The important role that women play in the efficient running of the Woodend CFA was celebrated at the brigade’s recent annual dinner and award presentations.
Four of the top six awards presented at the dinner were given to women, with the Member of the Year award going to Cara Nolan for an outstanding year of commendable service. The other top five finalists were Jo Hambling, Alex Rogers, Brett Gray and Jemima Bradfield-Smith.
This year’s Captain’s Award was presented to a member who had done an outstanding job throughout the year, and for all of her 14 years with the brigade. Second Lieutenant Sue Hobbs was commended on her ‘super’ commitment to the brigade and her excellent work in the brigade management team and as community safety officer and rehab team manager.
“There is a long history of female involvement in the Woodend CFA in both operational and support roles,” Captain Steve Ritchie said.
“The brigade culture is one that actively encourages involvement in our duties on a broad scale.
“Today’s group of talented women continues a tradition of dedicated service to our community, the whole state of Victoria and beyond.”
Sue Hobbs said women now made up 30 per cent of the brigade’s operational membership.
“In fact, there are currently 11 women who are operational members of the brigade, turning out to all of our emergency calls,” she said.
“So far this year, we have been called to a record number of emergencies and our top two attendees to these call outs are women.”
Captain Ritchie noted it was not unusual to see the majority of members in a crew being made up of women and there were instances earlier this year when four of the five members on a strike team were Woodend women.
As well as Sue Hobbs undertaking her important roles listed above, women currently oversee an important number of management roles within the brigade. Annette van Huffel has been secretary for 19 of her 20 years with the Woodend CFA; Kate Daniel has been a member for 15 years and has managed the brigade’s fire equipment maintenance for many years; Cara Nolan, named as this year’s Member of the Year’ looks after member support and assists in many community activities; Laura Schmid is assistant for community safety, OH&S and member support; and Jemima Bradfield-Smith, also named above, is equipment assistant.
“It is a very rewarding role, contributing to the safety and welfare of our local and boarder communities,” Sue said.
“The old view that being a firefighter is a man’s job is so far from the reality, and the work of the women in the Woodend Fire Brigade is testament to that.”
If you are interested in finding out more about how you can give back to your community through the Woodend CFA, get in touch to find out more.
