RFSA Goulburn Mulwaree Branch

🚨 Hurry! Time is running out! 🚨 Applications for the RFSA Professional Development Scholarships are closing on October 15th.

These scholarships provide a great opportunity to enhance your skills with a degree, certificate or even short-course.

Julie Kennedy, recipient of a 2022 President's Scholarship, participated in a two-day ‘Access Easy English’ course, where she learned techniques for crafting documents that can be easily understood by those with limited literacy.

Julie shares, "RFSA Scholarships are an opportunity not to be missed, and I'm grateful to the RFSA for accepting me. Now that I am retired, I can dedicate my time to producing our educational material.

“Currently, I'm working on an easy speak AIDER program flyer that will explain to people with limited literacy what the AIDER program is all about."

If you're eager to enhance your skills like Julie, don’t miss your chance and apply today!

Volunteers and staff are eligible to apply. Successful candidates will need to enrol in their chosen course within 18 months from the date of scholarship notification.

Application form:https://www.rfsa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Professional-Developments-Scholarship-Application-Form-2023.pdf

Applicants are encouraged to read the Professional Development Scholarship Policy:https://www.rfsa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/RFSA-Professional-Development-Scholarships-2020.pdf

📷 Julie Kennedy and RFSA President Scott Campbell

RFSA CONFERENCE 2023 – EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST OPEN

RFSA Conference 2023 is being held from Friday 2 - Sunday 4 June 2023.

The RFSA is sponsoring members to attend via an EOI process.

Click this link to complete your EOI by Monday 13 February - https://arinex.eventsair.com/rfsa2023/form/Site/Register

For further information and key dates, please visit the RFSA Conference 2023 website - www.rfsaconference.org.au

Just in time for the holidays, the RFSA 2023 Calendar is available now!

This square wall calendar brings you 12 months of beautiful New South Wales landscapes, from sea to outback.

Proceeds from sales go directly to the RFSA to help fund programs for our members.

The calendar covers 12 months and all major Public Holidays and 2023 School Term dates for Australian and New Zealand Public Schools.

Available now for $20 in all leading newsagents, with a limited number available through the RFSA Shop // https://www.rfsa.org.au/shop/rfsa-calendar-2023/

Applications Open - Sail on the Young Endeavour! ⛵️

Gary Barton Memorial Youth Scholarship.

The RFSA is grateful to the late Gary Barton for a generous bequest. As Division 5 Chair, Gary was a distinguished member of the RFSA State Council, where he advocated with passion on behalf of fellow members and was always concerned for the welfare of firefighters.

Gary’s passion was the development of youth throughout the state. President Scott Campbell is proud to establish a new youth scholarship in Gary’s honour.

Each year, from 2023, a young member will be sponsored for a trip on the STS Young Endeavour, a modern sailing ship. No sailing experience is required, and participation will be an amazing experience.

Applications will be open to RFSA members between the ages of 18 and 23 who also fulfil the Young Endeavour eligibility criteria. Members who are 17 years of age may also apply, but will only be considered for placement on a voyage that commences after they have turned 18.

Applications will close on 31 January 2023. Click the link to download the application form //https://www.rfsa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Young-Endeavour-Application-Form.pdf

Young Endeavour eligibility criteria // https://youngendeavour.gov.au/how-to-apply

EOIs open – Scholarship and Constitutional Review committees

The RFSA is renewing the membership of some of our internal committees, and we are currently calling for expressions of interest from members to be a part of our Professional Development Scholarships (4 positions) and Constitutional Review (2 positions) Committees.

These positions are open to all RFSA members, so if you think you’ve got experience that would be useful in one of these roles, please submit an EOI from the links below.

If you want to discuss what’s involved or get any further information, please send us a message or call the office on 4723 3400.

EOIs close on 16 December.

Professional Development Scholarships EOI –https://www.rfsa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Professional-Development-Scholarships-Committee.pdf

Constitutional Review Committee EOI –https://www.rfsa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Constitutional-Review-Committee.pdf

Crews from NSW RFS Southern Tablelands Zone are just some of the members who have travelled to assist flood-affected communities. These crews are working in the Mid Murray area, assisting the NSW SES with sandbagging and clean-up operations. While there will be many weeks of hard work still to come, we wanted to say thank you to our members, their families and employers for their ongoing efforts and support.

📷 NSW RFS Southern Tablelands Zone

RFSA Family Day at National Zoo & Aquarium - Canberra! 🐅🦒🐠

We would love to see you and your family at our RFSA Family Day on Sunday, 23 October 2022 from 10am - 4pm.

RFSA Family Days are held to thank our members (volunteers and staff of the RFS) and their families for their efforts in supporting and protecting their communities.

It is open to all RFS members and their families.

Registration for the family day includes:
• Free entry into the venue
• Ice Cream
• Tea & Coffee
• Catered Lunch
• RFSA Shop & Membership Services
• NSW RFS Wellbeing Specialists and Chaplains

Register early as space is limited. Please RSVP by Thursday, 13 October 2022.

We hope you’re able to join us!

For more details and to register your attendance please click here // https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/rfsa-family-day-national-zoo-and-aquarium-registration-403783546457

RFSA News Issue 70

Stories this issue include:

• Members of the Year awarded;
• RFSA sponsors Community Engagement Conference;
• Learning about cultural burning in Canada;
• Treating volunteers fairly – RFSA demands workers compensation changes.

Read it athttps://www.rfsa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/RFSA-News-Issue-70-web.pdf

The following is shared on behalf of the NSW RFS.

HAVE YOUR SAY AND HELP IMPROVE THE DESIGN OF FIRE APPLICANCES.

The NSW RFS is working with the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) to improve the protection of firefighters through the better design of fire appliances.

Over the past 18 months, MUARC has been conducting a detailed analysis of the NSW RFS vehicle fleet, as well as safety-related data, to help identify key risks that will be used to focus the design of suitable solutions.

It has now reached the next key stage of the project and the NSW RFS is seeking input from members on vehicle safety via an online survey. This is a critical component of informing how the Service designs vehicles and safety systems and all members are encouraged to take part and share their experiences.

Take the survey: https://tinyurl.com/RFS-survey

The survey will close on 15 June 2022.

If you have any questions about the survey or need technical support, please contact the research team via Christine Mulvihill, lead researcher, at [email protected] or 03 9905 4367.

Are you receiving your copy of the RFSA News? The April edition should be in your email now! Happy reading!

We would love to see members and their families join us at our upcoming Volunteers' Family Day at Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo.

The family day is on Sunday 1 May 2022 from 9am until 4pm.

It is open to all NSW RFS members and their families.

Registration for the day includes:
• Free entry into the venue
• Ice Cream
• Tea & Coffee
• Catered Lunch
• RFSA Shop & Membership Services
• NSW RFS Wellbeing Specialists and Chaplains

Space is limited so please register early through the link below. RSVP by 21 April 2022.

For more details and to register // https://dubbofamilyday.eventbrite.com.au

The NSW Government is currently offering Stay Vouchers which can be used to assist with accommodation expenses. In addition, eligible households can also apply for the Parents NSW Voucher.

More information on the vouchers and how to apply can be found here // https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/vouchers-and-support/stay-voucher

Today we acknowledge the key role women play across the NSW RFS and RFSA. Women who have been on the frontline this past week assisting their communities recover from catastrophic floods. Women who are there every summer protecting homes from major fires. Women who are behind the scenes coordinating logistics and support, and women who are at their local brigade shed organising training and support for fellow members. You are a crucial part of our organisations and communities.

This year, the theme for International Women’s Day is ‘Break the Bias’ and we encourage all members to actively call out gender bias, discrimination and stereotyping. Today we say THANK YOU to our female firies for the tremendous work you do.

📷: The women of Tarago RFB celebrating International Women’s Day (L-R) Josephine Church, Leanne Harmer, Caroline Marsh, Jacqui Henderson and Ainslee French.
Photographer: Noel Henderson

The Static Water Supply (SWS) Program is a free service that enables residents to help local firefighters by identifying existing water supplies (such as dams, tanks or swimming pools) on their property that could be used for firefighting purposes.
The NSW Rural Fire Service provides specially designed SWS signs for properties with suitable water supplies. This helps firefighters access vital water supplies quickly and efficiently to help them defend your property. 🔥🚒

If you wish to be part of the SWS program please contact the Southern Tablelands Office on 6226 3100 or [email protected]

www.rfs.nsw.gov.au

REMINDER

Goulburn Mulwaree Branch AGM will be held on Wednesday 19 January.

Election for Chair, Deputy Chair, Secretary, Delegate(s) will be held at this meeting.

Members wishing to attend are asked to be fully vaccinated, wear a suitable face mask, social distance & adhere to any & all COVID rules.

Zoom will be offered however we encourage members to attend in person where possible to facilitate the election process (zoom voting options to be discussed & approved at the meeting prior to the election).

Date: Wednesday 19 January 2022
Time: 7pm
Location: Goulburn Fire Control Centre, Combermere St Goulburn
Zoom: Details on Division 7 Group

RFS MEMORIAL GARDEN

As mentioned in the Commissioner’s ebulletin today, the Memorial Garden is being constructed in partnership with NSW RFSA.

Catch up on the latest from the RFSA with Issue 68 of the RFSA News.

Stories this issue include:

• Introducing the Spirit of Us;
• RFSA Professional Development Scholarships awarded;
• Supporting mental health;
• The new Consultative Committees.

Read online // www.rfsa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/RFSA-News-Issue-68_WEB.pdf

Attached is Division 7 December update.

Please contact your branch or division if your brigade would like to submit a grant or if you have any issues you would like raised.

On behalf of RFSA Goulburn Mulwaree Branch, Division 7, Directors & Staff Merry Christmas & a Safe & Happy 2022

https://indd.adobe.com/view/31c27768-5e9d-41a2-8e16-5fc05a4a7753

December Div 7 Update Volume 1 Number 3

HAVE YOUR SAY!

Following the recent restructure of RFS Headquarters, changes to the structure of the Consultative Committees have been confirmed.

The 2022-23 Committees are:

• Vibrant & Sustainable Membership
• Research, Innovation & Technology
• Service Delivery, Readiness & Agility
• Resilient Communities & Valued Partnerships

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are still open for delegates to join the NSW RFS / RFSA Consultative Committees for the next two years (2022-23).

The EOI form and more details are available here // https://www.rfsa.org.au/consultative-committee-structure-confirmed

EOIs should be submitted no later than Friday 3 December.

WEBINAR RECORDING NOW ONLINE

The RFSA recently partnered with Mentality Plus Director, Craig Semple to deliver two 'Growing through Adversity' resilience sessions.

Craig was a popular speaker at RFSA Conference 2018, with his compelling presentation of his own experiences in the emergency services sector and his insights on mental health support and resilience.

'Growing Through Adversity' provides practical tools and methods to help take back control during challenging situations and times of adversity.

If you were unable to make the live broadcast, or simply want to re-watch the webinar, the session is now available for members to view here* // www.rfsa.org.au/growing-through-adversity-webinar

* Video available to RFSA members only. You will need to login to the member portal of the RFSA website to view. If it is your first visit to the new RFSA website you will need to create a new user login. The video is located at the bottom of your member portal home page. This video will be available online until 30/11/2021.

Catch up on the latest from the RFSA with Issue 67 of the RFSA News.

Stories this issue include:

• Introducing the new RFSA State Board;
• Volunteers help with COVID relief;
• Firefighter remembered with Avenue of Honour;
• RFSA Grants.

Read online // https://www.rfsa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/RFSA-News-Issue-67-web.pdf

Just a reminder of the Goulburn Mulwaree Branch meeting is tonight at Goulburn FCC at 7pm. Zoom details are available via email to [email protected]
Covid regulations Currently are Face to face for fully vaxed only.

The first of October is the official start of the fire season – and it means more areas will start their Bush Fire Danger Period.

If you’re planning on using fire on your property, you’ll need a permit during the Bush Fire Danger Period. Permits are free and easy to get.

Don’t be the fire risk to your community. Know the rules on safe burning and check www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/BFDP