Thriving under our regional model refresh

Our regional offices provide a significant number of services to our priority clients, and play a crucial role in improving access to justice for some of the most marginalised communities in Victoria. 

We have offices in Ballarat, Bairnsdale, Bendigo, Broadmeadows, Dandenong, Frankston, Geelong, Horsham, Melbourne, Mildura, Morwell, Ringwood Shepparton, Sunshine and Warrnambool.  

In light of our commitment to strengthen our regional leadership and influence, we have adopted a new regional management structure that will enable us to respond to future growth in a sustainable and supported way.  

Our Geelong Regional Manager on Wadawurrung Country, Sarah Austin, is enjoying working under the new structure which provides additional support and acknowledgement to staff, while boosting our regional influence and coordination, and ensuring we have consistent best practice management across the board. 

‘This new structure allows regional leaders and their staff to make the most of their unique knowledge and expertise, and build and improve on effective services for clients who need them most,’ said Sarah.  

Benefits of our new regional model 

Sarah has been particularly enjoying the support from the expanded structure. 

‘As a new regional manager, being able to turn to my Associate Director Lauren Galvin for guidance has been an incredible resource to me.  

‘She has been a great mentor and sounding board, and I would have been apprehensive about taking up the role if that support hadn’t been available.  

‘It has also been interesting to see stronger relationships developing between the offices in the South-West region (Geelong, Warrnambool, Horsham, Ballarat and Sunshine). And with the sharing of knowledge, resources and staff under the new regional management model, we have been able to develop into more of a regional unit, which can only benefit our clients,’ she said.  

Having previously worked as a deputy managing lawyer in our Sunshine office, Sarah is embracing the challenges of her new role in Geelong, and finds that there are similarities and differences between the roles. 

‘Obviously the similarities are that you have a dedicated team of staff who care about each other and the work they do, and that work aids some of the most vulnerable members of the Victorian community.  

‘However, I have noticed some differences as well.  

‘For example, there are significantly fewer prosecutors at Geelong compared to Melbourne, so you often get to know each other well and can develop good working relationships.  

‘Our staff, many of whom have lived in the Barwon region their whole lives, are also providing services to their own community, and we have quite a stable team of experienced practitioners who have a deep knowledge of the law and region. 

‘However, that level of stability does occasionally result in a certain level of awkwardness when you end up representing people from your childhood in court,’ said Sarah. 

Doing great work for our First Nations clients 

Sarah is particularly proud of the great work our First Nations staff have been able to deliver on behalf of the Indigenous community in the area. 

‘Our Senior Lawyer John Cattanach and Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer Belinda Foley have forged a strong relationship with the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative, and have been producing some great outcomes for local First Nations clients,’ she said.  

As for moving from the suburbs to the regions, Sarah couldn’t be happier with how the move has turned out and benefited her career.  

‘Working in the regions is a brilliant opportunity as you have a tight knit legal community where you can really get to know each other, the work is diverse and if you want to work across jurisdictions you often have that option, and you get to provide services to clients who are members of your own community.  

‘And if that’s not enough, when it comes to the Geelong office, we are a beachside town, and our office has water views!’  

More information 

Learn more about our regional offices.