STATEWIDE NEWS
CFA’s Women’s Reference Groups This year CFA’s Women’s Reference Groups (WRG) across the state hosted several events and activities to share initiatives and support the development of women in CFA. District 15 WRG Chair and Cardigan & Windermere Fire Brigade member Michelle Phillips said WRGs are vitally important. “Having three daughters and a son all now in CFA, I felt it was my obligation to make CFA an even better, more inclusive place for them to volunteer,” Michelle said. “The District 15 WRG has successfully seen women volunteers formally accepted into the district planning committee and all sub-committees for our district. This is a landmark achievement because women now have the opportunity to be involved in decision-making across the district. District 15 WRG meets quarterly to develop initiatives that foster a culture of inclusion, leading to increased opportunities for and participation by women at all levels of CFA in District 15. The team also offers advice to the District 15 Planning Committee. “Currently the number of women in CFA doesn’t reflect our wider community. We need to create interest and show how we support all memberships in CFA.”
South East Region Women’s Challenge Camp
activities that showcased the dynamic skill development and training opportunities for women in CFA. Deputy Chief Officer Trevor Owen attended the weekend and participated in a number of events. “There was a whole range of activities happening, including wellbeing, leadership, information about IMT roles and a panel discussion that included CEO Natalie MacDonald and Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp,” Trevor said. Golden Beach Fire Brigade Captain Paula Grosveld said there were a range of networks in place to support women in CFA. “I’m really proud to be part of the Challenge Camp and I hope that some of the women who attended got some really relevant and encouraging ideas to take back to their brigades.”
District 15 WRG’s International Women’s Day event On Sunday 14 March the District 15 WRG hosted the first CFA statewide International Women’s Day event. The idea for this event was created and developed by the District 15 WRG and was the first of its kind in CFA. It was developed and delivered by volunteers for volunteers.
Women from brigades across South East Region were invited to test their fitness, build connections and understand each other’s experiences at CFA through a challenge camp.
More than 260 volunteers and staff from around the state attended, including 57 who opted to attend online. A faceto-face event was held in most districts which provided an opportunity for networking and discussion after the event.
Held in May 2021 at Camp Coonawarra in Glenaladale, it brought together 50 women volunteers to participate in a range of
District 15 WRG opened the event addressing the theme of ‘Choose to challenge’ and how they have challenged the status
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