Latest News - Court Network

Carmel Benjamin AM, Court Network Founder, wins the Premier's Volunteer of the Year Award

We are very proud to announce that Carmel Benjamin AM is the sole recipient of the Premier's Volunteer of the Year, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award for 2019. Carmel was awarded this, along with the Premier's Volunteer Champion Award for Leadership at Government House on Sunday 1 December. Read more here.

Court Network has won Volunteering Victoria's Excellence Award 2019

We are thrilled to announce that Court Network has won the Excellence Award, which recognises an organisation that goes beyond best practice volunteer management and meets all 8 National Standards for Volunteer Involvement. Read our story here.

Court Network celebrates 30 years in Ballarat!

Last week, we celebrated 30 years of Court Network in Ballarat. An afternoon tea was held for court staff, stakeholders and Networkers, with Carmel Benjamin AM making the address. The Ballarat Courier covered the event, and the article can be read here.

New Court Network volunteering opportunities for Court Reception Services at Specialist DFV Courts in Beenleigh and Ipswich

The core role of the service is to co-ordinate matters, contacts and services at court to ensure that court users have the opportunity to obtain advice and support before matters proceed for consideration by the Magistrate. The information desk provides a check-in point for court users and ensures all parties are referred to specialist support services and legal representatives as required.

Court Network volunteers will be providing the service. We have developed a specific training program for the volunteers, focusing on domestic and family violence. Register your interest here.

Court Network has received a Cazalys Cairns Community Fund grant

We are thrilled to be the recipient of one of the Cazalys Cairns Community Fund grants. The Community Fund is open to groups and individuals doing exceptional work in the Cairns community. The grant will allow us to implement new learning opportunities for Cairns Networkers.

Court Network's submission to the Yarra Trams Community Partnerships Program

VSU Wins Volunteering Impact Award

Court Network's Victim Support Unit has WON the 2019 Impact Volunteering Award at Volunteering Queensland's Awards! Read about the VSU program here and read more about the awards ceremony here.

Court Network's Submission to the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women's Sexual Violence Prevention Roundtable

Read the full paper here.

Supreme Court Podcast - Gertie's Law

Listen to Networker of 23 years, Kathy, discuss her time in the Supreme Court. Episode 4 - People of the Court. here.

Guide to Supporting Adult Victims of Crime (Queensland)

Our new guide to supporting adult victims of crime through the court process (in Queensland) is available here.

Strategic Plan

The focus of our Strategic Plan 2017-2021 is on: providing services where we are most needed; supporting a volunteer workforce to provide high quality services; building parnerships to expand our reach and influence; and ensuring organisational capability to deliver on our Mission.

View our Strategic Plan here.

Court Network's Submission to the Family Law Council’s Terms of Reference on Families with Complex Needs and the Intersection of the Family Law and Child Protection Systems

Read the full report here.

Court Network's Submission to the Royal Commission into Family Violence

Court Network plays an important complementary role and outreach model in the family violence support services available at the courts. More than 20 Court Network volunteers who work in the Magistrates' Courts and Family Law Courts met in May 2015 to contribute their views about how the family violence system was working for court users and the improvements that they believe are needed. These views were incorporated into the Court Network submission to the Royal Commission into Family Violence in Victoria.

Read the executive summary here.