MELBOURNE, VIC. — On Wednesday, September 23, CFA volunteer Kathryn Williams was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women at a ceremony at Melbourne’s Arts Centre.
Kathryn, a member of the Mossi-Tambo Fire Brigade, was joined by 27 other women and gender diverse people in being inducted into the Honour Roll, which recognises women who show remarkable leadership and excellence in their field of expertise, interest, or endeavour and a commitment to the community.
Nominated by CFA District Business Manager, Vanessa McLeod, Kathryn was successful in being inducted into the Local Champion category.
Since joining the CFA in 2015, Kathryn has been a transformative force for women across District 11 and beyond.
In 2021, she became the only woman Deputy Group Officer in District 11 and soon after, she became the first woman District Planning Committee Chair.
Vanessa said Kathryn champions structural reforms, especially in programs that build capability and confidence for women
“East Gippsland now has 50 per cent female representation in the Tambo Group Management Team, and there was close to equal male/female participation in strike team deployment in 2025/26,” Vanessa said.
“This reflects the sustained structural change that Kathryn has helped create.
By coupling culture change with operational competence, her leadership leaves a durable architecture of people, processes and partnerships that strengthens community preparedness and recovery for the long term.”
Through her work with CFA’s Women’s Advisory Committee, Kathryn co-developed a state-wide Women in Leadership Mentoring Program in 2022.
In 2024, she spoke at the Australian Fire Agencies Conference about the success of the program in fostering diversity and empowering women.
Kathryn said she was honoured to have been nominated and inducted onto the roll.
“I do what I do to give back to the community that has given me so much,” Kathryn said.
“It is incredibly humbling to be recognised this way, but there are so many people who have supported me on this journey, and I am so thankful I have been able to pour my passion into CFA and get these results for women in CFA.”
Deputy Chief Officer for the South East Region Trevor Owen said it was a huge achievement.
“Kathryn embodies what it means to be a local champion,” Trevor said.
“She is a woman who has changed not only the landscape for current female CFA members but has built structures, culture, and programs that will support future generations.
“She challenges stereotypes daily, leads with authenticity and courage, and continues to create meaningful, long-term change across the emergency services sector in Victoria.”
