To celebrate National Volunteer Week (13-19 May), CFA is saying “thanks a million” to its volunteers, families and employers for everything they do. This week we will feature a series of profile stories to highlight the great work and diversity of our volunteer members.
There’s not much Melbourne’s CBD and CFA share in common but there are many parallels for Thomas Dawe.
By day, Thomas works in the multimedia team handling broadcast operations at Federation Square and by night and in his spare time, he volunteers with CFA.
The 29-year-old moved to the Dandenong Ranges in 2009 when he started volunteering with Gembrook Fire Brigade, where he said the support and camaraderie were fantastic. He’s recently moved to Emerald where he plans to volunteer again once family commitments allow.
“We were new to the area before that, we came from Brunswick, but volunteering is also a bit of a family tradition as I’m originally from Albury where my dad was involved with the RFS for many years,” Thomas said.
“My partner and I have always done a bit of community work and CFA is another way to be engaged with your community and to give something back.”
Although Thomas lives more than an hour away from where he works, he said his employer is more than supportive of his volunteering.
“They’re always understanding and accommodating if at short notice I have to come in late the next day because I’ve been out all night attending a job,” Thomas said.
He said he’s also utilised Federations Square’s dedicated ‘Volunteer Leave’ when he’s attended community education events for CFA.
“There’s many parallels in working here at Fed Square and volunteering for CFA – they both share common goals in delivering services to and for the community,” Thomas said.
“Supporting our community is at the heart of Fed Square’s purpose and so it makes perfect sense to support our team members in their community volunteering,” Spokesperson for Fed square Jane Sydenham-Clarke added.
- Story by Kayla Maskell
See also:
Wheels turning for CFA volunteers
Grateful home owner says thanks
At Kapish, understanding is key
Volunteers welcomed back to work
CFA family in every sense
Doing more for Cashmore
Thanks for Tullamore due
Plenty of support for CFA
Boral builds support for CFA vols
Cohuna Car Sales revs up volunteers
On CFA's menu of top employers
KS Build OK with volunteers
Free to fly
Teacher gives volunteering lesson
Getting the truck out at Mt Camel
Work volunteer balance at Bega
Diamond shines for CFA
GippsAero supports volunteers
Employer is Matt's knight in armour
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Author: CFA Media