Junior leaders share, develop and learn at the 2023 Forum

Junior Leader Forum 2023 participants

 

Lady Northcote Discovery Camp in Glenmore hosted the 2023 Junior Leader Forum on 21-22 October 2023.

 

Forty Junior leaders joined the Youth team to explore the best way to support and develop our Junior members (aged 11 to 15 years) across the state.

CFA’s Health Services team kicked off the weekend with an introduction to the Fit Kidz program, which promotes healthy living among our youngest members. Junior leaders experienced the different elements of the program and discussed how it could be modified to work for the older end of the Juniors cohort.

“The weekend was fantastic," A/Captain and Junior Leader Swan Hill Fire Brigade Harold Jochs said. "It was so good to be around people who see our Juniors as our future, realising not every Junior will become a senior member but wanting them to have positive feelings towards CFA so in later life they may come back.  

"I really enjoyed the Fit Kids session, will definitely be looking at booking this in.”

Keeping our young members safe is an extremely important priority and the Child Safety team provided a refresher on reporting and record keeping, and the Diversity and Inclusion team shared CFA's new strategy and explored how this impacts Junior brigades.

Providing our Junior leaders with the tools to positively engage young people was a significant theme of the weekend.

Grovedale Fire Brigade Junior Leader Bec Frost joined online to share about the booklet produced every year for the Juniors equip them with skills to help them on their membership journey, such as hose work and radio communications.

Swan Hill and Red Cliffs brigades shared about a day they spent together with their Juniors at Sunraysia VEMTC.

Forum participants built an activities window (there was no wall space) to share the different activities undertaken with their Juniors to help spark imagination and creativity.

Sarah Kinder, Junior Leader, Monbulk brigade, said, "It was a great weekend of building connections and resources to grow our Junior programs and provide a safer transition to seniors."

CFA’s Wellbeing team joined in with a session about having mental health conversations and how to check in on a young person. Although this can be a difficult area to navigate, Junior leaders were able to build new skills and explore this theme through scenarios.

Sessions also explored Youth Pathways and the Cadet Program and the support being developed for members transitioning from Juniors to senior brigade.

“[It was great to see] the positive approach to 16 and 17 year olds in CFA and having the right attitude. We won't say it’s too hard, but find a way to put things in place where Juniors can start their senior CFA journey and be looked after by their brigades,” Harold Jochs said.

However, it wasn’t all work and no play - Saturday evening was quiz night. General knowledge buffs flexed their muscles and fought a closely contested battle. Congratulations to the Jelly Babies of Lady Northcoterie. 

Despite some healthy banter and competition, it was clear that relationships had been build and networks were being established that will provide our Junior members with a stronger, more positive and engaging experience in CFA.   

“I'm so inspired by the people I met and the group chats and networking we have been able to achieve over a weekend," Junior Leader Red Cliffs Fire Brigade Olivia Rimon said. "I believe being able to take this time to hear about the updates and how other brigades are achieving great things and share how they are doing this, is so helpful and makes so much sense to be able to share this knowledge.

"I’m so grateful that the team from CFA provided this weekend to support all the Junior leaders."

 

Submitted by	Jen Clement