The South Gippsland Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) was opened on 6th July, 1978 following a recommendation by Dame Marie Breen, the State President of the Victorian Citizens Advice Bureaus and member of the Executive of the National Council for Women (NCW). Early in 1977 informal approaches were made to the members of NCW regarding the lack of information services in the Gippsland Region. One of these members was Tina Bons (who is still an active volunteer at the CAB) who lived in Leongatha. They worked closely together and eventually the South Gippsland Citizens Advice Bureau in Leongatha was opened.
After several years operating from temporary accommodation, in 1985 the former Woorayl Shire Council supported a move to Michael Place, Leongatha and commenced the annual funding. Since the inception of South Gippsland Shire Council in 1995 , it has funded the C.A.B. with an annual grant.
As we celebrate over 31 years of operation we think you should know:
- There have been over 200 volunteers who have touched our lives; listened to problems and found solutions or been referred to the next step; and
- at least 100,000 clients in that 31 years who have been helped in some way.
Some major achievements during those years include:
- In 2006 the CAB took over the contract for the Centrelink Agency in Leongatha
- In 2007 the CAB set up and now manages the data for the Shire’s Online Community Directory
- In 2008 the CAB operations were extended to include the provision of information to tourists by establishing a Visitor Information Centre
The CAB is an Incorporated Association managed by a committee of management who meet every month and hold an Annual General Meeting in August every year. The CAB and Visitor Information Centre is staffed by volunteers. The day to day operations are managed by a coordinator who is also a volunteer.
