The Public Interest Law Clearing Houses (PILCH) of NSW and Victoria will amalgamate to become one integrated pro bono organisation serving both states by July 2013. “We believe the integration will enable us to work more effectively within the changing pro bono landscape,” said PILCH Victoria president, Mitzi Gilligan. “This change means we can present a single entry portal for access to pro bono services in Australia’s largest states.”

The combined organisation will retain a physical presence in both states to continue the delivery of services. The combined ability to deploy pro bono resources in the public interest across two states will allow increased flexibility to respond and increased opportunity for members.

PILCH NSW president, Gordon Renouf, said the move to integrate was a logical step for the two organisations: “The new thinking and sharing of ideas across the new organisation and with our members and stakeholders will allow an exciting evolution to begin,” he said. “Our members in both states, including the many we have in common, are very enthusiastic about this change. Our aim is to do what we do, but better. We will be working on exactly how that happens in the coming months.”

The agreement means the organisations will work to full integration by 1 July 2013, with Victorian executive director Fiona McLeay appointed as transitional executive director of the new organisation. Gilligan and Renouf have made themselves available to be appointed as chair and deputy chair by the new board when it commences on 1 July. A set of transitional arrangements will now roll out as part of the move to the new organisation, which will retain the name PILCH.

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