At Girls on Fire, we know the difference volunteers make. They give their time, their energy, and their expertise – all to help young people step into their power.

This year, the theme of Volunteer Week is Connecting Communities. This is a theme central to the Girls on Fire mission. We're connecting communities to support and future volunteers through our training, plus connecting with hundreds of fantastic volunteers throughout the country. We're also connecting communities to the disaster preparedness message, something that each of our volunteers believes strongly in. Plus, we're connecting people of all ages through meaningful volunteering. We're really lucky to meet the great young people and seasoned professionals that give their time, experience, and energy to what we do. 

This Volunteer Week, we’re saying thank you to the people who light the way. 

Volunteers are the heartbeat of Girls on Fire

From rolling out hoses to offering a listening ear, our volunteers do so much more than show up. They create safety. They build confidence. They show what’s possible.

Girls on Fire isn’t just about learning how to handle an emergency – it’s about lighting a fire within. Our programs build confidence, spark aspirations, and create real connections in communities where career options are limited, and isolation can hit hard – especially for young women and diverse youth.

Volunteers are the reason our programs leave a lasting mark.

You help young people grow into strong leaders. You share real-world skills and life experience. You model what it means to show up, speak up, and support others.

We couldn’t do this without you.

A community-powered model

What makes our approach different is that it’s co-delivered with emergency services and built for full participation.

That means young people don’t just sit and listen – they suit up, train, and get stuck in. They learn practical emergency response skills from real professionals and volunteers. They ask questions. They make mistakes. They try again. And they walk away braver for it.

We’re proud to partner with:

Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, Forestry Corporation NSW, NSW SES, VRA, National Parks and Wildlife Service, CFA VIC, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, Emergency Management Victoria, Queensland Reconstruction Authority, Sunshine Coast Airport, and PCYC Queensland.

You bring a lot of things to these events, but most of all, you bring the belief that young people can make a difference.

With your support, our programs are more than a day away from school. They are functional fire camps that teach young people how to keep their homes and families safe, and what it means to participate in disaster preparedness, prevention, management, and recovery.

We’re building eight-week vocational pathways and employment-ready models to help our participants step into real roles in emergency services and community leadership that are successful because you give these young people something to aspire to.

That growth brings complexity. But with the right people beside us, we know it’s possible.

Grounded in culture and guided by purpose

We want to thank our cultural advisors, Peter Jensen and Burra McHughes, for keeping us connected to Country and reminding us that true resilience comes from community, culture and care.

And to our board – thank you for your leadership and belief in where we’re headed.

Thank you to the schools, too!

We also want to recognise the teachers, careers advisors and principals who champion Girls on Fire from within schools. You’re already juggling full plates, yet you still find time to help us get the message out and support students to take part. On the day, you show up, helping look after students, encouraging them to give things a go, and creating a sense of safety and support. Your belief in your students and your commitment to opening up new opportunities makes a huge difference. We see your effort, and we’re grateful for it.

This week – and every week – we celebrate you

To every volunteer, agency partner, advisor and supporter: thank you.

Thank you for being generous with your time, your wisdom, and your heart.
Thank you for standing with young people.

Thank you for helping Girls on Fire be what it is today!