Sparke Helmore Lawyers is supporting Newcastle-based Juliana Bahr-Thomson as this month she undertakes a gruelling 1,000 kilometre paddleboard charity challenge from Newcastle to Noosa, Queensland.
Juliana, also known as the Mermaid with a Message, is using her momentous journey to raise awareness of family violence and ocean conservation. She aims to raise more than $50,000, which will be donated to White Ribbon Australia and the Surfrider Foundation Australia. The journey is also a Guinness World Record attempt in the prone paddleboard record category.
As a PE teacher and professional ocean lifeguard, Juliana believes more needs to done to educate children about family violence and reduce its impact on them, and to also teach children about the importance of environmental sustainability.
“It took me 23 years to speak out about the domestic violence I endured and I feel it’s my legacy to pass on a message of strength and self-assurance to other women and young people,” Juliana said. “We need to reduce the prevalence of family violence in society and also foster young people’s understanding of the environment and how it will shape their future.”
“Juliana has a great message of resilience and we wish her all the best as she takes on this inspiring challenge,” Sparke Helmore Chairmand, Mark Hickey, said.
Juliana’s challenge began from Newcastle Harbour on 1 May and she aims to arrive at Noosa Beach on 11 June 2016.
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Sparke Helmore Lawyers
We’ve come a long way since our doors first opened in the Hunter in 1882. We’ve had an office in Sydney since the ‘60s and we recently opened our ninth office in Darwin.
We cover five key areas of law – Corporate & Commercial, Commercial Insurance, Government, Statutory Lines of Insurance and Workplace – with more than 30 specialised areas of expertise. We’re a truly national, full service and proudly Australian firm that delivers results through deep collaboration with our clients. Wherever our clients need us, that’s where we’ll be.
Covering a big country needs a big team—we’re more than 900 people now and still growing. And in true Australian spirit, we’re friendly, approachable and easy to work with. And when you work with one of us, you get the expertise of all of us.