District 7 women leading the way
Kicking off first thing on Saturday morning, District 7 women came together at VEMTC Central Highlands for a skills day, setting out in four groups to take part in four hands-on activities.
The program featured two hot fire training drills, a session on forced entry techniques and the Driving circuit traversing vertical and horizontal slopes, undulating tracks, and water crossings in tankers and 4WDs.
Designed to be inclusive of operational and non-operational members, the activities selected and the composition of the groups were informed by the members' preferences gathered during the expression of interest process. This ensured that each activity was engaging and accessible to all. Non-operational members were encouraged to have a go to gain an appreciation and awareness of what is involved being operational.
Margaret Millar, a non-operational member shared her reflection of the day.
"All the team leaders and instructors included me. It was great and I really enjoyed it," Margaret said.
For Operational members the day provided a hands-on experience to learn and practise fireground skills and some members stretched their skills to leadership and mentoring.
Group leader Joy Thorup-Anderson said, "It was absolutely amazing to see others grow in confidence through new experiences or even getting over fears.'
District 7 Women’s Network Representative and Captain Shannon Robinson shared her thoughts about the event.
"It was incredibly empowering and encouraging. It created a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone felt comfortable to ask questions, take on challenges, and learn without pressure or judgment," Shannon said.
"The shared experiences and strong sense of connection among the group helped build confidence, making it not just a training day but a truly inspiring experience."
The District 7 Women’s Network was formed in 2024. Over the past 10 years the percentage of operational women in District 7 has steadily grown from 13.1 per cent to 16.8 per cent. Although numbers are slowly rising, women remain a minority in CFA.
The Women's Network supports and encourages women to participate at all levels of CFA in District 7 by creating activities and events that support inclusion. The network provides a platform to celebrate women’s achievements and inspire others, build on skills and confidence, and provide a forum for addressing challenges or barriers faced by women in District 7.
This was the second all-women hot fire training day event for District 7, and the first hosted by the District 7 Women's Network.
Upcoming events include a fire ecology walk in November and a visit to a fire tower in March.