WAFA Awards 2025


Outstanding Contribution by a Female in the fire sector:

Kylee Clubb, Second Officer at the Tinaroo Rural Fire Brigade, has been recognised with the Female Contribution to the Fire Sector Award for her exceptional leadership, cultural advocacy and commitment to building a more inclusive sector.

Kylee was a key organiser of AUSWTREX, the first Women in Fire Training Exchange to take place in Australia, which centred Indigenous women and knowledge. Through this work, and her broader leadership, she has championed the recognition of First Nations culture and values as vital to strengthening fire and emergency management. She is widely respected as a humble, dynamic leader who uplifts and mentors women across the sector, with a particular focus on supporting First Nations women to take pride in the unique contribution they bring to land and fire management.

Kylee’s impact is seen in many ways: consistent and courageous leadership through complex and high-pressure situations; mentoring and supporting women to build a more inclusive and diverse sector; serving as a role model for professionalism, resilience and integrity; selflessly giving her time and energy to her community, well beyond the call of duty; maintaining a strong commitment to gender equality, cultural awareness and sector integrity.

Alongside her role with the Tinaroo Rural Fire Brigade, Kylee contributes as a Community Development Officer with ECHO Empowering Services and leads cultural heritage and protection work with Gambir Yidinji. She has inspired many First Nations youth and women through her ability to move seamlessly between the office, the fireground and the community, always keeping Country and People at the centre of her work.

The judges commended Kylee as an outstanding female leader who has not only contributed to tangible change in the fire sector but continues to shape its future through her advocacy, mentorship and cultural leadership.

This award celebrates Kylee’s remarkable service, her courage and vision, and the powerful legacy she is building for women in fire and emergency services.

To learn more about Kylee’s and the growing number of Indigenous firefighters in our rural brigades, check out this ABC News article from June this year: 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-07/indigenous-women-changing-



Youth Leadership Award

Claire received the Young Leadership Award in recognition of her outstanding commitment, leadership, and service to her community through her roles with the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES).

Beginning her journey in 2021 as a cadet with the PCYC Emergency Services Cadets, she quickly distinguished herself by taking on leadership roles, mentoring younger cadets, and later transitioning to an Adult Cadet Leader. In this capacity, she played a pivotal role in establishing and developing cadet units across Roma, Highfields, and Toowoomba, with several achieving success at the annual Cadet Games.

Alongside her cadet leadership, Claire volunteers as a Rural Firefighter with the Cabarlah Rural Fire Brigade under QFES, participating in training, hazard mitigation, and community engagement. Her dedication extended further when she was appointed an Auxiliary Firefighter at the Highfields Fire and Rescue Station, where she contributes to emergency response, community safety, and professional development while supporting her leadership team. Claire’s professionalism, maturity, and passion for youth development make her a role model for emerging leaders. She has earned the respect of peers and mentors alike, leaving a lasting impact across several Queensland communities.

Her ability to lead under pressure and inspire others exemplifies the qualities recognised by the Young Leadership Award.




Champion of Change Award

Paula Douglas (QFD): Paula has been awarded the Champion of Change Award in recognition of her outstanding leadership, vision, and tireless advocacy for women in fire and emergency services.

Through her work with the Frontline Women’s Network, Workforce Development, and initiatives such as the Girls Firefighter Experience Camp and Matildas activation within the Queensland Fire Department (QFD), Paula has consistently gone above and beyond to ensure the inclusion, recognition, and consideration of women across the sector. She is known for her hands-on leadership, respect for her teams, and her ability to negotiate and drive meaningful outcomes in complex situations.

As Chair of the inaugural Girls Firefighter Experience Camp Steering Committee, Paula coordinated an unprecedented QFD program that combined operational support, technical expertise, and community engagement across the state. Despite weather challenges and other logistical hurdles, the camp was delivered successfully, providing young women and female firefighters with an immersive, empowering experience. Post event feedback showed an average rating of 9.1/10, with almost half of the participants giving a perfect score, and 100% of respondents reporting they made new connections and friendships. Participants highlighted the camp as a transformative experience, with many expressing interest in pursuing future careers in fire services.

Paula’s leadership extends beyond operational excellence. She consistently mentors and inspires women across the QFD, encouraging participation, collaboration, and professional growth. She embodies organisational values such as respect, integrity, trust, courage, and loyalty, while demonstrating the humility and authenticity that enable her to lead teams effectively and inclusively.

Her colleagues highlight her ability to combine vision with action, pragmatism with inspiration, and operational skill with cultural awareness. By creating pathways for women and fostering a safe, capable, and inclusive workforce, Paula is driving lasting change within QFD and across the sector.

WAFA commends Paula for her unwavering commitment to gender equity and inclusion, her ability to lead multifunctional teams with respect and authenticity, and her success in delivering initiatives that make a tangible difference to women in fire and emergency services. This award celebrates Paula’s remarkable contributions and her enduring impact on the workforce, the community, and the future of women in fire services.




Member Organisation ‘Diversity, Fairness and Inclusion’ award

Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) has been awarded the Diversity, Fairness and Inclusion Organisation Award, recognising its sustained work to embed diversity, equity and inclusion across its operations and workforce. FFMVic’s Diversity and Inclusion Outcomes Framework has underpinned systemic change across attraction, recruitment, retention and progression. The framework has delivered practical reforms including:

  • balanced rosters and leadership opportunities, with overseas deployments in the past two years achieving 50% female and male participation;
  • conversion of all two- and three-year seasonal contracts to five years, improving job security and supporting staff planning for parental leave;
  • longitudinal unconscious bias training for more than 300 leaders, with each committing 20 hours to the Inclusion Safety program;
  • ongoing partnership with Girls on Fire, supporting all eight Victorian events and promoting emergency management careers to young women;
  • targeted sponsorship and development programs for women aspiring to operational and executive leadership roles;
  • a commitment written into the enterprise agreement to review protective clothing and equipment, ensuring PPC/E is fit-for-purpose and safe for all staff;
  • redesign of the firefighting fleet and fitness tests to improve safety, relevance and accessibility;
  • strengthened reporting pathways for sexual harassment and discrimination, with confidential options and decisive action on serious behaviours.


The results demonstrate significant cultural and structural change:

  • Women in FFMVic’s emergency management workforce have increased from 25% in 2019 to just under 37% in 2025.
  • Women in seasonal firefighting roles have more than doubled, from 15% in 2015 to 33% in 2025.
  • Senior duty officer rosters have risen from 18% to 25% women in the past 18 months.
  • Women in deployments have grown from 29% in 2021–22 to 33% in 2024–25.
  • International deployments remain a strong reflection of workforce diversity, with 37% of last year’s deployment and 36% this year identifying as women.


Alongside the data, staff report stronger team dynamics, improved morale and a greater sense of belonging across the workforce. Senior leaders continue to model inclusive behaviours, challenging stereotypes and normalising diversity in operational and leadership roles.

The judges noted that this progress reflects deep cultural transformation rather than surface-level change. FFMVic’s willingness to share lessons at national forums and drive initiatives beyond its own organisation demonstrates its commitment to sector-wide improvement.

By embedding DEI into its core business, FFMVic is demonstrating that building a fairer and more inclusive workforce strengthens operational capability and resilience, setting a benchmark we at WAFA think should be replicated across the Sector.