Contribution to our Community

The team at McCarley & Associates recognise that we have been blessed with the opportunity to become solicitors. In recognition of this we wish to make, in our own small way, contributions to the community.

Newcastle High School – Award for Contributing to Social Justice.

In 2007 we presented the Inaugural Year 11 McCarley & Associates Prize for Contribution to Social Justice. This award is designed to recognise the contribution of a Year 11 student to the arena of Social Justice. The receipent of this award may have made a contribution to addressing school issues such as bullying or discrimination, or wider issues such as Indigenous Rights, Environmental issues, or addressing the concerns of other minority groups.

2007 recipient – Callan Nickerson. A role model for the youth of Newcastle, Callan Nickerson has been named the first Aboriginal Captain of Newcastle High School (NHS) in its history. Callan’s contribution to the community has been extensive. He is the club captain of Stockton Swimming Club, and has also trained both bronze medallion squads and a Junior Rugby League team. Callan’s contribution extends into his school sporting life as well where he has been a representative in team sports such as rugby league and netball for Newcastle High as well as individual sports such as athletics and swimming. Furthermore his school involvement extends beyond sport, where Callan represented NHS at the conference for Action on Climate Change and he also named Newcastle Young Citizen of the Year in 2008.

Relationship Violence Workshops

In 2007 we commenced running workshops with local high school students on relationship violence. These workshops were initially timed to coincide with the 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women, and are now run as requested by the schools. These workshops are designed to assist students to recognise the early warning signs, and empower students to take a stand against relationship violence.

If you wish to discuss these workshops, or arrange for one to be run at your school or community group, please call our office.

Central Coast Community Legal Centre

Both George and Sara have been members of the Management Committee of the Central Coast Community Legal Centre. This organisation provides an important service on the Central Coast, servicing those people who are ineligible for Legal Aid assistance and cannot afford a private solicitor.