The main aim of Community Legal Centres is to provide access to legal advice and assistance, for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable Victorians in our community, when engaging with the law and the justice system. Central Highlands Community Legal Centre (CHCLC) continues to maintain the strategic responses necessary for a viable and successful CLC - providing up to date legal information quickly about a legal problem, more partnerships with local Agencies and strong governance from the Committee of Management. There are serious challenges for CLC's, due to imminent Federal Government funding cuts, in providing accessible free legal advice. CHCLC will continue to advocate and collaborate with relevant Parties to ensure vulnerable Victorians facing a complexity of social, financial and legal issues receive the assistance they need. "In 2015-16, Victorian Community Legal Centres saw a 19% spike in demand for free legal advice for family violence, and there was a 12% increase in the number of family violence cases opened." (Federation of Community Legal Centres, Community Law Blog, 14/10/2016). I sincerely commend the CHCLC Staff and Volunteers for their hard work and commitment. I acknowledge the time and efforts of the CHCLC Committee of Management: Vice President - Sonya McDonald Secretary - Orry Pilven Treasurer - Scott Sherritt Ordinary Members: Dianne Hadden Andrew Turner Cheryl Bromfield Geoff Potts Caroline Wilden Gillian Canavan - Chairperson CHCLC COM