We are delighted to announce a series of appointments to the Board of Comm Unity Plus Services Limited (commUnity+) providing continuity, succession planning and increased skills and diversity.The Board has elected Jackie Mead as Chair, Emma Hunt as Deputy Chair, and reappointed Greg Bowers as Treasurer.Jackie Mead was first appointed the commUnity+ board in 2020. Jackie is a long-time resident of Melbourne’s Inner West and has a passion for creating and supporting vibrant communities that are inclusive and compassionate at their core. She brings 15 years of experience with for-purpose organisations and a real excitement about the future of commUnity+ and what it can deliver for people in Melbourne’s west.Emma Hunt also joined the commUnity+ board in 2020. Her career is based on the belief that a strong legal assistance sector is a way of ensuring vulnerable Victorians receive the advice and help they need when engaging with the law and the justice system, in turn strengthening communities and people’s agency.Greg Bowers continues his role as Treasurer providing his extensive experience in financial and operational management and remains passionate about opportunities that arise through adult and community education.After six years as Director including three years as Chair, Susanne Legena stepped down as Chair. Nella Buccheri has also decided to step down as Deputy Chair.Susanne’s leadership, care and dedication to commUnity+ and the communities it serves has been invaluable, with the organisation strengthening in its governance, operations and financial position over the past three years through a tumultuous COVID-19 impacted period.commUnity+ also thanks Nella for her commitment to the West through commUnity+ and ongoing commitment to the communities in the West. We are delighted that Susanne and Nella will continue on as commUnity+ Directors.We also welcome the appointment of three new directors to the commUnity+ Board, Poonam Fernandes, Kristie Lawson and Valerie Sace. We look forward to their contributions to our community.These appointments follow the reappointment of Board Directors Nella Buccheri and Brendan Walsh at the 2022 Annual General Meeting held last month and puts us in a great position to not just better represent the community we serve but it delivers the full skillset needed on a vibrant Board.We are grateful to have the guidance, and expertise of our Directors and we continue to strengthen and expand our suite of programs to support people experiencing disadvantage and hardship within communities in the West.

As we approached the final day of Reconciliation Week, we as an organisation reflected on the significance of this week and the importance of recognising Reconciliation in all its forms, at all times of the year.The Board and Staff of commUnity+ have commenced this commitment by signing their names to the following statement, which will then be used as a guide to create our Reconciliation Action Plan.We encourage everyone to do your own reflection on Reconciliation and how you can also Be Brave and Make Change

commUnity+ is back up-and-running after a short break over the holiday season.

The years 2020-21 will be remembered for the greatest challenge our world has faced in a lifetime. No nation, community or individual has been spared from the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The impact on people already experiencing hardship or disadvantage was exacerbated, including the communities in the West and other regions across Melbourne that commUnity+ serves and supports.

Check out our new Neighbourhood House Term 4 timetable.

The commUnity+ Brimbank Melton Community Legal Centre was featured in the Brimbank and North West Star Weekly this week, where our Tenancy and Generalist Lead Lawyer was interviewed on rental stress in our community.

Due to the Victorian Government’s 5-day lockdown, our offices will be closed until further notice. Our programs have set in place certain operational functions that will allow us to work remotely and still continue our services.

We would like to announce and welcome to commUnity+ our newly appointed Interim CEO, Tracey Gaudry

With the recent easing of Victoria's restrictions, we're now able to operate in our buildings in a small capacity. This is to ensure we keep our community and staff safe, our arrangements will be: