Women’s Reference Groups

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

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. Held in May 2021 at Camp Coonawarra in Glenaladale, it brought together 50 women volunteers to participate in a range of 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. 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. District 15 WRG opened the event addressing the theme of ‘Choose to challenge’ and how they have challenged the status

quo from the development of the group to their representation on the DPC and DPC subcommittees. They talked about their successes, their training initiatives and their plans for 2021. Guest speaker CFA CEO Natalie MacDonald shared her experiences about how she has ‘chosen to challenge’ in her career and how she has said “why not?” when taking on new challenges. Cape Clear, Colac and Malmsbury fire brigades all shared initiatives that increased women’s participation in CFA, and the District 14 Learning and Development team spoke about their female driver education program. Participants also heard from the District 24 WRG who spoke about their achievements and the future of their group. The online event was closed by guest speaker Chief Officer Jason Heffernan. He accepted Daylesford Fire Brigade volunteer and WRG member Indre Kisonas’s challenge for CFA to source a narrow boot for women, and he announced that the next tender for a fire boot would include the requirement for an alternate boot. Jess Bettess from the Volunteer Sustainability Team, who helped organise the event, said the day was a success “The day was a great opportunity for members across the state to share successful initiatives they have introduced to increase female participation,” Jess said. “97 per cent of participants statewide said they would attend an event like this in the future. They enjoyed the opportunity to network with fellow volunteers and the initiatives presented were relevant to their brigades.”

Far left and top left: South East Region Women’s Challenge Camp Above: District 15 Women’s Reference Group with Chief Officer Jason Heffernan Top right: District 15 WRG’s International Women’s Day event

District 24 WRG empowers women

District 24’s WRG hosted an online event featuring guest speakers Australian mining engineer, athlete, motivational speaker and author Turia Pitt and Australian lawyer and Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick. It was attended by 100 people. The event aimed to empower CFA members to live with more confidence, overcome adversity, reach goals, challenge gender inequality and be a champion for change. Volunteer Sustainability Team member Elissa Rossiter planned the session and said she received wonderful feedback from the event. “It was fantastic to hear from Turia and Elizabeth as well as CFA’s Chief Officer Jason Heffernan and CEO Natalie MacDonald,” Elissa said. “We had many CFA members attend as well as members of the community. It was great to see so many people empowered.”