Our History
The Illawarra Legal Centre Inc. opened its doors in Warrawong, south of Wollongong, in 1985 as a direct result of community action and support.
The Centre’s sole staff member, a part-time solicitor, was assisted by a local solicitor to develop our inaugural advice roster. This enabled us to to provide free legal advice to the local community, and in particular, to those who had little hope of accessing affordable legal help.
The ILC is now one of around 200 independent, non-profit community legal centres across Australia, all of whom are members of the Community Legal Centres Australia.
The Centre has grown substantially since 1985 but its primary focus remains on helping those living with disadvantage and marginalisation.
We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of all our workers, volunteers and pro-bono solicitors.
The Illawarra Legal Centre acknowledges the Dharawal Country and Yuin Country as the land that we work and live upon.
Our Statement
The Illawarra Legal Centre assists people to realise their legal rights. We promote social justice for all, with a particular focus on reaching those who experience social and economic disadvantage in the Illawarra and surrounding areas.
Our Aims
- Maintain services relevant to the diverse community of the Illawarra and surrounding areas.
- Provide advice, advocacy and/or referral on a full range of legal matters to the Illawarra and surrounding areas.
- Undertake policy analysis, review existing laws and to lobby in relation to law reform and legal processes which affect the rights of those in our community.
- Develop and implement community legal education programs which are both proactive, as well as responsive to community needs.