South East women stepping up

Deputy Chief Officer South East, Trevor Owen, said it was amazing to see dedicated women taking on the challenge of leadership roles.  

“These women are bringing fresh perspectives, strength, and dedication to their positions and inspiring the next generation of female leaders in CFA,” he said.  

In Golden Beach Paula Grosveld is stepping down as Captain of the brigade after 20 years and will be stepping into the role of Group Officer for Banksia Group.  

Her new role will involve supporting the brigades in her group to deliver the best for their communities as well as supporting members to achieve their personal goals within CFA.  

"I hope I can bring a real sense of respect, kindness, and commitment to the role so that all the brigades know that if they need anything from the group, we will be there to support them," she said.  

Paula has been involved with CFA for 39 years and throughout that time has held various roles.  

Paula is passionate about young people getting involved and hopes she can inspire those coming through the ranks to step up into leadership roles.  

"Hopefully I can just carry on from the last few group officers and build on what we already have," she said.  

Golden Beach sits in CFA's District 10 in East Gippsland and Paula said she is really proud to be from an area that has over 90 group management and brigade management positions filled by women.  

"In District 10 we have huge representation of women in Brigade Management Teams and in group management teams," she said.   

'It is just amazing that the women here put up their hand and they have a crack and it's awesome to see these women grow and learn alongside them." 

Next door in District 11 Bronwyn “Bronnie” Jonkers from Wairewa brigade is the secretary, treasurer and now the fourth Deputy Group Officer of Orbost Group. 

Bronnie is the first female DGO in Orbost Group. Bronnie has been a volunteer for just over five years, starting in Wairewa before moving to Stratford and then back to Wairewa.    

Since then, Bronnie has been on a whirlwind of a ride, completing Women’s Challenge Camps, doing lots of training and was elected to the position of 4th Lieutenant at Stratford Brigade along with Fundraising Coordinator role before moving back to Wairewa. 

As a mum of three kids Bronnie knows about keeping busy but hopes she can continue to learn and push herself in her new role.  

"I have grown to love being able to help as much as I can," she said.  

"I signed up thinking I would just be a firefighter and fight fires but since being in CFA I have just continued to grow." 

She encourages all girls and women to think about getting involved in CFA.  

"It is a great community to get involved in and you make a lot of new friends, all the women are supportive and you will be really supported in pushing yourself,” she said.  

CFA’s District 8 is getting two new lieutenants, Alida Goodchild at Tyabb and Claire Maloney at Carrum Downs.  

Stepping into the role of fourth lieutenant for the Tyabb brigade is an exciting new step for Alida Goodchild.  

"There has never been a female lieutenant at Tyabb," she said.  

Alida said she is proud to be stepping into this role and hopes she can bring her strengths to the forefront. 

"There are more women in the brigade than we have ever had," she said 

"I really want to lead by example and show that they too can enter these roles and step up in the brigade to take on leadership roles."  

In her role as fourth lieutenant Alida will be supporting the brigades mental health program, helping with fundraising and social events like brigade dinners, hydrant maintenance, and social media.   

"They really tailor the portfolios to what you are good at and they move around depending on who is in the role so you can really thrive in your areas," she said.  

Claire Maloney is not only the first female lieutenant in the Carrum Downs brigade but she is the first fifth lieutenant the brigade has ever had.  

On top of this she is stepping into the role of protective equipment manager, which is also a first for the brigade as they prepare to welcome a new breathing apparatus (BA) vehicle to their brigade.  

"It's fun to be at the decision table with the brigade management team and get a peek behind the curtain." 

Claire said over the years she has been involved with CFA, the desire to take on more challenges and leadership has developed. 

"I don't think I started off with that in mind but it has definitely grown on me," she said.  

The confidence Claire gets to take on leadership roles she attributes to developing and running a confidence course for crew leaders. 

"I definitely learned lots through that and it helped me to get the confidence to step up into other roles."