requirements, coordinationof planning and evaluation processes, wage andother employee-related matters, volunteer and nightservicecoordination, casework administration andstatistical collection to name a few.Whilst all staff, volunteers and managementundertake various administrative functions, itshould be noted the majority of administrative tasksare the responsibility of the Service’s Administratorand Night Service Volunteer Coordinator.Upgrade of ComputerSystemThis year we received a much needed upgradeof our computer hardware and software includinga new laptop and a larger server to improve theefficiency and capability of the networking system.This upgrade was made possible through theprovision of capital equipment funding to CLCs bythe State Attorney General’s Department. Due tothe limited resources available to CLCs, grants suchas these are imperative to ensure that we are able towork more efficiently and effectively with up to datecomputer hardware and software systems.ProfessionalDevelopmentSince the employment of Annie Nash and heramazing output of work in the new position ofSector Development Officer at the Federation, ourCentre has seen a noticeable increase in accessto resources such as training and informationsessions, updated information on various grantopportunities and accessing pro bono services toname a few!Staff lawyers have taken advantage of a numberof Continuing Professional Development freetraining sessions, either through the Federationor other organisations such as the Victoria LegalAid and the Victorian Law Foundation. Staff havealso attended various training organised by theFederation such as on the InfoCom ReferralInformation System, Gener-8 Community LawSub-webs and the Human Rights Charter.An excellent example of the many advantages ofco-location at the St. Kilda Community Centrewas the opportunity to participate in Word andExcel training organised for all Centre staff. ThePPCG Executive Officer Sandy Joffe organisedfor their Neighbourhood House Computer Trainer,Prue Newbery to present training specificallytailored for both PPCG and Legal service staff.The training was quite cost effective and a numberof our staff attended the various sessions.Advertising materialupdateAt the end of last year our service engagedgraphic artist Irene Metter in the development ofour new logo and stationery design and this yearwe have worked with Irene on the new servicepamphlet and banner design. A new poster isalso currently in the pipeline. We are very muchappreciative and thankful that we are able to drawon Irene’s professional experience and talentwhich has enabled our service to develop moreeye-catching and professional advertising.James CahillWed night volunteerPaul KounnasWed night volunteerAnnual Report 2006 – 2007 11

Ronni Murohy& Susannah PalmerWed night volunteerShayne BarnsPPCG I&S workerInfoCom ReferralInformation SystemFurther training was undertaken by staff and GailRyan, day service volunteer, on the InfoComReferral Information System to enable us toincorporate our Legal Referral Register to a moreaccessible and efficient database. Printed referralinformation will now be easily made availableto clients. Our thanks and appreciation to Gailfor the exacting work she has undertaken insetting up categories and entering all the relevantinformation onto the database.We also need to thank and acknowledge DianneSilman for her contribution in undertaking thepreparatory work through gathering updatedinformation from the local legal practitioners andlaw firms and specialist law firms.Co-Location with thePort Phillip CommunityGroupThe Legal Service and the Port Phillip CommunityGroup (PPCG) have a 34-year history of colocation;indeed the PPCG previously know as theSt Kilda Community Group provided invaluableadministrative support to the Service in its earlyyears. Both organisations continue to operateeffectively together, sharing in the day-to-dayoperations of the St Kilda Community Centre.The PPCG programs include the NeighbourhoodHouse Program, Neighbourhood DevelopmentProgram, Financial Counselling Service,Information and Support Services, Alma RoadNeighbourhood House and the South PortSupport Services. Co-location brings with it theobvious benefits to the community of crossreferraland being able to have case discussionsbetween services where appropriate andworking collaborating on campaigns and policydevelopment. Workers are able to keep abreastof information in relation to each other’s programsas well as receiving regular updates on othercommunity and council services available toclients. There is also the obvious advantage ofsharing our limited resources and ensuring thereis sufficient staff present to maintain the Centre’sopening hours.PPCG also maintains a volunteer program, whichprovides back up to the front desk workers,who are under constant pressure with variousrequests for assistance and information/supportfrom the community. The volunteer program hasalleviated a great deal of work pressure from allCentre staff and we are greatly appreciative of thecontributions made by Foisha, Rosemary, Kerri,Casey, Siobhan, Di, Jeff and Gary.Our thanks and appreciation also to the PPCGworkers Sandy Joffe, Jo Boltin, Nick Curmi, PeterIrwin, for their ongoing support and assistance,and in particular the information/front desksupport workers Kate Daddo, Shayne Barns andMarilyn Fox. Their support remains integral tothe operations of the Service as they deal withthe majority of the initial legal enquiries, makeappointments and where relevant, assist theService in providing information and referral tothose seeking legal assistance.IT Support FINREAWe wish to acknowledge and express our thanksand appreciation to Justin and Geoff at Finrea forall the IT support that they have provided to staffthroughout the year and for setting up the newIT system.Development Proposalfor the St. KildaCommunity CentreIt is with great disappointment that we againreport that limited progress has been made todate with the proposed development of theCentre. The Service continues to work closelywith the PPCG and the Uniting Church Drop InCentre to seek out funding opportunities and isparticipating in discussions with the Council onthe building’s heritage overlay which is the majorstumbling block for progressing forward. Thelong-term aim of the project is to create a purposebuilt centre – “a community hub” which wouldhave the capacity to respond to the community’schanging needs and for the three organisationsto obtain additional workspace with the capacityto incorporate other programs, meeting rooms,facilities and storage areas. The project is onlyfeasible if the building can be demolished butthis is problematic due to the heritage overlayhowever new advice obtained on the heritagestatus of the building states that the building isneither unique nor the best example of its kindin Victoria by this particular architect. Hopefullycommon sense will prevail in our discussions withCouncil and the decision makers will recognisethe net community benefit gained in agreeing toour development proposal.12 Annual Report 2006 – 2007

Volunteer ProgramCurrent Night ServiceVolunteersMondayRenata Alexander*David KlempfnerMark ShenkenDianne MitchellAvi FurstenbergPierre BaumeJosesphine MariasoosaiClair CarterAbba KhaimovChaim GeronSian RobertsInka AlexanderDaniel KoliebTim WilsonWednesdayRosalie Gutman *Megan RossJames CahillFiona McCordAshley ZafiraPaul KounnasSusannah PalmerTristan LeeRonni MurphyKat TchernovaCarolyn ZeimerCurrent Day ServiceVolunteersKeir WatermanDanijela MalesevicKatie TuckerKim PriceSophie KlopperGail RyanDianne SilmanOdette RichwolSiobhan AlexanderThursdayKingsley Davis*Adam MeyerKon TringasGraeme CantwellPeter GilmourBernadette O’NeillMark LewIlana RochwergerHelen WintherLauren BowdenCarl WilsonSvetlana GrechJane StewartRHed OutreachLaini LibermanEmergenciesHelen DellidisFran WheelahanDesiree KrigsmanField Placement StudentJessica SmithKim StewartVolunteers who haveleft the Service in thelast yearNoa ZurKerryn SaricKate PalethorpeCaragh ReynoldsDavid YueCharles LockeyAndrea StamerBrooke ByrneAnthony VardyPeter CullenKatie TuckerNusrat (Lina) KhandokarRobyn Quilliam TaylorAndrew PowellJosh LevyThe Service’svolunteerprogramcomprises ofapproximately50 volunteers,most of whomattend on aweekly basisCarolyn ZeimerWed night volunteerAshley ZefiraWed night volunteerAnnual Report 2006 – 2007 13

Volunteer & Night ServiceThe vastbulk ofthe legalcaseworkfor theService isconductedduring thenightservicesessionsHelen Winther & Lauren BowdenThurs night volunteersThe past twelve months for the volunteerprogram and night sessions have been largely“business-like” in that there have not been manyparticularly notable events. However, there hasbeen much good work, good will and goodtimes had by all – volunteers and staff alike. Inany event, these everyday achievements here atthe Legal Service should not be underestimatedsince they very often make a significant impacton the lives of our clients – or can at least makethings a little easier.The Service’s volunteer program comprises ofapproximately 50 volunteers, most of whomattend on a weekly basis. We have day servicevolunteers, night service volunteers and volunteerdirectors making up our Board of Management.The day service volunteers are primarily – butnot exclusively - made up of law students andpeople with a background in administration and/or community development. They undertakea range of tasks in order to assist the programworkers. Much work is done to assist thecasework conducted by the volunteer and stafflawyers. This principally involves the preparationof legal correspondence that has been draftedby the volunteer lawyers for Kerrin, the CaseworkLawyer, to check and sign.Another core function undertaken by day servicevolunteers is to assist in entering the caseworkstatistical data onto the CLSIS system. Gettingthis done, and done properly, is crucial – althoughnot always straight forward with around twentypaid and volunteer practitioners contributingcasework and completing paper CLSIS sheetswith varying degrees of attention!Volunteers also greatly assist Anthea in preparingfor the evening advice sessions and the othercasework-related tasks outlined above. Inaddition, the staff endeavour to assign dayservice volunteers with a range of other tasks,projects and opportunities within the organisationwherever possible.Apart from all their skills and experience, ourday volunteers enrich the office with laughterand good times; with it being kind of fun livingvicariously as a law student at times! (Exams andassessment notwithstanding!)The night service volunteers collectively runthree evening sessions each week: on Monday,Wednesday and Thursday. In addition, we arefortunate to have volunteer lawyer, Laini Liberman,occasionally relieve Vanda at RhED as part ofour Drug Outreach Lawyer program, as well asappearing with Vanda at the monthly Street SexWorker List at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.The vast bulk of the legal casework for the Service isconducted during the night service sessions. EachChapel Street evening’s team comprises of 5-6lawyers who collectively possess a range of skillsand experience, an articled clerk, two law studentsand a receptionist. One of the lawyers acts asthe Volunteer Lawyer Co-ordinator, assisting thereceptionist and Anthea with issues of co-ordination,mentoring, induction and lock-up.Fifteen appointments are booked in each evening,covering a wide range of issues. Whilst manybecome “advice only” matters, where no furtherwork is conducted at that time, the volunteers alsorun a substantial number of ongoing files. Manymatters can be quite labour-intensive and somerequire quite complex casework. Complex or not,the staff, Board and clients very much appreciateall the efforts of the volunteer lawyers and supportgiven by the non-legally qualified volunteers.Attending the legal service once a week issignificant in itself, particularly given the very busylives led by most of our volunteers. However, it isnot uncommon for the volunteers to go beyondwhat we ask of them. Volunteer barristers andsolicitors have attended court with our clients ona pro bono basis, and fit additional research ornegotiations in for our clients into their alreadybusy days. Our criminal lawyers, for example,have repeatedly taken it upon themselves duringthe week to chase up a police informant who hasbeen difficult to chase up due to their shift-workor rosters. Similarly, our family lawyers have beenknown to file documents in court for clients whoare not able to do so.We also pay tribute to our emergency volunteerlawyers who come in, sometimes at short notice, tomake an otherwise short-staffed evening “do-able”!The final, very vital, component of our volunteerteam is our Board of Directors. The duties of the14 Annual Report 2006 – 2007

Directors are outlined earlier, but here we wouldlike to pay tribute to their significant volunteercontribution. Not only do they attend the monthlymeetings, but several of them also volunteerduring the evening sessions. Others (as do othervolunteers) input into law reform and CLE papers,and whatever else is within their wide-rangingareas of skill and expertise. Most importantly, theBoard of Directors are enormously supportive ofthe staff and other volunteers.Providing a high quality service to the communityis clearly the most important aim of the volunteerand night-service program. However, facilitatinggood working relationships and friendshipsamongst the volunteers and paid workers isa very important by-product of the program.It is a credit to everyone involved that we haveextremely cohesive, supportive and convivialworkgroups. Some of the volunteers socialiseregularly, others have shared a meal duringreligious holidays; some practitioners have invitedlaw students to assist with their casework orattend court with them; others have invited theircolleagues to attend such momentous occasionsas their wedding or asked a senior practitioner tomove their admission; whilst others save up someparticularly bad (and often inappropriate!) jokes toshare on their night at the Service; rehashing theprevious episode of Boston Legal is a favouriteactivity of some of the vollies. (Although we are along way from shooting the breeze on a balconyoverlooking the Boston cityscape, seated onluxurious white armchairs whilst puffing away onCuban cigars and sipping scotch!)One opportunity we provide for volunteers to gettogether with each other away from the usual workat the Centre is to offer some volunteer training.Our CLE workers, Jacinta and Adrian havebeen active this year in arranging training, withthree sessions being held in the middle monthsof 2007. The Service views it as a responsibilityto offer ongoing training opportunities to allthe volunteers in both substantive law andprofessional development areas. Further detailsof the training are provided in the CLE section ofthis report. Particularly given their already busylives and heavy weekly commitment to attendingthe Service, we thank the volunteers for their highattendances at these sessions. Whether this wasdue to the CPD point on offer, the free dinner, orthe opportunity to learn something new, we donot particularly mind!Naturally, a pivotal component of the work of thevolunteer and night service program is the localcommunity members who attend our Service forassistance. Whilst most people only require ourassistance once, a great many return to us onnumerous occasions. We very much appreciatetheir candour and willingness to share with uswhat is often a very personal story. We alsoappreciate their patience on occasions when theyhave to wait to be seen, and their forbearance inattending our noisy and poorly insulated building.Finally, we pay tribute to and thank the volunteers.We simply could not run this Service without you– and nor would we want to. We are extremelyfortunate to have a wonderful group of extremelyskilled and committed people who make up ourvolunteer team. Here’s to another year of smalland large victories!Gold Watch Awards:David KlempfnerDavid has been with the Service for around tenyears – and been quite busy. In that time, hehas married, had three lovely boys who visitus often and built up a successful practice atthe Bar. We have benefited significantly fromhis vast experience in a range of civil areas oflaw. Whilst David is well known on Mondaynights for avoiding opening files at all costs,for matters he considers warranted it he hasundertaken quite complex work or negotiationsin his own time. This kind of judgment and skillis most appreciated by the Service. In viewof the competing demands for his time andattention, David is now taking a reduced roleat the Service; however, he will always remaina pivotal part of the Monday night team.Providing ahigh qualityservice to thecommunityis clearlythe mostimportantaim of thevolunteer andnight serviceprogramGraeme Gantwell& Kingsley DavisThurs night volunteersMark Lew & Adam MeyerThurs night volunteersAnnual Report 2006 – 2007 15

Caseworker’s ReportIt is achallengeto meet theneeds of aour diversecommunity...different localgovernmentswith differentpriorities andperspectivesMaz Fox & Kate DaddoPPCG I&S workersThe St Kilda Legal Service operates a free legalservice provided by volunteer solicitors threeevenings a week, Monday, Wednesday andThursday. Legal advice and further assistanceis available by appointment through theevening service. A limited service is alsoavailable during the day for emergenciesand for people who have special needs anddifficulties attending at night. The St KildaLegal Service community covers Port Phillip,Bayside and Stonnington Councils and partsof Glen Eira.It is a challenge to meet the needs of ourdiverse community that encompasses differentlocal governments with different priorities andperspectives. Our community includes severallarge public housing estates, many smallbusinesses, and artists, performers, tourists,transients, homeless, sex workers, and clientswith alcohol and drug issues, and further a highproportion of clients suffer with mental healthproblems, and many people live in the communitywho were once institutionalised. There are manyelderly, ill, and disabled people living in ourcommunity and there is a large population ofunemployed. The catchment includes a numberof nursing homes and hospitals and many of ourresidents live in rooming houses.St Kilda is apparently the most exciting suburb inthe metro Melbourne area, it is also recognisedas one of the highest density suburbs in Australia,and this contributes to conflict between residents,old and new populations in St Kilda have verydifferent perspectives about how their communityshould function.The legal team of six all help to manage thecasework service. The team is made up of foursolicitors - the caseworker/principal solicitor, thetwo community legal education (CLE) lawyerswho job share and a solicitor employed in theDrug Outreach program - and the administratorand the volunteer co-ordinator, who both provideparalegal services and are very experienced andknowledgeable professionals.The service provided by the volunteers includescivil, family, administrative and criminal law. Ourvolunteers provide ongoing casework and take onmatters, that require a commitment of extra timebeyond that evening; some volunteers providefurther pro bono court appearances. Articledclerks and law students assist with the eveningservice and the expertise of the volunteer teamensures a supervised and rewarding learningenvironment. We have a number of student dayvolunteers who help with administration andparalegal work and we thank all of our volunteersfor their hard work and commitment (for furtherinformation regarding our volunteer program andour night service please refer to the volunteer/night service section of this report).Many of our clients are struggling with legalprocedure and forms. Our volunteers assistclients as they work through the stages of theirmatter until they can negotiate a settlement, reachmediation or court.On any evening solicitors will be advising onfamily law issues such as divorce, propertydivision and child contact. More complex issuesof domestic violence and problems with serviceare also common.Legal centres see many people who havenowhere else they can find assistance due tomany different factors, sometimes related toincome and others related to the peculiarity of thematter or the complexity of the individual clientand their needs.Family law clients we saw this year werepredominately disputes over arrangements for thechildren of the relationship, and this is generallythe case each year.We see a considerable number of clients wherecommunication and relations between the partiesare highly volatile and abusive; tragically we seeclients who can no longer even locate their childrenand/or ex-partner. We are often the first contact forvery frightened individuals fleeing violent partners16 Annual Report 2006 – 2007

and where there is a significant difference in thebalance of power between parties.Our civil law practice deals predominatelywith debt and motor vehicle accident matters.Companies that buy debts and hound vulnerableclients whose sole income is a Centrelink benefitis a particularly offensive issue for this service.St Kilda’s high-density living and gentrificationensures we continue to advise on a large volumeof neighbourhood and body corporate issues.We also provide legal assistance for co-tenantsand this is an area of law we would like to seereformed. Currently co-tenants can be quitevulnerable with few legal remedies available, oftenthese clients are very young people in their firstshare accommodation and the issues they facecan be overwhelming.The areas of law most commonly seen during thepast financial year are:Civil LawCivil law is the predominant area of practice for theservice, 65% of clients during the past year havehad civil law issues reflecting the lack of affordableassistance available to people other than throughcommunity legal centres. Predominant civil issues:• Debts/Motor Vehicle Accidents• Body Corporate & neighbour disputes• Co-tenancy issues• Deceased estates assistanceInfringements (fines)Enforcement Review Program matters, that isspecial circumstances clients, dominate ourlegal practice. Special circumstances where finesmay be revoked include mental health issues,homelessness, and drug addictionFamily LawThere is also a high demand for family law advice,21% of our clients presented requiring family lawassistance. This is an area of law where clientsoften need urgent advice during an emotionalbreakdown of their relationship. Violence andchild protection are primary concerns.The service provides advice in all areas of familylaw. However, our ongoing casework is generallyrestricted to matters involving children, residence,child contact, divorce and family violence.Criminal LawWe advise many clients with driving or trafficoffences and assault charges. Crimes of fraudand theft are also common, and it is particularlyworrying that most of the theft issues we adviseon are poverty related, with increasing numbersof charges for the theft of food.Drug and alcohol related issues also featureheavily within the night service, day service andthe Drug Outreach Program. However, a drugoffence may not be the primary legal matter.It is common for clients to present at the Servicewith several issues, often with debts, fines, andother legal matters. Fortunately, the Legal Serviceis co-located with the St Kilda Community Centrewhere a financial advisor is employed full time.When there are numerous debts, the client isreferred to the financial counsellor for furtheradvice and we cross refer clients continually.For further statistical information, please refer tothe statistics section of this report.Roremary CoombePPCG VolunteerFoisha Harris & Olivia WhitlamPPCG VolunteersAnnual Report 2006 – 2007 17

Community Legal Education...aninnovative,flexible andresponsiveapproachto thedesign anddeliveryof CLEactivities‘Community Legal Education (CLE) is theprovision of information and education tomembers of the community, on an individualor group basis, concerning the law and legalprocesses, and the place of these in thestructure of society. The community may bedefined geographically or by issue.’(Guidelines for CLE Practice, National CLEAdvisory Group 1995)Community Legal Education (CLE) continues tobe an integral part of the Legal Service’s activities,complementing the advice and casework providedfor clients.The Service, where possible, takes an innovative,flexible and responsive approach to the designand delivery of CLE activities. CLE is recognisedas an effective means of communicatingpreventative measures and attempts to assistindividuals avoid legal conflicts or the escalationof legal disputes. CLE activities are planned,implemented and evaluated within a communitydevelopment framework.The aim of CLE is to improve access to justiceand the legal system by providing membersof our local community with legal informationand education that will empower them to makeinformed choices and raise awareness of theirrights and responsibilities under the law.The National CLE Network for the first timethis year has taken a snapshot/audit of CLE incommunity legal centres across Australia. Theaudit found that CLE is a widespread and growingpart of CLC work.Legal Issues for Professionalsin the sex industry (LIP) UpdateLIP was first published in 2001 by the LegalService in partnership with RhED (Resourcinghealth and education in the sex industry). Thepublication was so popular that it ran out of stockwithin a year. Many of the areas of law contained inthe booklet have undergone substantial changesand a new edition was well overdue. ConsumerAffairs Victoria (CAV) agreed to fund the update.The booklet continues to contain information ona broad range of areas of law relating to sex workincluding employment, taxation, family law, sexualharassment, victims of crime assistance, dealingwith the police and immigration. Thank you toproject workers Peter Lunt and Deborah Randafor the legal research and re-writing of the newedition. We hope to launch the new LIP beforethe end of the year.Industrial Relations SeminarFollowing extensive legislative change to theFederal industrial relations system, the LegalService held a seminar on employment law inJuly for young people, at St. Kilda Town Hall.Speakers included Damian Walsh, Barrister;Andrew McCarthy, Jobwatch; and Anthony Main,Unite. Thank you to the speakers for generouslydonating their time. The seminar was recordedand broadcast by 3CR.Family Law Training SessionFollowing a request from Windana, the LegalService gave a talk to workers on the changesto the family law regime. The session was wellattendedand there was a great deal of interest inthe subject. This talk has subsequently led to anincrease in client referrals by workers at Windanato the legal service.CLE, CPD & Volunteer trainingNew Continuing Professional Development (CPD)rules came into operation on 1st April, introducingrequirements for legal practitioners to completeannual training in ethics, professional skills,substantive law and practice management andlegal skills.By providing training sessions for volunteers wesupport their work for the Service and give them anopportunity to earn CPD points, especially thosewho hold a volunteer CLC practising certificate.The training sessions have been an opportunityfor volunteers to catch up with each other withoutthe demands of seeing clients. They also providea chance to discuss case work guidelines andlegal practice issues within the night service.This year volunteer training sessions have beenheld in two of the required fields - professionalskills and substantive law.18 Annual Report 2006 – 2007

In May an advocate/ guardian with the Office ofthe Public Advocate, conducted a legal educationsession for volunteers. The training coveredan overview of the different types of powers ofattorney, ascertaining a client’s legal capacity andguardianship.In June a CLE worker with the Mental HealthLegal Centre, facilitated a training session forvolunteers on dealing with difficult situations.The session gave volunteers tips on improvingcommunication skills with clients, managingclient expectations and raising the issue of mentalillness with clients.Arts Law ProjectA small community grant from the City of PortPhillip enabled the Legal Service to organisefour free seminars covering areas of law relevantto artists and arts organisations. The seminarswere held on Monday nights at the Dogs Bar andLinden Gallery and presented by lawyers fromClayton Utz who offered their time pro bono. Theseries of seminars covered intellectual property,defamation, contracts, director’s duties andgovernance issues for arts organisations’ boards.Thank you to Clayton Utz for their support ofthis project and to the lawyers who presentedthe sessions - Chris Broadbent, Amanda Jones,Teresa Willemsen and Jasna Bratic.CLE for studentsThe Service presented a CLE session on newlegislation relevant to workers in the alcoholand other drug field for students undertaking aCertificate IV course in drug & alcohol counselling.We also gave a CLE presentation on street sex workand the law to Monash University Law studentsundertaking a community development course.National CLC conferenceworkshopSKLS ran a workshop on multi-departmentraids at the 2006 National CLC conference inWollongong. Multi-departmental raids usuallyinvolve Federal agencies, such as Centrelink andthe Department of Immigration and Citizenship,joining state agencies with coercive powers, suchas the police, to undertake raids targeting certainindustries. The targeted industries usually employa high number of contract workers who oftendon’t now their legal rights, such as sex workersin brothels, taxi drivers and fruit pickers.Law Week 2007The theme for Law Week (13-19 May) this yearwas human rights, marking the introductionof Victoria’s new Charter of Human Rights andResponsibilities. The Legal Service held a CLEsession at Stonnington Library during Law Weekintroducing the Charter and how it may apply at agrassroots level. The session was part of a series,with speakers on tenancy and consumer rights,wills and estates and Legal Aid services.2007 National Youth AffairsConferenceAs a continuation of her work last year, Vandagave a talk and participated in a plenary sessionat the 2007 National Youth Affairs conference inMelbourne. The paper and plenary session were onthe subject of young people, public space and thelaw. The talk was aimed at young people under 25and was very well attended, with a lively questionand answer session ensuing during the hour.Legal Policy & Law ReformPolicy development and law reform activities areintegral for the Legal Service in striving towards itsvision that ‘all members of our local community willhave access to a demystified and just legal system’.The Legal Service is committed to undertaking legalpolicy development and law reform activities andrecognises that this complements the caseworkundertaken by the Service.The Legal Service recognises that legal policy andlaw reform activities may be pro-active, initiated bythe Service, or reactive in response to legislativereviews by government or other law reform bodies.Law reform activities may be short-term, such asresponding to a one-off call for submissions, ormay involve long term campaigns. The Federationof Community Legal Centres coordinates CLCsto lobby for social justice and human rights.A report released in May titled ‘Making the LegalSystem more responsive to Community: A Reporton the Impact of Victorian Community LegalCentre Law Reform Initiatives’ found that CLCsAnthea Teakle on the go!The Thurs night bustleAnnual Report 2006 – 2007 19

Kon TringasThurs night volunteerPeter Gilmour,Thurs night volunteer & Suzy Foxhave had their recommendations adopted on aconsistent basis by Parliamentary, statutory andother inquiries at national and state level and bychanged practices in industry.Liz Curran, a lecturer in law at La Trobe University,commented on the report:‘CLCs are ideally placed to comment on the lawand its impact on the ground… [they] are placedin an ideal position to inform government aboutlaws that are problematic, unfair, costly, inefficientor unjust.’This year the Legal Service has contributed to thefollowing law reform inquiries:Graffiti Prevention ExposureDraft BillThe Graffiti Prevention Exposure Draft Bill anddiscussion paper were released by the Departmentof Justice in January with a call for submissions.The Legal Service made a brief submission outliningconcerns about the Bill and supporting morethorough submissions made by Youthlaw and theFederation. We argued that the new offences wereunnecessary and expressed concern about thereversal of the burden of proof; expanded searchand seizure powers for police and the legislation’sdiscriminatory impact on the young.Proposal to Expand theInfringements SchemeThe Department of Justice is looking atdecriminalising a range of summary offences,including obscene language, offensive behaviour,careless driving and shoplifting. Police wouldhave the option of issuing an infringement noticefor those offences, instead of a charge andsummons. Payment of the fine would expiate theoffence without a criminal record.The Service prepared a response to the Federationon the issue, which contributed to their overallsubmission to the Department of Justice.The advantage of the proposed schemefor our clients is that it allows them to avoidaccumulating lengthy criminal records for publicorder offences. It also provides the opportunity ofhaving the penalties revoked under the ‘specialcircumstances’ guidelines for mental illness, drugaddiction and homelessness.Our submission broadly supported the proposals,but expressed concerns about the likelihood ofnet widening, the shift of judicial discretion tothe police and the inadequacy of the existinginfringements system for CLC clients.Civil Justice ReviewThe Federation of Community Legal Centreshas formed a Civil Law Reform Task Group torespond to the inquiry into civil justice currentlybeing undertaken by the Victorian Law ReformCommission. The Service convenes the Groupand has contributed to submissions outlining thebarriers to civil justice faced by disadvantagedgroups in the community. Key recommendationsinclude the need for court-based assistance forunrepresented litigants, the need for court-basedinterpreters for civil matters, the re-instatement ofLegal Aid assistance for civil disputes, cappingand certainty of cost awards and the introductionof a compulsory third party insurance scheme.Local Community NetworksThis year the Legal Service has continued toparticipate in the following networks:• Port Phillip Drugs Round Table• Stonnington COmmunity Drug IssuesNetwork Group (CODING)• Local youth networksFederation of CLCs WorkingGroupsThis year the Legal Service has continued toparticipate in working groups addressing thefollowing issues:• Violence Against Women & Children• Community Legal Education (CLEWs)• Police Issues• Civil Law Reform• Access to Interpreters• Infringements20 Annual Report 2006 – 2007

Drug Outreach LawyerThe drug outreach lawyer position has undergonesome changes over the past year, with AnnJorgenson and Peter Lunt leaving last year, andthe position moving from a job-share position tofull-time. Ann and Peter deserve a big thank youfor their hard work and dedication to their clientsduring their time here.The drug outreach lawyer deals with a wide rangeof matters, but by far the most common are crime,fines and family. There seem to have been fewerVOCAT claims coming through this year, and thiscould reflect the growing number of communityagencies which now feel more confident aboutdealing with VOCAT matters on behalf of theirclients.Outreaches still generate the majority of clientcontacts for the drug outreach lawyer, but anincreasing number of clients are being referredby different community agencies. This is probablypartly a result of the position becoming full-timeagain. It is easier for workers in communityagencies to become familiar with a full-time lawyer,and full-time hours also allow the lawyer to fit inmeetings at which they can meet representativesfrom local agencies.It is noted that the numbers of clients seen by theservice appear to be down on last years. This isbecause one-off advices have not been recorded.In fact on-going casework is up on last year.The problem with advices not being noted hasbeen rectified and the numbers next year shouldreflect this.Clients who access the drug outreach lawyerservice are problematic. Their matters frequentlytake up more time and energy than other types ofclient who might access the general legal service.The drug outreach lawyer spends a lot of timeencouraging people to attend court and chasingthem up when they do not, obtaining reports thathigher functioning clients could probably organisefor themselves, and talking to clients who areconfused and muddled.A change of focus in the service has beenincreased court representation by the drugoutreach lawyer. This was not a deliberate policychange, but rather came about as it becameobvious that it is often easier to get clients intocourt when they are assured that the lawyer whowill greet them in the court foyer is a familiar,friendly face. The drug outreach lawyer appears inadjournments and simple pleas. Providing a legalaid grant can be obtained, the drug outreachlawyer briefs a barrister in matters that are to becontested or in which there is a possibility that theplea could result in a serious sentencing outcome.We have been fortunate to have access to verygood, caring and experienced barristers who areprepared to appear for legal aid fees.The drug outreach lawyer continues to attendthe loiter court on the first Tuesday afternoon ofevery month. Laini Liberman, who was previouslyemployed as the drug outreach lawyer, alsoattends as a volunteer lawyer, for which we aremost grateful. Both Laini and the drug outreachlawyer have ongoing clients whom they representin court, and also have new clients referred tothem on the day.We have also been fortunate to have a volunteersolicitor come on-board to help with outreach atthe Sacred Heart Women’s House on Thursdays.Marita Ham is an experienced civil law solicitorwho is currently on maternity leave and whoseoffer to come and help at the Women’s Housewas enthusiastically received. The Women’sHouse is one of our busiest outreaches and it isof great value to have another lawyer to help dealwith clients in that setting.Overall the drug outreach lawyer program hasgone from strength to strength over the past year.This is evidenced by the number of clients comingthrough, and the growing number of agencieswhich are contacting us either with client referralsor with requests to provide information or comeand talk to staff. Recent legislative changes inareas such as benefit provision and guardianshiporders for children are already impacting on ourclient group, and are likely to do so far more inthe coming year. There is probably little doubt thatthe drug outreach lawyer program can expect farmore referrals and far more complex problems inthe year to come.The drug outreach lawyer would like to thankher fellow legal service workers for their supportover the past year. In particular she would like tothank the many volunteers whose help has beenindispensable and without whom her paperworkwould be in a state of disarray too dismal tocontemplate!A changeof focus inthe servicehas beenincreased courtrepresentationby the drugoutreachlawyerVanda HamiltonSKLS Drug Outreach lawyerAnnual Report 2006 – 2007 21

Case studiesCASE STUDY AAnn Jorgenson started a VOCAT claim for a client,M. M did not want to testify against her attackers,and VOCAT had to consider not granting herapplication, as applications cannot be granted ifthe victim does not co-operate with prosecution.In discussion with M it turned out that she wasfearful of going to court as a witness and havingto face her attackers again. The drug outreachlawyer and a community worker liaised with theprosecutor and victim and she agreed to be awitness.The VOCAT hearing was held some months afterthis. Our client was awarded all the items appliedfor in her statement of claim to VOCAT. M toldthe drug outreach lawyer that the best thing thatcame out of the hearing for her was that she feltthat she had been treated with dignity and hadbeen believed. This helped her to go ahead withbeing a witness in the subsequent trial of herattacker, who was convicted and is waiting onsentencing.This case illustrates that the drug outreach lawyeris often called on to provide a level of supportwhich is much higher than might otherwise beexpected by the initial nature of the matter. Inaddition to the organisation of meetings etc asdetailed above, the drug outreach lawyer had tobe in constant contact with M (who frequentlyignored or avoided phone calls) in order toencourage her to attend court and meetings.CASE STUDY BK was referred to the drug outreach lawyer bya drug and alcohol counsellor from Inner SouthCommunity Health Service. K had severaloutstanding charges from 2005 to 2006 forwhich she had failed to appear several times.K proved very difficult to get into court. Twicethe drug outreach lawyer turned up to court,only to find that K had not attended. After boththese non-attendances there were massiveproblems with getting the subsequent benchwarrants issued, and the drug outreach lawyerspent hours on the phone trying to co-ordinatethe execution of the warrants. It has to be saidthat the problems were not all of K’s making– it seemed that some of the informants wereless than organized with their paperwork.Unfortunately K was ultimately always blamedwhen there were problems with warrants, asituation which is still ongoing and causingmuch frustration for the drug outreach lawyer.The drug outreach lawyer twice had to interveneto stop K being remanded when she attendedthe police station to have warrants executed.Various other appointments were missed and thedrug outreach lawyer had to spend some timeorganizing K to attend important appointments.Once again, this case illustrates the complexity ofmatters which may seem simple on the surface,and the fact that many hours often have to bespent chasing up paperwork and appointmentsthat higher functioning clients would be able todeal with for themselves.22 Annual Report 2006 – 2007

StatisticsAdvice & Casework StatisticsStatistical information relating to all client advice and casework activities undertaken by the legalstaff and volunteers of the service is collected from clients at a Centre level and then entered intoCLSIS (Community Legal Services Information System) - a national database used by the majorityof Community Legal Centres. CLSIS is maintained by the Attorney General’s Department howeverto ensure client confidentiality, all our client’s personal details remain at our Centre and are nottransmitted to the consolidated database.Centre Statistic excluding the DOL ProgramThe following is the CMR1.1 Centre Activity Summary Reported generated from CLSIS database.Centre excluding DOLCentre Activity Summary for the period1/7/2006 - 30/6/2007Please note: the following data was taken from the CLSIS data baseClientsTotal Number of Clients 1295New Clients 765Repeat Clients 226Existing Clients 304ActivitiesTotal Advice Activities 802CasesTotal cases open during period (open & new) 676Open at period start 310New (opened in period) 366Still open at period end (ongoing) 297Total cases closed during period 379Annual Report 2006 – 2007 23

50-64yrs20%65yrs&over11%Clients by AgeNot Stated3%0-18yrs1%18-34yrs28%Male49%50-64yrs20%Clients by by Gender Age65yrs&over11%Not Stated3%0-18yrs1%18-34yrs28%Female51%Percentage 35-39yrs of Clients by Age Group, Gender,37%Income & Type of Law July 06 - June 0735-39yrsMale49% 50-64yrs20%Clients by AgeClients by AgeClients by Gender65yrs&over11%Not Stated3%0-18yrs1%18-34yrs28%Male49%37%Clients by Income ScaleClients by GenderMedium20%High1%Clients by GenderNot Stated10%Female51%Low69%Female51%Male49%35-39yrs37%Clients Clients by Income Scale ScaleMedium20%High1%Clients by GenderNot Stated10%Clients by Type of LawDOL Clients Clients by Income by Type Scale of LawMediumCriminal 20%40%High1%Family12%Not Stated10%Low69%Female51%Low69%Civil48%Drug Outreach Program SatisticsClients by Income ScaleThe following DOL is Clients the CMR1.1 by Type Centre of LawDOL Clients by Type of LawActivity Summary Reported generated from CLSIS database.Medium20%High1%Family12%Not Stated10%Drug Outreach ProgramCriminalCriminal40%Centre 40% Activity Summary for the period1/7/2006 - 30/6/2007Please note: the following data was taken from the CLSIS database.Family12%ClientsTotal Number of Clients 278New Clients 114Repeat Clients DOL Clients by Type of Law25Existing Clients 139Activities 40%Total Advice Activities 30CasesCriminalLow69%Family12%Civil48%CivilTotal cases open during period (open & 48% new) 281Open at period start 157New (opened in period) 124Still open at period end (ongoing) 159Total cases closed during period 122Civil48%24 Annual Report 2006 – 2007

DOL Clients by Age65yrs&over50-64yrs 1%9%Not stated3%0-18yrs1%DOL Clients by AgeDOL Clients by Gender65yrs&over50-64yrs 1%9%Not stated3%0-18yrs1%Female49%35-39yrs37%18-34yrs49%35-39yrsPercentage of Clients by Age Group, Gender,37% 51%Income & Type of Law July 06 - June 07Male18-34yrs49%DOL Clients by AgeDOL Clients by AgeDOL Clients by Gender65yrs&over50-64yrs 1%9%Not stated3%0-18yrs1%Female49%DOL Clients by by Income Gender ScaleMedium2%High0%Not StatedDOL Clients by 2% GenderFemale49%Male35-39yrs 51%37%18-34yrs49%Male51%Low96%DOL DOL Clients by by Income ScaleMedium2%High0%Not Stated2%DOL Clients by GenderDOL DOL Clients by by Type of LawDOL Clients by Income ScaleCriminal40%Medium2%High0%Family12%Not Stated2%Female49%Male51%Low96%Low96%Civil48%DOL Clients by Type of LawDOL Clients by Income ScaleFamilyTotal Centre Statistics (including DOL)DOL Clients by Type of LawHigh 12%FamilyCriminal Medium 0%Top 10 Problem types - Not Civil, Stated12%40% 2%Criminal and Family matters for the period 1/7/2006 - 30/6/20072%Criminal40%24.6Low96%19.4Top 10 Problem Types - CriminalCivil48%15.612.69.6Civil48%Criminal40%DOL Clients by Type of LawRoad Traffic & MV OffencesTheft & related offencesFamily12%Acts intended to cause injuryOther & misc. criminalOffences-justice procedureCivil48%Property damage4.9Unlawful entry intent to burg.Deception & related offences3.3 2.7 2.5 2.2 2.6Dangerous/neg. actsIllicit drug offences minorOther problem types22.1Top 10 Problem Types - CivilAnnual Report 2006 – 2007 2538.1

Road Traffic & MV OffenTheft & related offeActs intended to cause inOther & misc. crimOffences-justice proceProperty daUnlawful entry intent toDeception & related offeDangerous/neg.Illicit drug offences mOther problemTop 10 Problem Types - Civil38.122.122.1FinesDebt owed by clientFinesDebt owed by client7.8 7.27.8 7.2MV property damageMV property damageWills/ProbateTop 10 Problem Types - CivilWills/Probate4 4 3.9 3.7 3.3 3 2.94 4 3.9 3.7 3.3 3 2.9Other civilCivil violence/restraining ordersOther civilCivil violence/restraining ordersInjuries compensationDebt owed to clientInjuries compensationDebt owed to clientNeighbourhood disputeBody CorporateNeighbourhood disputeBody Corporate38.1Other problem typesOther problem types22.2Top 10 Problem Types - Family14.411.113.222.27.8 7.65.7 5.5 5.4Top 10 Problem Types - Family43.1Child contact14.411.17.8 7.6Information & Referral StatisticsChild contactDivorceDivorceProperty in MarriageFamily /domestic violence orderProperty in Marriage5.7 5.5 5.4A number of our clients are assisted through the provision of information and referral during the day.When clients initially contact the service, whether in person or by telephone, an assessment is made asto whether their problem is actually a legal one and also if our service is the most appropriate organisationto assist them.Family /domestic violence orderChild residencyChild residencyProperty de factoProperty de factoChild support otherChild support otherFamily law otherFamily law otherSeparationAll staff and volunteers within the Community Centre are trained in making appropriate legal serviceappointments and providing basic referral information. Complicated matters requiring further clarification,request for urgent legal telephone advice and request for follow up on existing matters are referred tolegal service staff.The statistical data on the provision of information and referral is collected on the Port Phillip CommunityGroup database and is not incorporated at this stage into CLSIS. The data gathered is quite basic but doesprovide a good indication of the number of people who are assisted in the provision of legal information andreferral. The long term aim of both organisations is to engage an IT consultant to develop a more advanceddatabase that has the capacity to gather data that meets both organisations statistical requirements.Despite the best efforts of staff and volunteers to record PPCG and Legal Service data accurately,responding to client needs at times must be given priority to gathering data and therefore the statisticaldata that is collected could be under reported by at least 20%.4Separation3.1Taking child overseasTaking child overseas13.2Other problem typesOther problem types26 Annual Report 2006 – 2007

Director’s Declaration27

28Auditor’s Report

Statement of Cash Flows for theyear ended 30 June 2007St Kilda Legal Service Co-op LtdConsolidated Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2007CURRENT ASSETS2,007 2,007 2,007 2,007 2,007 2,007 2006DrugCLCCommitted BuildingOutreach DV NetworkTotal TotalRecurrentFunds FundVLA$ $ $ $ $ $ $Cash on Hand 486.40 486.40 185.80Cash at bank 5,800.12 5,800.12 5,488.41CBA investments 91,850.00 17,023.56 8,744.91 7,715.57 27,665.96 153,000.00 133,000.00Macaulay Community Credit Co-op 6,637.89 6,637.89 1,920.56Accrued Income 2,331.98 2,331.98 1,748.01Accounts ReceivableTOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 107,106.39 17,023.56 8,744.91 7,715.57 27,665.96 168,256.39 142,342.78NON-CURRENT ASSETSFixed AssetsComputer Equipment 12,168.00 2,690.91 1,322.00 16,180.91 23,427.32Office Furniture & Equipment 27,308.16 369.00 27,677.16 28,003.81Less Accumulated Depreciation 26,696.16 2,420.91 465.00 29,582.07 39,204.13TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 12,780.00 639.00 857.00 14,276.00 12,227.00TOTAL ASSETS 119,886.39 17,662.56 8,744.91 8,572.57 27,665.96 182,532.39 154,569.78CURRENT LIABILITIESCreditorsSundry Creditors 20,719.19 2,741.94 23,461.13 25,007.24Employee EntitlementsAnnual Leave 35,218.09 3,573.61 38,791.70 17,661.76Long Service LeaveTOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 55,937.28 6,315.55 62,252.83 42,669.00NON-CURRENT LIABILITIESEmployee EntitlementsLong Service Leave 25,461.00 25,461.00 20,622.80TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 25,461.00 25,461.00 20,622.80TOTAL LIABILITIES 81,398.28 6,315.55 87,713.83 63,291.80NET ASSETS 38,488.11 11,347.01 8,744.91 8,572.57 27,665.96 94,818.56 91,277.98ACCUMULATED FUNDSRetained Funds at Beginning of Year 44,718.50 5,335.47 8,744.91 4,813.14 27,665.96 91,277.98 84,439.48Transfer between funds -2,807.00 2,807.00Surplus/(deficit) for Year 9,979.60 7,316.15 949.63 18,245.38 6,838.50Prior year adjustment (see note) -13,402.99 -1,301.81 -14,704.80RETAINED FUNDS FOR THE YEAR 38,488.11 11,349.81 8,744.91 8,569.77 27,665.96 94,818.56 91,277.9829

St Kilda Legal Service Co-op Ltd.Cash flows from Operating ActivitiesStatement of Cash Flows for the year ended 30 June 2007DrugCLCDV CommittedOutreachRecurrentNetwork FundsVLABuildingFundTotalTotal2006/2007 2006/2007 2006/2007 2006/2007 2006/2007 2006/2007 2005/2006Notes $ $ $ $ $ $Receipts from Government Grants - recurrent 205,238.56 74,822.80 280,061.36 266,545.96Receipts from Government Grants - non-recurrent 8,618.00 8,618.00Receipts from Other Sources 2,409.09 9,537.45 11,946.54 8,443.37Interest received 8,492.30 8,492.30 7,194.56Payments to suppliers and employees -202,451.40 -63,638.54 -8,322.82 -274,412.76 -269,891.47Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities 2. 22,306.55 11,184.26 1,214.63 34,705.44 12,292.42Cash flows from Investment ActivitiesProceeds from sale of plant and equipmentPayments for purchase of plant and equipment -9,375.80 -9,375.80 -1,852.72Net cash provided by/(used in) investment activities -9,375.80 -9,375.80 -1,852.72Cash flows from Financing ActivitiesProceeds from BorrowingsRepayment of BorrowingsNet cash provided by/(used in) financing activitiesStatement of Cash Flows for the year ended 30 June 2007Net Increase/(Decrease) in Cash Held 12,930.75 11,184.26 1,214.63 25,329.64 10,439.70Cash at the Beginning of the Reporting Period 91,843.66 5,842.10 8,744.91 6,498.14 27,665.96 140,594.77 130,155.07Cash at the End of the Reporting Period 1. 104,774.41 17,026.36 8,744.91 7,712.77 27,665.96 165,924.41 140,594.77Notes to the Statement of Cash Flows1. Reconciliation of CashCash on Hand 486.40 486.40 185.80Cash at Bank 12,438.01 12,438.01 7,408.97Other (specify): Cash Deposit Account 91,850.00 17,023.56 8,744.91 7,715.57 27,665.96 153,000.00 133,000.00104,774.41 17,023.56 8,744.91 7,715.57 27,665.96 165,924.41 140,594.772.Reconciliation of Net Cash Used in Operating Activities toOperating ResultOperating Result 9,979.60 7,316.15 949.63 18,245.38 6,838.50Depreciation 6,490.81 571.00 265.00 7,326.81 7,912.27Increase/(Decrease) in Provisions 9,982.60 1,280.74 11,263.34 -7,979.79(Increase)/Decrease in Current Receivables -583.97 -583.97 -4.74Increase/(Decrease) in Creditors -3,562.48 2,016.37 -1,546.11 5,526.18Other (specify):Net Cash provided by/(used in) Operating Activities 22,306.56 11,184.26 1,214.63 34,705.45 12,292.423. Tax StatusThe activities of the entity are exempt from taxation.St Kilda Legal Service Co-op Ltd.Consolidated Statement of Income & Expenditure for the Year ended 30 June 2007Consolidated Statement of Income & Expenditure for the Year ended 30 June 2007CLCRecurrentDrugOutreachVLADV NetworkCommittedFundsBuildingFund2006/2007 2006/2007 2006/2007 2006/2007 2006/2007 2006/2007 2005/2006$ $ $ $ $ $ $IncomeCommonwealth & State Grants 205,238.56 74,822.80 280,061.36 266,545.96Capital grants 8,618.00 8,618.00Other grants 7,585.45 7,585.45 6,090.91Interest 9,076.27 9,076.27 7,199.30Membership 12.00 12.00 20.00Costs Recovered & Retained 2,409.09 1,600.00 4,009.09 1,545.46Fundraising/Donations 340.00 340.00 287.00Sundry Income: 500.00Total Income 225,341.92 74,822.80 9,537.45 309,702.17 282,188.63ExpenditureSalaries 153,117.21 47,316.22 200,433.43 211,466.01Superannuation 13,544.43 4,783.26 18,327.69 17,760.63Salaries On Costs 11,986.90 2,021.25 14,008.15 -4,716.26Rent 3,705.77 1,235.23 4,941.00 4,940.98Other Premises Costs 5,166.46 1,455.39 6,621.85 6,691.40Staff Training 422.73 136.37 559.10 1,075.33Staff Recruitment 450.49 889.45 1,339.94 693.78Communications 4,677.10 1,774.87 6,451.97 6,318.39Office Overheads 5,271.26 2,634.48 7,905.74 7,919.83Insurance 1,118.51 346.08 1,464.59 1,417.21Finance, Audit & Accounting Fees 2,063.09 715.72 2,778.81 2,746.70Library, Resources & Subscriptions 6,723.15 2,556.12 9,279.27 7,816.64Travel 624.42 852.89 1,477.31 1,616.75Programming and Planning 150.00 2,215.00 2,365.00 129.82Depreciation 6,490.80 571.00 265.00 7,326.80 7,912.27Sundry expenses 68.32 6,107.82 6,176.14 1,560.65Total Expenditure 215,362.32 67,506.65 8,587.82 291,456.79 275,350.13Surplus/ (Deficit) for year 9,979.60 7,316.15 949.63 18,245.38 6,838.50Retained Funds 1 July 2006 41,911.50 5,335.47 8,744.91 7,620.14 27,665.96 91,277.98 84,439.48Surplus/ (Deficit) for year 9,979.60 7,316.15 949.63 18,245.38 6,838.50Prior year adjustment (see note) -13,402.99 -1,301.81 -14,704.80Retained Funds 30 June 2007 38,488.11 11,349.81 8,744.91 8,569.77 27,665.96 94,818.56 91,277.98TotalTotal

Notes to and forming part of the Financial StatementsFor the Year ended 30th June 2007___Adoption of Australian Equivalents to International Financial Reporting StandardsST. KILDA LEGAL SERVICE CO-OP. LTD. has prepared and managed the transition to AustralianEquivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards (AIFRS) effective for the financial yearscommencing 1 July 2005. The adoption of AIFRS is reflected in the financial statements for the yearended 30 June 2007.The Committee along with the auditors have assessed the significance of the expected changes andhave prepared for their implementation. The impact of the alternative treatment and elections underAASB 1: First Time Adoption of Australian Equivalents to International Financial ReportingStandards has been considered where applicable.The committee members are of the opinion that the key material differences in ST. KILDA LEGALSERVICE CO-OP. LTD.’s accounting policies on conversion to AIFRS and the financial effect ofthese differences where known are as follows. Users of the financial statements should note however,that the amounts disclosed could change if there are any amendments by standard setters to thecurrent AIFRS, or interpretation of the AIFRS requirements changes due to the continuing work ofthe committee.Impairment of AssetsUnder AASB 136: Impairment of Assets, the recoverable amount of an asset isdetermined as the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In determiningvalue in use, projected future cash flows are discounted using a risk adjusted pre-taxdiscount rate and impairment is assessed for the individual asset or at the “cashgenerating unit ” level. A “cash generating unit ” is determined as the smallest group ofassets that generates cash flows, which are largely independent of the cash flows fromother assets or groups of assets. The current policy is to determine the recoverableamount of an asset on the basis of undiscounted net cash flows that will be received fromthe asset’s used and subsequent disposal. It is likely that this change in accounting policywill lead to impairments being recognized more often.ST. KILDA LEGAL SERVICE CO-OP. LTD. has reassessed its impairment testing policya tested all assets for impairment at 1 July 2005. The impact of the change is Nil.Statement of Accounting PoliciesThe financial statements of the ST. KILDA LEGAL SERVICE CO-OP. LTD. have been prepared onan accrual basis and are based on historical cost concepts.DepreciationDepreciation has been applied at a rate that writes off the asset over its useful life.Provision for Annual LeaveDue to a misunderstanding of the source data the calculation of the provision of Annual Leave wasunderstated at 30 June 2006. As a result retained funds have been adjusted by $14,704.80.

St Kilda Legal Service Co-Op Ltd ABN 83519 420 198 St Kilda Community Centre, 161 Chapel St, St kilda 3182T: [03] 9534 0777 F: [03] 9525 5704 e: st_kilda_vic@clc.net.au www.communitylaw.org.au/stkildaDonations over $2 are tax deductible