2025 has been an extraordinary year for Girls on Fire. Across four states—NSW, QLD, ACT, and VIC—the organisation delivered 26 programs, engaging 612 participants and 120 volunteers. Each program offered hands-on experiences in fire, flood, and emergency preparedness, helping participants gain confidence, practical skills, and pathways into volunteering, employment, and leadership.

This year, the Girls on Fire team worked closely with a wide range of community, cultural, and emergency service partners. Programs included One-Day Programs, Frontline Futures Mentor Development, Girls Fire & Resilience Programs, Job Pathways, Cultural Inclusion Programs, Life Ready Programs, Juvenile Justice Programs, and the new Vocational Pathways Program.

Vocational Pathways Program: Class of 2025 

Participants explored careers and volunteering opportunities across emergency services, including the NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW, SES, National Parks and Wildlife, and corporate partners. Programs provided opportunities for new Australians, people working with employment agencies such as Workforce Australia, and young women to uncover new career potentials, develop leadership skills, and build resilience through real-world emergency scenarios.

Volunteers for the Life Ready Program at Northern Beaches Secondary College 

The Operations Team delivered exceptional program support throughout the year:

Bronnie Mackintosh (CEO and founder), Rebekah Lambert (Business Operations Manager), Melissa Spencer (Wellbeing Coordinator), Jenny McCosker (Finance Manager), Elle Weekley (Admin Support, former), Raigan Woodall (Admin Support, former), Paul Green (IT & Digital), Linda Allaway (Psychologist), Amanda Lamont & Jan Andrews (NAB Program Coordinators)

Keeping the Fires burning in Rawson, Victoria. 

Governance, Committees, and Leadership:

The strides we've made in governance and as a social enterprise have been guided by a remarkable group of people. 

CEO Bronnie Mackintosh with Board Chair Carlene York

Board: Our board is made up of extraordinary expertise and industry knowledge, as well as an all-round wonderful group of people in Carlene York (Chair), Amanda Leck, Rachel Byrne, Wayne Phillips, Ruth Owen, Sam Sgroi, Helen Wilkinson, Stevie-Lee Knott (Company Secretary).

Toowoomba NAB supported Girls Fire and Resilience program

We're also supported by the: 

Audit and Risk Committee: Rosemary Bonacci (Chair), Nicola Clark, Ilan Lowbeer, Libby Williams, Rebekah Lambert (Operational Representative)

Governance Committee: Helen Wilkinson (Chair), Rachel Byrne, Rebecca Carroll-Bell, Giselle Fradd, Tracey Lloyd, Rebekah Lambert (Operational Representative)

Funding and Finance Committee: Sam Sgroi (Chair), Ruth Owen (former Chair), Megan Kirby, Jenny McCosker, Lisa Wilkie, Rebekah Lambert (Operational Representative)

Riverina Job Pathways Program with Workforce Australia

The People and Programs Advisory Team (PPAT) provided vital guidance and support across all programs. PPAT members in 2025 were:

Lizette Bell, Alia Bell, Rachel Byrne, Max Cullen, Nic Fletcher, Linda Allaway, Clayton Morrison, Steve O’Malley, Shandelle Ross, Jill Williams, Vivien Thomson, Rebekah Lambert (Operational Representative), Stevie-Lee Knott across Experiential Learning, Emergency Services, Inclusion and Diversity, Youth Engagement, and Wellbeing and Mental Health.

NAB supported Girls Fire and Resilience Program, Bangholme Victoria

Sponsors and Supporters 

Girls on Fire wouldn’t be where it is today without the continued support of the NAB Foundation. Thank you to Soraya, Emily, Gulay and Kate, our NAB skilled volunteers – Maddy, Rosemary, Ella and ALL the NAB champions who volunteered at programs throughout the year.

Malcolm from International Towers continued annual donations to Girls on Fire help us bring in a bright new year.  

We’re also very thankful to RIEP, EPP, and Northern Beaches Secondary College for continuing to purchase our programs. And from the interest shown by Workforce Australia (Riverina), Murray River Council, and others.

We’re also a proud recipient of the Investing in Women grant from the NSW Government. And the SEDI grant (Social Enterprise Development Initiative) run by the Australian Government's Department of Social Services (DSS).

Girls on Fire would also like to acknowledge in-kind support from Chubb Fire & Security, Motorola, Ampol, PCYC, and FCLawyers – Zoe Naylor – Probono Legal Support.

How would you describe Girls on Fire? 

We couldn’t do what we do without agency support 

That includes:

New South Wales (NSW)

• Fire and Rescue NSW
• NSW Rural Fire Service
• NSW State Emergency Service
• NSW Ambulance
• NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
• Forestry / Forest Fire Management authorities
• Ventia

Victoria (VIC)

• Fire Rescue Victoria
• Country Fire Authority
• Forest Fire Management Victoria
• Victoria State Emergency Service
• Ambulance Victoria

Queensland (QLD)

• Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
• Queensland State Emergency Service
• Queensland Ambulance Service
• Queensland Parks and Forest Fire Management
• Queensland Police

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

• ACT Fire and Rescue
• ACT Rural / Bushfire Fire Service
• ACT State Emergency Service
• ACT Ambulance Service
• ACT Parks and Forestry / Bushfire Management

National / Federal / Aviation / Contracted Services

• Airservices Australia

ACT Girls Fire and Resilience program 

2025 Impact in Numbers:

• 612 participants
• 120 volunteers
• 26 programs
• 4 states (NSW, QLD, ACT, VIC)

Some results in a snapshot  

• 4.0/5 rating from 95.7% of mentors
• 27% of girls considering a fire & emergency career
• 90% of mentors feel confident; 30% very confident
• 76% of participants understand how preparedness reduces impact
• 65% know what to do in an emergency
• 59% know about smoke alarms and escape plans
• 54–63% confident to call 000 and apply first aid
• 44% learned airway management and recovery position

Dungog Girls Fire and Resilience program 

This year’s programs have helped participants step into their confidence, explore meaningful careers, and connect with emergency services and their communities. Mentors and volunteers have been essential in guiding participants, supporting program delivery, and building a replicable model for future expansion.

Want to know more? Stay tuned for our first ever annual report!

What’s happening in 2026?

Girls on Fire is already planning 2026 programs across new locations. Organisations, councils, and community partners interested in bringing a program to their region are encouraged to get in touch.

To be part of creating resilient communities, contact Girls on Fire today and book a program for 2026.