The Board may resolve to nominate a person or persons for Honorary Life Membership on such terms as decided by the Board.
(5) Members of the association present at an Annual General Meeting may, upon nomination by the Board, and by resolution of the members, declare any person who has rendered significant service to the association, its aim or its objectives to be an Honorary Life member of the association.
QUINN CRAMER -
QUEENSLAND FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES
Quinn joined Queensland Fire and Rescue Service part time in August 2008 as an Auxiliary Firefighter in Bundaberg while she worked full time as a Business Manager at Target. In August 2011 Quinn commenced full time employment as a Firefighter with Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and upon graduating the academy was appointed to Rockhampton, Central Region. Quinn was the first female employed to a permanent position in Rockhampton and only the fourth female in the Central Region.
Quinn completed her Cert III in Public Safety and Firefighting & Emergency Operations in 2015 to attain the rank of first class firefighter and then went on to complete her Certificate IV in Public Safety/Firefighting Supervision to become qualified as a Senior Firefighter in March 2016. In 2017 Quinn completed the Q‑Balance Women leaders in public safety course through the Australian Institute of Police Management (AIPM). More recently she completed her OPRC025 Regional Instruction and was appointed to the position of Station Officer Gladstone command in July 2018.
In 2014 Quinn became involved with WAFA (Women in Firefighting Australasia) through their biennial conference. Through her involvement with WAFA Quinn saw a need to implement and work towards improving communications and mentoring networks for female firefighters in rural areas. Quinn joined the board of WAFA in October 2017 and is involved in membership, marketing subcommittee. Quinn was also on the organising committee for the 2018 WAFA conference in Wellington. She was also a part of a team the organised QLD Central Regions first ever Tri-Agency Symposium linking QAS, QPS and QFES to work together towards joint outcomes. The Symposium held in October 2017 in Rockhampton focused on strategies for Inclusion and Diversity and the challenges that the three agencies face.
Her work in Central Region led to her being awarded Outstanding Female Leader in an Operational Role at the International Women’s day PSBA awards in March 2017. Quinn also received the award for Outstanding contribution by a Female Firefighter at the WAFA Awards night in 2018.
In her spare time Quinn is a competitive cyclist and has represented Queensland at a National Level with multiple medals at state and national level. She was awarded QLD Elite Female Track Cyclist of the Year 2014, 2015, 2016 and is a member of the Cycling QLD Women’s cycling committee. Quinn has also completed seven QFES Bike 4 Burns charity rides raising funds for the Burns unit of the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital.
MELINDA MCDONALD
FIRE AND RESCUE NSW
With a background in communications and project management, Melinda (Min) McDonald made a career change to operational firefighting with Fire and Rescue NSW in 2017 and has not regretted it for a moment. Having gained experience in both metropolitan and regional stations, including Australia’s largest and busiest station, City of Sydney, Min was part of deployments for the 2019 bushfires, and the 2022 floods in the Northern Rivers, Sydney’s west, and northwest NSW - where she worked as part of a multi-agency IMT, and as a community liaison officer.
Min is currently undertaking a research project with FRNSW Community Risk Reduction Unit to identify gaps, examine current approaches, and develop evidence-based programs to reduce risk for culturally diverse communities, and regularly presents on this topic in emergency management and academic forums.
Min contributes to FRNSW Women’s Inclusive Network, Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Network, and is a passionate advocate for women in firefighting, regularly mentoring female applicants for career firefighting, and helping to host the WAFA PAT FAM Information Sessions at the FRNSW Emergency Services Academy.
Min holds a Bachelor of Business, is a Justice of the Peace, and is a member of the International Communications Association, the Diversity Council of Australia and the Institute of Public Administration Australia.
When she’s not at work, Min likes to ride her bike, run, do yoga, and drink babycinos with her grandson Teddy – not necessarily in that order.
ROBYN ALLCHIN
Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service
With a background in environmental science and law, Robyn began her career in fire management in
2012, when she took up a role at the then Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment
(DSE) – now Forest Fire Management Victoria. During this time Robyn had several roles across the
state working in public land bushfire management and prevention activities, before relocating to her
home state of Tasmania in 2019.
Robyn continued her career in fire management with the Tasmanian Fire Service, working as a
Planning Officer, assisting with planned burn activities and community fire safety. In 2023, Robyn
landed her current role at the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service as a Fire Management Officer
(Policy), which she loves.
Robyn took up a casual board vacancy with WAFA in 2023, before taking up the position of Secretary
in 2024.
Robyn is passionate about diversity in fire management and sees increasing the presence of women
at the decision-making table as an excellent way of improving outcomes on the ground.
In her spare time Robyn likes bushwalking, running and spending time with her partner and four-
year daughter, who has already been to her first WAFA conference!
TBC
ALISON WALTERS — FORMER TREASURER AND PUBLIC OFFICER
AIR SERVICES AUSTRALIA
Alison has been an Aviation Rescue Fire Fighter for Airservices since 2012, working at Sydney International & Domestic Airport.
As part of a team of more than 900 fire fighters, located at 26 airports across Australia, Alison is required to be ready to rescue people and property from an aircraft crash or fire and from other fires on the airport.
A busy mother with four children, Alison and her partner own their own CrossFit Box in Maroubra NSW. An extensive background in the health and fitness industry, which includes certificates from nutrition to life coaching, are all highly valuable skills which Alison has brought to the firefighting profession.
In recent years, Alison has been a member the Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Services’ Women in Fire Fighting Focus Group, aimed at supporting and driving a number of initiatives to better attract and retain women into aviation rescue firefighting roles. Alison is passionate about helping others move towards a career in firefighting and has helped train dozens of participants for the physical component of the testing phase in recruiting.
In 2016 Alison also played a role in advertising and events as part of Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting’s ‘Stay Fit Save Lives’ recruitment campaign which was successful in increasing the number of females applying for roles with Airservices.
She has enjoyed the challenges of working in a male dominated job and has seen many positive changes which has made her love the career even more.
After attending the WAFA conference in Canberra 2014, Alison was pleasantly surprised at the support throughout the Australasian community and learnt more about females striving towards a united front. She has been a supportive member since and continues to actively support the women and firefighting community.
STEVE O’MALLEY —
MELBOURNE FIRE BRIGADE
Steve O’Malley AFSM is a Leading Firefighter with the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) fulfilling the current role of Firefighter — Diversity and Inclusion.
Steve has been an operational Firefighter for more than 31 years and is a graduate in the study of Human Rights.
As well as fulfilling his current role Steve is also:
Board and Honorary Life member of Women and Firefighting Australasia (WAFA)
Foundation member of the Emergency Management Victoria ‘Gender and Disaster’ taskforce
MFB Family Violence & Equal Opportunity Contact Officer
Co-Coordinates the ‘Diversity Stream’ of the annual Emergency Management Conference in Melbourne
Trainer and Facilitator of the Gender and Disaster Pod’s Gendered Violence and Lessons in Disaster training package
White Ribbon Ambassador since 2007 and a former member of the National Ambassador’s Reference Group, White Ribbon Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander and Culturally and Linguistically Diversity family violence reference groups
In 2005 he was awarded the MFB’s Medal for Long and Good Service and the National Medal for Service. He received the Victorian Award for Excellence for Service to Victoria’s Multicultural Community in 2008, on Australia Day 2010 he became a recipient of the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) and more recently a recipient of the National Emergency Medal for sustained service during the 2009 Victorian Bushfires. Steve was the recipient of the 2014 Chief Officer’s Scholarship, returning from a trip to investigate the Fire Brigade’s role in the primary prevention of violence against women in the UK.
Steve’s activities in raising awareness of gendered violence have a direct correlation with Emergency Services strategies in mitigating risk to the community. He is often relied on to present on diversity and inclusion strategies within the emergency services sector, and on various governing bodies and working groups.
‘My advocacy and agency has been a driver in both my personal and professional life. I feel that the combination of professional acumen and personal enthusiasm has established me as a leader in equity and inclusion practice in the Emergency Management sector’.
‘My purpose has been, and still remains, the elimination of gender based violence through gender equity. This will only be achieved through the continuation of valuable, innovative and strategic partnerships both within and outside the emergency management sector’.
Journals and Articles
Asia Pacific Fire magazine article in capacity as WAFA Board member.
http://apfmag.mdmpublishing.com/women-and-firefighting-australasia-2016-right-place-right-time/
Australian Journal of Emergency Management — “Victoria’s gender and disaster taskforce – a retrospective analysis” https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/ajem-jul-2018-victoria-s-gender-and-disaster-taskforce-a-retrospective-analysis/
The White Ribbon Campaign and Emergency Management – Australian Institute of Emergency Services journal
https://issuu.com/countrywideaustral/docs/ner_spring_2017
ERIN POGMORE
PENELOPE CILENTO
EMMA WELSBY
LAURA SMITH
ANGE PESTELL
ANNE PICKLES PSM, BA, GRAD DIP LIB SCI
FORMER BOARD MEMBER, PRESIDENT/VICE PRESIDENT
FIRE AND RESCUE NSW
Anne Pickles is Manager Capability Program and Policy in the Operational Capability
Directorate of Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW). Anne developed FRNSW’s emergency
management policy and planning framework and leads the development of its emergency
management plans.
Anne has worked for FRNSW for more than 30 years, in which time she has been involved
with nearly every aspect of the service. Starting as the Librarian, she was a founder member
of the Australasian Librarians in Emergency Services (ALIES) network. Anne then moved
into administration, gaining experience in knowledge management, policy and procedure
development, governance and risk, strategy and planning, and the workings of government.
In 2005 Anne was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding leadership in the
development and implementation of information management practices and coordinating the
development of procedures targeting the information needs of firefighters, particularly in
relation to work health and safety. Anne has also been awarded the FRNSW Long Service
and Good Conduct Medal and two Clasps.
Anne was involved in the start-up of FRNSW’s Lessons Learned Centre and works with
firefighters to gather and analyse operational experience and turn it into explicit knowledge
to drive continuous improvement in safety and service delivery. Anne champions diversity
and inclusion in the development of FRNSW strategy and policy and is a member of the
FRNSW Women’s Inclusive Network.
Anne became involved in WAFA when she attended and was inspired by the 2018 WAFA
Conference in Wellington, New Zealand. Anne was elected to the WAFA Board in 2018 and
became President at the 2021 Annual General Meeting. Anne is also a member of the
Australasian Women in Emergencies Network.
Anne has a Graduate Diploma in Library Science and a Bachelor of Arts degree from
Sydney University. She reads widely and is an active citizen scientist conducting wildlife
monitoring in her Local Government Area.
As a volunteer, Anne contributed 20 years service to 2MBS-FM, a community radio station
broadcasting classical music. Currently, Anne does bush regeneration with her local council
and the Friends of Lord Howe Island. She enjoys eco-touring in Australia and New Zealand
and has a particular fondness for islands.
JOHN PAPPAS FIML, MAICD, MICDA
BOARD MEMBER/ TREASURER
QUEENSLAND FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES
John Pappas is currently Director, Regional Operations for Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES). He is the Fire and Rescue service-lead for Central Region responsible for the overall service delivery, management, and performance of Fire and Rescue Stations between Agnes Water, the Whitsundays and west to the South Australian border.
His interest in firefighting started in March 1994 when he joined the (then) NSW Bush Fire Service as a junior member in northern Sydney. This proved to be the catalyst of his fire service career and commenced with the ACT Fire Brigade in 2002. In 2011 John was promoted to the rank of Station Officer and, transitioned to QFES in 2014. He has undertaken various roles at the rank of Inspector, Superintendent and Chief Superintendent including Zone Commander, Manager Operations Business, Area Commander, Director Regional Development, Director Regional Operations and Executive Manager, School of Fire and Emergency Services Training.
John is a strong supporter of equality and inclusiveness believing that everyone is unique and valued; and that everyone brings something to the table. He has been a member of WAFA since 2017, is a QFES Ally of Inclusion embracing and promoting the fairness, equity and inclusion programs of QFES and a member of the International Association of Women in Fire & Emergency Services.
He is known for his strong business acumen and strategic foresight and holds extensive qualifications in Government, Emergency and Firefighting Management including a Bachelor of Emergency Service, a Graduate Certificate in Business (Public Sector Management) and a Graduate Diploma in Strategic Leadership. He is currently completing an MBA and has professional membership with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Australian Institute of Emergency Services, Institute of Community Directors Australia, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders.
Away from firefighting John has an interest in the moving camera having had a concurrent career in television production between 1998 and 2014. He was heavily involved with the Olympics broadcast movement for the 2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens, 2006 Torino Winter and 2008 Beijing Olympics.
To escape reality, John frequents his ancestral roots in the Mediterranean and tours the world by motorbike.
KELSEY TARABINI
BNHCRC
Kelsey is currently working with the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC in the DELWP Research Program and Partnership Development as a support role. Kelsey is an active volunteer fire fighter previously with the South Australian Country Fire Service for three years. Since Kelsey has moved to Victoria she has continued her volunteer fire fighting with the Victorian Country Fire Authority.
Kelsey is a Youth Ambassador for the WAFA board and is interested in collaborating with agencies around Australia to see how they can best support young women who are staff or volunteer within agencies.
Kelsey comes from an academic background and works in project management through the BNHCRC and is interested in exploring the gaps that exist in research with youth in the emergency services.
ARIANA HENDERSON
PARKS VICTORIA
Ariana commenced her career with Parks Victoria in December 2004 as a Seasonal Ranger at Albert Park in Melbourne, and continued as a Park Ranger in Visitor Services and Events management. In 2006 Ariana joined the Education and Interpretation Team, where she launched Parks Victoria’s Junior Ranger Program and Ranger Roo kids receiving Excellence Awards from the Interpretation Australia Association and the Australian Marketing Institute.
In 2010 Ariana moved into the Fire and Emergency Services Directorate and undertook a strategic review of Parks Victoria’s Emergency Management Planning process. In 2015 she commenced her current role Manager Fire and Emergency Recovery and leads the statewide coordination of recovery programs following emergencies on Parks Victoria managed land.
Since 2006 Ariana has been a General Fire-fighter attaining Crew Leader and Operations Officer 1 accreditations, currently working towards Burn Officer in Charge. She is a recipient of the National Emergency Medal recognising her contribution to the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.
In 2015 Ariana co-presented ‘Bring your Lipstick’ at the AFAC conference highlighting gender equity issues within the emergency services sector. Since then Ariana has been a strong advocate through her involvement on the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) ‘Women in Fire and Emergencies Leadership Action Plan’; and as a member of Parks Victoria’s Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Group. She is proud of her achievement producing the 2016 International Women’s Day ‘Burning Ambition’ video highlighting women in fire and emergency.
Ariana has completed a Bachelor of Applied Science double degree in Parks, Recreation and Heritage and Ecotourism, where she received the Dean’s Award for Excellence and the Interpretation Australia award for Academic Excellence.
When not at work, Ariana is in pursuit of ticking off her 101 dreams list. She has already accomplished walking 900km Camino de Santiago across Spain, the Quarry trail to Machu Picchu in Peru, sailing the Greek islands, a Shamanic healing retreat in Mexico, dancing Salsa in Cuba, visiting Morocco, the Galapagos Islands, and driving an RV across USA and Canada to the Calgary stampede. During her most recent adventure to Africa in 2018 she summitted Mount Kilimanjaro, saw the great migration in the Serengeti and visited the Maasai Mara. In her spare time, she attempts to speak very bad Spanish, enjoys taking photos and writes draft novels which she hopes to one day share with the world through her website.
Burning Ambition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HoCNW1XZ4A
EMMA GAMBLE -
NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE
I am a volunteer firefighter with NSWRFS, at Forbes Central Brigade. I’m also part of RAFT.
My passion, is to be a mentor/advocate for anyone wanting to join a brigade or RAFT, to help navigate from the beginning to ease into becoming the firefighter they see themselves being.
For the past 12 months I have already assisted WAFA as a member of the Marketing and Membership Officer, a role which I enjoyed to the point that I wanted to engage further with the board and I was happy to have been elected onto the board at the last AGM.
I am a warehouse Officer working towards my cert 4 in Warehousing and Logistics.
ANNA STEPHAN -
NORTHERN TERRITORY FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
Anna Stephan Firefighter Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS), Alice Springs
Anna grew up in a small village in Germany where her Grandfather had been the captain of the volunteer brigade for 25 years. Inspired by the work the local brigade carried out for the community she joined the group aged 16 and continued to serve as a member until she departed for Australia in 2005.
After settling down in Alice Springs she joined the Rural Volunteer Fire Brigade (ASRVFB) in 2010 and was part of the task force that fought the campaign fires of 2011, brought on by unprecedented rains the year before.
Anna was successful in joining the NTFRS as a recruit in mid-2012 and after absolving the four month recruit course in Darwin has been stationed in Alice Springs since. She currently holds the rank of Senior Firefighter.
Anna anticipates to be able to assist the WAFA board through her experience in sales, promotions and sponsorships, (event) organisational skills and people skills and hopes to take away valuable information to pass on to the NTFRS to assist the organisation in growing the number of full-time female firefighters across the NT.
She and her husband Matt, a paramedic with St John Ambulance, have been living in Alice Springs over 10 years and share a passion for camping, fossicking and the love for their dogs (past and present), good wine, fishing and travelling. They welcomed a daughter in 2018 and are looking forward to her growing up and showing her the raw, natural beauty the Red Centre holds.
NADIA RHODES -
ACT PARKS AND CONSERVATION SERVICE
Nadia has worked as a Field Officer and Ranger in the ACT since 1997 where she started as one of the very few women within the ACT Parks and Conservation Service. Her current role is Ranger in Charge of land management programs within the catchment area of Googong Foreshores located in New South Wales to the South East of Canberra. Nadia undertakes various fire management roles including Incident Controller, Divisional Commander as well as specialised aviation roles, such as Air Observation, Special Intelligence Operations, Air radio and systems operations and Incendiary/Ignition Supervisor.
Nadia has lead the initiative of developing the ACT Parks Fire Women’s Support Group which aims to increase participation of females in the organisation while promoting and developing staff. The Support group workshop and discuss important issues such as fire ground hygiene, PPE/C, training opportunities, fitness and mentoring and also runs female focussed training sessions based around firefighting operations. This year the group will work on producing a set of reproductive health guidelines for the organisation as well as a return to work strategy to help women in the workplace understand their options when returning to work from maternity leave.
Nadia has enjoyed her career in a more male dominated work place and has witnessed the positive change that an increase in diversity and inclusion has had in the organisation. She mentored, provided guidance and continually inspires many new Rangers and fire fighters to challenge themselves in this rewarding career. Nadia has been a member of WAFA since its early days and is excited to become a board member to expand her skills, knowledge and experience and be able to bring back new innovative ideas to the ACT.
ALICE LAVENDER -
NEW SOUTH WALES RURAL FIRE SERVICE
I have been a volunteer in the NSW Rural Fire Services since 2017 as part of Medowie Brigade in the beautiful Port Stephens. I don’t have any family links to firefighting, but a friend encouraged me to join up and once I started it became a newfound passion of mine.
Achievements I am proud of from my time in the service so far include being one of the first female BA Operators in our brigade.
I have been inspired by the work of WAFA since attending the conference in New Zealand in 2018, the amount of knowledge and experience that is possessed by other women across the various emergency services is a great resource for those who are just starting out.
I would like to help in spreading the WAFA message of equity & empowerment through the sharing of this knowledge, and in turn, expanding on my own learning experiences.
Outside of firefighting, my professional background is in accounts and administration management. In my spare time I enjoy going camping and spending as much time outdoors as I can.
CATHERINE JOLLY -
TASMANIA FIRE SERVICE
Catherine joined the Tasmania Fire service as a junior member in 1997 following in the footsteps of her father. She is currently an officer in a volunteer brigade in the south of the State with responsibility for the strategic training plan and other administrative duties on top of her active urban and rural operational role. Recently she has also a commenced as a volunteer training instructor, enjoying the challenge of sharing skills and knowledge with new members from across the Southern Region.
Catherine is passionate about increasing the diversity across the emergency services sector to improve resilience in the future and also has interests in impacts of weather and climate on natural disasters, warnings frameworks and safety. She has participated in the evaluation of fire spread model used in Australia (a joint two year collaborative project with the Bureau of Meteorology, AFAC and NSW RFS) and is training in fire behaviour analysis.
Outside of her volunteer commitments with the Tasmania Fire Service, Catherine is a qualified civil engineer, with experience in local government engineering, hydraulics, hydrology, water resource management and flood forecasting. She is currently employed by the Bureau of Meteorology where she has been has been an operational Flood Forecaster, issuing warnings and working with the emergency management sector and has also contributed to a number of other water-related projects over the years. In between work and volunteer commitments she enjoys gardening, sailing, playing music with friends and bushwalking.
KATIE MACWILLIAMS -
DBCA WA
Katie has worked for the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and its predecessors for 11 years with a focus on land management operations and nature conservation, with a focus more recently in fire management. Katie has been involved with the Women in Fire Management Action Plan working group since its inception and believes strongly in work being undertaken by the department to address areas of systemic unconscious bias and can see the benefit of the changes being applicable to all employees creating opportunities for individuals, families and the organisation.
MICHELLE ENGELSMAN —
FIRE AND RESCUE, NSW
Michelle Engelsman is a Qualified Firefighter currently working within the Fire Investigation and Research Unit (FIRU) of Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW). A retired Olympic swimmer, Michelle has a BSc Honours in Chemistry, a Masters in International Studies and Diplomas in Management and Fundraising.
Supported by FRNSW, Michelle is currently a PhD student researching firefighter exposure risks and subsequent reproductive effects, research that is ongoing and involves biomonitoring and other assessments to determine exposure profiles. Previous research includes a 2015 study on smoke alarms including realistic burn scenarios in a full scale replica house, analysing tenability limits within hazardous atmospheres and overlaying safe egress times on smoke alarm activation times.
Her employment at FRNSW has included her being an active duty firefighter stationed at Bankstown Fire Station, followed by Lidcombe Fire Station.
Previous employment has seen her working within the fields of social and environmental justice, and she is passionate about human rights.
Michelle is the mother of a toddler and a lover of gardening and surfing.
STEPHANIE LOOI -
NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE
Stephanie is a volunteer with the NSW Rural Fire Service. She performs multiple roles in the Service, including as a remote area operator, helicopter rescue crewie, trainer and assessor, as well as a member of a local brigade.
She is passionate about advocating for women in remote area firefighting and aviation and presented at Afac in 2017 on supporting women in remote area firefighting through learning and development.
Stephanie is a qualified optometrist, with a Masters in Public Health as well as a Cert IV in training and assessment.
In her professional life, she has worked in many facets of health, including clinical practice, advocacy, project management, research management, product development and the development and execution of strategy.
DONNA WHEATLEY —
FORMER PRESIDENT AND BOARD MEMBER
METROPOLITAN FIRE BRIGADE, MELBOURNE
Donna Wheatley is a Commander with the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) in Melbourne. With a professional background in Gestalt Psychotherapy, she was working in family counselling and advocacy roles before she joined the operational ranks of the MFB in 2003. She continued work in private practice and research for a number of years as her firefighting career developed. Moving into leadership as an Officer in 2008 the possibilities grew and engaged her aspirations for progress within the ranks and developing influence within the culture of MFB.
Over the 15 years of “catching trucks” there have been many opportunities to explore beyond the day to day of emergency response – as exciting and challenging as some of these responses have been. Donna has worked across many directorates at MFB including Operations, Community Resilience, Strategy and Innovation, Emergency Management, the Office of the CEO and Training. These years saw her promote through the ranks; breaking “glass ceilings” along the way. An exuberant and optimistic commitment has delivered many rewards for great effort, including volunteer work in the employee assistance program and numerous community education programs. Volunteering outside of MFB in Cambodia, Peru and the Philippines as well as ongoing local volunteer roles, and taking educational opportunities with the Australian Institute of Police Management (AIMP) and Leadership Victoria (Williamson’s Community Leadership Program 2015) and extensive community engagement activities with MFB have all added depth to a colourful career.
The opportunity to mentor both within the brigade and in the community has been abundant and gratifying over the years of working with MFB. Having started out in the 90s employed in the corporate arena of MFB, the increased exposure to various facets of the organisation has created ongoing opportunity to work within diverse positions with myriad perspectives on organisational priority – allowing a breadth to the reflection that Donna brings to her mentoring and work roles. With a diverse tertiary education, including a Bachelor degree and numerous post graduate qualifications, the thirst for learning has never been quenched. Donna is growingly driven by the understanding that our greatest lessons come from life and sometimes through the most unexpected teachers; with a deep commitment to exploration of the “growing edge”, lifelong learning is a tenant in the commitment of living a whole hearted life.
ABN: 25 186 689 795
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WAFA acknowledges and recognises the indigenous peoples and cultures of Australasia and the sacred connection that they have as guardians of the land and environment. We are also dedicated to supporting our members in upholding any specific commitment to indigenous people that each of our member parties may have.