On August 12th and 13th, sixty young people, 30 mentors, and volunteers, and the Girls on Fire team came together to learn, lead, and build confidence in fire, emergency, and resilience skills.
The Girls on Fire Fire and Resilience Program brought students from 15 schools across Toowoomba together for two days of hands-on learning, teamwork, and connection. Big thanks to NAB and our partners – QLD RFS, QLD Fire & Rescue, QLD Parks & Wildlife, QLD Police, QLD Ambulance, Air Services, and other community organisations – for making it happen.
Day one was all about mentors. Seventeen mentors joined the induction day to prepare for the program. They explored team building, facilitation, inclusion, safety, and youth empowerment. By the end of the day, mentors were feeling confident, inspired, and ready to guide the participants.
Day two was the main event. Thirty students rotated through a variety of hands-on activities, including:
Alongside the practical activities, participants joined sessions on superpowers, teamwork, confidence, and leadership, plus social activities like group introductions, photo opportunities, and certificates to celebrate their achievements.
Participants gained practical skills they can use at home and in the community, including:
Many students left feeling proud, fit, and confident. Some are now exploring cadet programs, volunteering opportunities, or careers in emergency services.
Mentors loved seeing participants grow in confidence and teamwork, learning from emergency services professionals, and connecting across agencies. While they suggested small improvements for logistics and role clarity, everyone agreed the program was highly valuable.
Local leaders also visited, including Toowoomba Mayor Geoff McDonald and Federal Member for Groom, Garth Hamilton MP, and the program received coverage on ABC Southern QLD and Channel 7 Toowoomba.
Two days, lots of learning, and a room full of sparks ready to shine. Thanks to NAB and all our partners, the Toowoomba Girls on Fire program showed just how much young people can achieve when they’re given the skills, guidance, and confidence to lead.
Toowoomba Mayor Geoff McDonald.
Federal Member for Groom, Garth Hamilton MP.
We’ve got a hot October and November program planned! Stay close to the EVENTS page and the newsletter for details.
On July 9, 91 people united at Bangholme for the largest ever Girls on Fire Fire and Resilience Program. Explore this unforgettable day of courage, learning, and community-led resilience. Find out what happened now.
What happens when you bring emergency professionals together with the shared goal of helping young people learn their craft? You build a movement! Find out how.
Find out how we're preparing young people for the risks they face in every corner of Australia with local challenges in mind across urban, regional, bushfire, and flood prone areas.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live. Girls on Fire pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.
