Willie Pepper, Justin Downing, Wayne Bell, Rosemary Lovett, John Bell, David Atkinson

The Client Service Officers employed by VALS are:

Wayne Bell - Heywood
A Gunditjmara man from the Portland/Heywood area, Wayne has been employed by VALS since 1994. He is responsible for the Portland, Horsham, Ballarat, Geelong, Warrnambool, Ararat, Stawell, Maryborough and St Arnaud courts. Wayne is also sits on the Community Justice Panel, the Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee, and the South West and Wimmera Cultural Heritage Program. Wayne is interested getting more Koori kids into sport, and acts as an Indigenous role model for the Department for Youth, Sport and Recreation. Wayne was recently awarded a Centenary Medal for his services to the Aboriginal Community.

Willie Pepper – Morwell
Responsible for Central and West Gippsland, Willie attends Moe, Morwell, Wonthaggi and Korumburra Courts. He also visits Fulham and Won-Wron prison. A Kurnai man, Willie was born in Bombala, NSW, and grew up in Drouin. He has been living in Morwell since 1988, and working for VALS since 1997. Willie sits on several committees, including the Gippsland Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee, the Anglicare Regional Legal Committee, Crimes Family Violence Committee for LaTrobe Valley, and the LaTrobe Valley Drug Reference Group. Willie is particularly concerned with reducing the number of Koori kids in the legal system, and tacking substance abuse problems, especially chroming.

David Atkinson – Shepparton
David is responsible for the Shepparton, Echuca, Wodonga, Bendigo, Wangaratta and Castlemaine courts. David also visits inmates at Loddon Prison. Born in Shepparton, David is a Bangarang man with strong ties to Cummeragunja. David is the Chairperson of Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative Board of Directors, as well as sitting on the Hume Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee. David believes in working for a fair go for his community in Shepparton.

Ray Clarke – Mildura
Ray is responsible for the area around Mildura and Robinvale areas. Ray is also the Aboriginal Community Justice Panel representative for the area.

Lyn Morgan – Bairnsdale
Of Kurnai descent, Lyn has responsibility for the Sale, Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance and Orbost Courts. She has been employed by VALS since 1993.

Wayne Walsh - Swan Hill
A Wamba man, Wayne has just completed a degree in criminology from Melbourne University. He was previously employed at the Swan Hill co-operative.

Justin Downing - Melbourne
Born in Melbourne, Justin is of Yorta Yorta descent. He has been working for VALS since May 2002. He plays football and cricket. He has recently completed the Koori Leadership course with VACSAL and RMIT.

John Bell – Melbourne
John is a Gunditjmara man from the Portland/Heywood area. Born in Ballarat, John has been living in Melbourne for since June 2001. He is also a Youth Representative for the Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee. He plays football for the Belmont Lions in Geelong.