ABOUT US

Acknowledgement of country

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We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we work and provide services to communities of the Far West – the Wilyakali people of the Barkindji Nation.

We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge that we are on land that was stolen, and sovereignty never ceded.

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About our organisation

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Far West Community Legal Centre Ltd (FWCLC) has been operating since July 2000. ​We serve communities of the Far West and provide a range of services to people most in need including free legal advice and representation, and support services.

​ We are funded by federal and state governments to provide services within four programs.  Our management structure includes a Board of Management, an executive management team and managers for each of our funded programs.  We provide the following services to our communities:

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• Legal information & advice   

• Advocacy     

• Representation   

• Community education and engagement

• Case management

• Outreach  

• Home and court support     

• Counselling and referral

• Law Reform

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Where the FWCLC cannot assist, we will refer clients to one of our pro-bono partners or to other services that can meet their needs.

 

Our values

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Across our organisation, we at the Far West Community Legal Centre observe the following values which guide us in all aspects of our work:

• We are guided by our strong focus on the needs and interests of our clients.

• We trust our co-workers and work together to deliver high standards of service to our clients.

• We treat our colleagues and our clients with respect.

• We pursue collaborative approaches to problem-solving and service improvement.

• We fulfil our roles with professionalism, honesty and integrity.

• We celebrate diversity in our workplace and our communities.

• We apply cultural awareness and sensitivity in all aspects of our work.

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Our funded programs

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Far West Community Legal Centre provides a range of free legal services to Far West communities. In addition to its own operations, the FWCLC receives annual funding from a range of federal and state agencies to operate three other programs.

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FWCLC is responsible for the management, oversight and coordination of all programs as follows:

 

Far West Community Legal Centre provides free legal services to Far West communities including representation and advice, advocacy, referrals, community education, outreach and contribution to law reform processes.

Funded by: Legal Aid Community Legal Service Delivery Program NSW (CLC Program).

 

 Warra Warra Legal Service provides a range of legal and support services to Aboriginal communities of the Far West. These include legal information and advice, advocacy, representation, community education and development, referrals, family support and contribution to law reform processes.

Funded by: National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA)

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The Staying Home Leaving Violence program works to prevent homelessness by partnering with the NSW Police to remove the perpetrator from the family home so that women and children can maintain a safe home environment. We operate this service in Broken Hill and Wentworth.

Funded by: Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ)

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 The Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service provides women and children with assistance and information about protection from family and domestic violence. The service also facilitates access to legal representation, advocacy and support women and children during court proceedings arising from incidents of family and domestic violence.

Funded by: Legal Aid NSW Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program (WDVCAP)

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Our history

The Centre was formed as a result of a Federal Government initiative that identified a need for more accessible legal services in the Far West region of New South Wales.

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A public meeting was called in 1999. An interested group of people formed an incorporated association and made a submission for funding. The submission was successful and the management committee established a community based legal service. Our Centre opened on 18 July 2000. 

 

Our catchment area

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The Far West Community Legal Centre services residents of the Far West of New South Wales.

Our office is based in Broken Hill and we regularly perform outreach to other communities in our catchment area.