CFA members proudly participated in the 30th anniversary Pride March in St Kilda in support of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The contingent of 27 was led along Fitzroy Street by Matilda Mercury, aka Matt Jackson, from our Wellbeing Team and Carly Ficheroux and Catherine Knapp from Morwell Fire Brigade in gold-sequined yellows.
Fiona Howell from Darnum & Ellinbank Fire Brigade travelled down to St Kilda to represent her family, including husband Steve, son Lachie and his partner Sorabh.
"As a mum and CFA operational member, along with my husband Steve, I wanted to show our support for our son and his partner and everyone else on their journey from where they have come from, until now and into the future,” Fiona said.
“We all know it's certainly not an easy road to travel and we just wanted to walk in this march to let our son, his partner, their friends and everyone out there in the LGBTQIA+ community who are going through their own journeys, that we are there for them and support them 100 per cent.
“Also, it was great to represent CFA and all the members and people who work there, that are part of this community."
CFA’s parade participants have also been turning out to recent incidents across the state, including Leigh Dwyer who has been driving a pumper to help the efforts in the west of the state.
Community is what CFA is all about. Our ability to engage the Victorians in fire preparedness, response and in the recovery after an event, is critical. CFA needs to be innovative in our approach by attracting and support people with different ideas, a range of abilities, and various ways of thinking to tackle the challenges we may have ahead.
Diversity is at the heart of CFA, reflecting the communities we serve and protect. We are fortunate to have a rich mix of members who are LGBTQIA+, from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, different abilities, faiths, genders, and experiences - all of whom contribute to our mission of protecting lives and property.
CFA firefighter Leigh Dwyer planned to attend the March but couldn't because of operational commitments-
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The Howell family
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| Submitted by |
Brad Stephensen |