Local CFA commander recognised at awards
Division nine CFA Commander and Yarragon South local Emma Conway has been recognised at the biennial Spirit of CFA Awards.
Ms Conway, who has been a member of the CFA for 15 years, was nominated by Acting Deputy Chief Officer Glenn Pröbstl, who described her as "an amazing role model and leader."
He said Ms Conway represents the organisation's values in all the work she does and leads with "genuine heart and passion."
"Since achieving the rank of Commander (previously Operations Officer), Emma has devoted her time and energy to assisting members and brigades in South East Region," Acting DCO Pröbstl said.
"Emma is a highly respected leader by staff and volunteers alike, who has spent a significant amount of time performing higher duties as Assistant Chief Fire Officer in District 10, where she made significant advancements."
Ms Conway has spent time contributing to the Captains Peer Mentoring Program and the Commander Development Program, and DCO Pröbstl said she is passionate about helping members grow.
The Baw Baw Shire local joined the CFA after serving in the Australian Navy for 12 years. She said the CFA is where her heart is, and she values the culture, history and meaning of the organisation.
"While I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Navy, it was quite isolating at times with no connection to community," she said.
"CFA epitomises community, with volunteers taking so much from their brigades back into their communities. This was something I wanted to be part of, as connection to the community is so important for me."
Ms Conway said the most rewarding part of her job is working with the volunteers.
"My role is to develop capability and capacity of volunteer fire brigades," she explained.
"CFA is very much about the community and one of the things I really enjoy seeing is the members of the brigade taking the skills and the knowledge that they get from CFA back into their communities."
Ms Conway said she found out she had been nominated while on holidays when she checked her email and saw an invitation to the Spirit of CFA Awards.
She said one of the best things about getting to attend the awards was being able to connect with other CFA members after a couple of years of isolation.
"It was lovely to be there with people all over the state... so that was nice, to feel a bit more connected to the broader CFA."
"I was certainly very humbled to be nominated, there's certainly a lot of incredible leaders in the CFA, so to be singled out is a huge deal - especially for an award like this."
Ms Conway said it is very important to acknowledge that leaders are often the ones that are acknowledged, however, it's the people that work with them that allow them to achieve what they do.
"I must acknowledge the people I've worked with across districts nine, 10, and 27," she said.
"The ongoing work that they are doing in really challenging times and the courage, energy and enthusiasm that they demonstrate."