History

Moonee Valley Legal Service Inc. (formerly known as Essendon Community Legal Centre) was originally established in 1985 by a group of interested residents and representatives from local organisations. For many years the Service operated solely on volunteers.

In 1988 the Essendon Legal Service joined with other unfunded Community Legal Centres to campaign for funds from Legal Aid. The campaign was successful, and since 1989 the Centre has been funded by the State and Commonwealth governments. Moonee Valley City Council have also provided assistance to the centre since its inception.

The Centre provides a generalist service, however also focuses on family, multicultural and financial counselling issues. The service benefits and empowers the community, and assists disadvantaged or disenfranchised people to be more knowledgeable about the law. This approach gives client’s confidence to be proactive in their dealings with the legal system.

The Centre is an independent, community managed, non-profit organisation run by a Board of Management that provides free legal advice and casework to residents living in the City of Moonee Valley. The centre is not Legal Aid, but we have a close relationship with Victoria Legal Aid and can assist clients in applying for Legal Aid assistance.

In September 2009 the Service formally known as the Essendon Community Legal Centre Inc. became the Moonee Valley Legal Service to reflect its target area adequately.