Damian Stock will oversee the legal service portfolio, encompassing Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre, Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre, and Housing Justice programs.
As the current chief executive of Inner Melbourne Community Legal, Mr Stock’s career as a lawyer and legal community leader has been delivered with commitment to improving access to justice and human rights, and he has become a respected figure in the Victorian sector.
Most recently, Mr Stock oversaw the merger between IMCL and Flemington Kensington Community Legal Centre, and was responsible for leading IMCL’s team of community lawyers and support workers to support public housing tower residents subject to the Victorian Government lockdown order in July 2020.
ARC Justice chair Andrew Chittenden said the ARC Justice board was delighted to have Mr Stock in the role.
“His experience and values will provide outstanding leadership as we continue to deliver legal and tenancy services for central and northern Victorian communities,” Mr Chittenden said.
“Damian’s vast experience integrating legal services with partner organisations, particularly in health, education, housing and homelessness, and to deliver early intervention services, will enable our organisation to have a greater impact on those who need it most.
“With considerable experience in policy development and law reform as the former chief of staff at homelessness and housing organisation Launch Housing, Damian will enable ARC Justice to seek real change, advocating for greater government support and funding.”
Mr Stock has previously practised as a lawyer, with accredited specialisation in administrative law and experience in housing rights, and was a principal lawyer at Tenants Victoria and managing lawyer of the economic and social rights program with Victoria Legal Aid.
The ARC Justice board thanked former interim chief executive Annika Kearton and ARC Justice’s previous chief executive Hayley Mansfield, who also returned as interim chief executive in 2022, while the search for a permanent person for the position was undertaken.
Mr Stock will start as chief executive in late August.
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