Chris Gabelish and colleagues at the Geraldton Community Legal Centre (GCLC) are producing wonderful results for tenants in their area, thanks, in part to the assistance provided by TAS.
In early 1998 GCLC sent their paralegal/CLE worker Chris Gabelish to Perth to undertake a one day training session with TAS. To put his learning into action Chris spent a couple of days working with the TAS Tenant Advocate as part of the TAS Paralegal Placement Program.
Chris then assisted TAS in organising three tenancy training sessions in Geraldton. The session were well attended and later in the year Chris organised a meeting of concerned people regarding tenancy law reform and policy issues.
During 1998 TAS kept in regular contact with GCLC and staff continued to come to Perth for further training. It wasn't long before we started getting feedback regarding some of the cases GCLC were handling. In fact a number of these cases have had excellent results and have provided TAS with some tips on dealing with certain matters.
GCLC Coordinator Zane D'Mello writes: "As you may be aware, the call for tenancy information and assistance up this way has spiraled since we sent Chris Gabelish to you earlier this year. Although we haven't advertised that we do tenancy, as there are no funds yet, the increase is in the order of 75 cases for the year. The training has been vital in filling a service gap in this region".
In February 1997 GCLC are sending two of their workers to participate in TAS Tenancy Law Training No.3 "Advocacy in Small Disputes Division". Chris is also returning to Perth for this session. With his wealth of recent court experience Chris will be invaluable in assisting the TAS CLE worker to run this session.
The collaborative relationship between TAS and GCLC continues to generate great results for tenants.
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