Congratulations Marrickville Legal Centre [MLC] on achieving your 45th anniversary, providing critical legal services and highly influential advocacy for so many in our community. Beginning in 1979 from a small, committed group of law students with a vision for better access to justice, MLC has grown significantly now reaching a catchment of over 1.5 million people. Originally occupying a small room at Marrickville Town Hall, MLC set out to provide free legal assistance to individuals in the local area, particularly the growing migrant community. Today MLC occupies dedicated office space and is a leading organisation in the community legal sector, delivering innovative programs and services including an AI chatbot to improve service delivery and assist in supporting more clients. MCL is hosting an exclusive Gala Dinner on 31 October to celebrate this significant milestone, back where it all started over 4 decades ago, at Marrickville Town Hall. Founders, supporters, alumni and partners of MLC will come together for an evening of celebration, reflection and connection. Congratulations to CEO Vasili Maroulis and the entire team at MLC on reaching this milestone and I look forward to a bright future!