EastLink gives $100,000 to Eastern Community Legal Centre

To assist local people experiencing disadvantage during these difficult times, EastLink has donated $100,000 to Eastern Community Legal Centre. This brings EastLink’s total for donations during 2021 to $200,000.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the Victorian economy, increasing unemployment and underemployment, and many businesses have closed.

EastLink corporate affairs manager Doug Spencer-Roy said, “EastLink recognises that some local people living in the EastLink corridor have been directly affected and are experiencing financial hardship, mental health issues and family violence.”

Doug Spencer-Roy said, “To assist local people experiencing disadvantage during these difficult times, EastLink has donated $100,000 to Eastern Community Legal Centre.”

Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) is an independent not-for-profit provider of free legal assistance to communities in EastLink’s northern corridor, with offices in Box Hill, Boronia and Healesville.

ECLC is a multidisciplinary legal service that works to prevent problems, progress fair outcomes and support the wellbeing and resilience of communities and community members.

Eastern Community Legal Centre CEO Michael Smith said, “Eastern Community Legal Centre is extremely pleased that EastLink has understood the challenges that our communities are facing and have chosen to support vital services for people with additional vulnerability through this time.”

“As we enter 2021, the social and economic impacts of the pandemic are continuing to greatly impact our communities. ECLC will use this support to increase our legal, advocacy and education support to priority communities. The additional services will focus on women and children experiencing family violence, older people at risk of elder abuse, people experiencing mental health issues, and culturally diverse communities."

ECLC welcomes EastLink’s initiative to provide financial assistance to community service providers to support vulnerable people during these difficult times.

EastLink has now donated a total of $200,000 to community service providers during 2021:

• January 2021: $100,000 donation to Peninsula Community Legal Centre
• February 2021: $100,000 donation to Eastern Community Legal Centre

Doug Spencer-Roy (EastLink) presents Michael Smith (ECLC) with an award to mark the $100,000 donation (photos Nicole Cleary):

About Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC)

ECLC (www.eclc.org.au) is a multidisciplinary legal service that works to prevent problems, progress fair outcomes and support the wellbeing and resilience of communities and community members in Melbourne’s East.

ECLC provides free legal assistance to people who live, work and study in Melbourne’s East. ECLC actively engages in law reform, and undertakes community development to educate and empower the community.

Since 1974, ECLC has assisted thousands of people to understand and access the legal system.

ECLC visited EastLink's tunnel complex during a maintenance closure. From left to right: Christine Cowin (ECLC Board Deputy Chairperson), Doug Spencer-Roy (EastLink), Janet Matton (ECLC Board Chairperson), Michael Smith (ECLC CEO), Donna Askew (ECLC Director of Partnerships & Community Development)   (photo Nicole Cleary):