Noor Blumer always inspired her daughter Shari, and many others. Photo: Supplied.
A former Griffith-based lawyer who went on to establish a nationwide personal injury firm — and who helped expose sexual harassment at the highest levels of the legal profession — has been recognised with an Order of Australia.
Born in Malaysia, Noor Blumer became a mother at just 18, giving birth to her daughter Shari in Perth. Two years later, she moved with her partner Mark and their baby to Griffith, where she began building both a family life and a career.
While raising four children, Noor worked full-time for the Commonwealth Employment Service and studied law by correspondence — a demanding combination that laid the foundations for her future success.
She launched her legal career in Griffith and has since gone on to run law firms in Canberra, Perth and Hobart with her husband Mark, who also has an interest in the local firm Cater & Blumer.
In 2020, Noor was thrust into the national and international spotlight when she alleged former High Court Justice Dyson Heydon groped her at the 2013 Law Ball — allegations that helped bring to light a broader pattern of offending.
Her daughter Shari, now a Griffith councillor and business manager for Cater & Blumer, said she was proud of her mother for speaking out.
“My mother didn’t work for the government and she had her own business, so she felt the need to defend the young women in the profession who were concerned about their careers,” Shari said.
“She was the public figure on behalf of so many other women.”
Noor Blumer lived in Griffith from 1982 to 1998. Photo: Supplied.
Noor later went on to represent Brittany Higgins when she sought compensation from the Commonwealth Government after being sexually assaulted in Parliament House.
Now aged 64 and based in Perth, Noor said she continued to be humbled by the impact of her decision to speak out.
“I still have young women and young lawyers coming up to me saying how much they appreciated that I was prepared to speak out,” she said.
“I’m very grateful, and I’m very, very thankful for those around me who have supported me in so many ways over the years and supported the causes that I’ve been involved in so passionately … particularly in the area of gender equity, court administration and access to justice.”
Shari said her mother’s determination helped pave the way for women of her generation to forge successful careers.
“I always remember both my mum and dad as people determined to do the right thing,” she said.
Original article published by Ian Bushnell on Region Canberra.
