About PilchConnect
PilchConnect is a legal service set up by PILCH (a specialist community legal centre) to provide legal help to Victorian, not-for-profit community organisations. We have a range of legal services, including our legal information webportal, a low-cost legal seminar series for not-for-profits and are able to refer eligible organisations for pro bono (free) legal assistance. We also do law reform and advocacy work.
Why was PilchConnect started?
Not-for-profit community organisations play a vital role in Victoria's community. Many community organisations are set up to help disadvantaged Victorians or provide other services that are in the public interest; other organisations bring people in the community together to pursue a common interest or cause. The not-for-profit sector also makes a significant contribution to Victoria's economy.
PilchConnect is itself a not-for-profit community organisation! We understand that many community organisations rely heavily on volunteers, have limited resources, and want to focus their time and energy on the main objects or mission of the organisation. Many do not have the time or resources to research and work through the unique and sometimes complex legal issues that affect the not-for-profit sector. Even fewer have the resources to pay for legal advice.
In 2008, we set up PilchConnect because we recognised the need for not-for-profit community organisations to have access to free and low cost legal information and assistance. For more information, please read the research report that recommended the establishment of the PilchConnect service on our Reports, Papers and Articles page.
Who are the staff at PilchConnect?
PilchConnect staff members:
- Liz Morgan: Manager/Principal Lawyer (4 days per week)
- Sue Woodward: Senior Lawyer (3 days per week)
- Nathan MacDonald: Lawyer (full time)
- Lorrelle Mandaru : Lawyer (3 days per week)
- Belinda La Rocca: Administrator (2 days per week)
- Tarni Perkal: Administrator (1 day per week)
We operate out of PILCH, which has a fantastic group of secondees helping out and volunteer, final year law students who answer initial phone inquires.
Who supports PilchConnect?
The establishment of the PilchConnect webportal has been generously funded by the Victorian Law Foundation. PilchConnect is funded with assistance from the William Buckland Foundation, National Australia Bank, and the Legal Services Board of Victoria.
PilchConnect would not be able to assist not-for-profit community organisations without the pro bono (free) assistance we receive from PILCH members (private law firms, corporate legal departments, the Law Institute of Victoria, the Victorian Bar, universities, the community legal sector, other community organisations, and individuals).
PilchConnect also works in collaboration with the Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies at the Queensland University of Technology.
Find out more about our supporters.
How can PilchConnect help our organisation?
To find out how PilchConnect can help your Victorian community organisation - see How PilchConnect can help.
How can we contact PilchConnect?
To contact PilchConnect:
- call us on:
03 8636 4444
- or email us at:
connect@pilch.org.au
- or write to us at C/- PILCH, PO Box 16013, Collins Street West, Melbourne, Victoria 8007.