These are some of the people who have walked through the doors of the Marrickville Legal Centre and are now getting on with their lives, with their legal problems largely left behind.

And while their stories — ranging from battles for fair pay to challenges around housing rights — can often go unnoticed, a new exhibition is putting them squarely in the limelight.

Called Champions of Social Justice, the exhibition features portraits of seven inner west residents who have faced and overcome legal hardship with the help of Marrickville Legal Centre.

This is an opportunity to really celebrate their victories - Susi Hamilton

The centre’s fundraising and communications manager, Susi Hamilton, who is curating the exhibition, hopes the works encourage other residents to become aware of their own rights.

The exhibition also aims to raise awareness about the non-profit community legal sector which had come under the threat of Federal Government funding cuts last year.

“Each of the subjects has a unique and inspiring story, but what they all have in common is that without the support of a community legal centre they may not have got a fair deal or found it difficult to represent themselves through the legal process.

“Social justice is the theme that’s underpinning it because we know that are certain groups in society who get a raw deal and it can be very hard for them to defend their rights. This is an opportunity to really celebrate their victories.”

The exhibition, supported by Inner West Council, is part of the Sydney-wide Head On photo festival.

When and where

The exhibition is held from 9.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (except 1-2pm) until June 1 at 12-14 Seaview St, Dulwich Hill.

It features 21 works by photographers Jodie Barker, Valentina Penkova, Grant Turner and Steven Siewert.

Bridie Tanner

BRIDIE Tanner’s schedule is always busy — she presents a morning radio program, MCs a poetry night and sells bread at the Marrickville Markets.

For all her roles, she’s on the books: a lesson she learnt the hard way when she was underpaid thousands of dollars by an employer in Newtown.

It means a lot to be able to help them through it - My Le Thi

Ms Tanner, who was paid $16 an hour, $2.29 below the minimum wage, said she was fired on the spot after asking about superannuation and other entitlements. The 25 year old, who secured $2000 in underpaid wages and compensation, now encourages other people to research their rights. “I think when people aren’t aware of their rights and are desperate to work it can be a recipe for exploitation,” she said. “It’s so important to know your rights because legally you can’t be fired for asking to be paid properly.”

My Le

A SHATTERED spirit can be common for those who have experienced domestic and family violence.

As was the case for painter and singer My Le, who stopped performing after experiencing an abusive relationship and three-year custody battle over her son.

After regaining custody and moving to Sydney, Ms Le experienced another abusive relationship and left.

She won victim’s compensation, helping her establish a new life and reconnecting with her artistic passions. In addition to her own work, Ms Le now teaches art therapy classes to young homeless people and people who have experienced violence. “Sometimes I see my own experience of domestic violence reflected in their lives,” she said. “It means a lot to be able to help them through it.”

Derek Rees

DEREK Rees was a successful inner west business leader until he suffered a serious injury in a bushwalking fall.

In the wake of the accident, he lost his home, relationship and livelihood and aged in his mid-40s was deemed too young for aged care and ineligible for other support.

So, he lived in a car for years, accruing fines and buying what he could with any spare money.

Lawyers at Marrickville Legal Centre were able to get the fines waived and connect Mr Rees to temporary housing through the support of the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre.

While the legacy of sleeping rough remains, Mr Rees said he now enjoys a regular routine including lunch at the Exodus Foundation in Ashfield.

Kurtis Lyon

A CASE of mistaken identity almost cost Kurtis Lyon his dream of becoming a social worker.

On January 1, 2015, the 23-year-old was standing outside a house with two mates when they were attacked by a man yielding a baseball bat who had mistaken them for the next door neighbours.

I didn’t realise I had a disability until I was 11 years old - Elise Ackland

Acting in self-defence, Kurtis and his friends managed to disarm the man as they waited for police — only to be arrested and charged with assault themselves.

“It was a very tough time because we had never been in trouble with police and we didn’t know the processes,” Mr Lyon said.

“I was managing a cafe, studying to become a youth worker and trying to progress with my life — all that was at jeopardy.”

Youth solicitors at Marrickville Legal Centre took up the case, leading to all charges being dropped due to insufficient evidence.

Mr Lyon, who now works as a social worker while juggling parenthood, said the experience had taught him how “something as simple as mistaken identity can change your whole life”.

“When you don’t understand the legal system it’s a very daunting process,” he said. “I definitely consider myself fortunate”.

Elise Ackland

“I DIDN’T realise I had a disability until I was 11 years old,” says Elise Ackland, whose mother treated her like her other siblings, allowing her to climb trees, explore and go to the same school.

That spirit has carried Elise to where she is today: an independent woman, with a strong community online and off, who has worked for the ABC.

But when her condition, arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, which relates to decreased flexibility of the joints, forced her to take extended leave from work in 2018, her spirit was put to the test.

Despite living with the condition all her life, she had not received government support, preferring instead to pay all her medical costs. Those patchy medical records meant it was hard to prove her disability — and be eligible for the NDIS.

It left her thousands of dollars behind in rent and close to losing her home in Strathfield.

Ms Ackland — who not been able to travel to hearings — turned to the Marrickville Legal Centre, who managed to save the tenancy by challenging previous termination orders. Within days, NDIS support came through and she was able to pay a backlog of rent and afford much-needed equipment including a ramp for her home.

Richard Green

RICHARD Green may be known for his acting roles alongside the likes of Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson, but for much for the time his life has not been as glamorous.

Often seen singing under his favourite tree — an old moreton bay fig at St Stephen’s Church, Newtown — Mr Green only recently managed to secure public housing after living on the streets for 10 years. But he still regularly receives warning notices for overdue fines issued by police and public transport officers which he can’t afford to pay on his disability support pension.

Over the years, more than $30,000 in fines have been worked down by lawyers at the Marrickville Legal Centre.

Eva Tiborcz

AS A self-described “whistleblower” who escaped Hungary as a political refugee in the 1980s, Eva Tiborcz is not afraid to stand up for what’s right.

Her latest challenge was against the State Government over fair conditions at her social housing unit at Alice St, Newtown.

It all began when her gas bills suddenly spiked, and despite taking measures to keep costs down – including showering at her son’s house — the hefty bills kept coming.

After a drawn out dispute, the Civil and Administrative Tribunal found there was no individual gas metering at the housing complex, meaning residents were forking out for water and gas they were not using, and awarded compensation to Ms Tiborcz. The decision, which could set a precedent for thousands of other public housing tenants, is being appealed by NSW Housing.

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