Avenel CFA’s first female captain inherits a ‘well-oiled machine’

By Bianca Hall

Jun 23, 2023

Changing tides: Catherine McAllister will take up the role of captain on July 1.

Catherine McAllister never had plans to jump on a fire truck.

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She joined the CFA six years ago to fill the role of secretary.

But one thing led to another and on July 1 she will be stepping up as captain of the Avenel CFA.

Dedicated and well-respected captain of 22 years Dave Keamy will step down as Avenel CFA enters a new era.

“He will stay on as first lieutenant for the first term to show me the ropes, which is great,” Ms McAllister said.

“He has done an amazing job, he is handing over a well-oiled machine here. It’s a great brigade to be a part of... Everyone knows what they are doing, everything is up to date.”

Secretary Tom Newton is also stepping down after 36 years in the job.

“There are a few changes coming through, we’ve got a few younger ones stepping up and taking responsibility as lieutenants as well, which is good,” Ms McAllister said.

Ms McAllister’s journey to becoming captain has been one of gathering momentum. Having become a mentee in the CFA women in leadership mentor program in November, she was unaware of Mr Keamy’s plans to step down.

“Because I was a lieutenant myself and wanted to learn more about the leadership side of the CFA,” Ms McAllister said.

“Dave said to me at the end of December, early January, ‘I’m think of stepping down this year... would you like to take it on?’”

Although the role comes with great responsibility, Ms McAllister is confident in her team.

“The guys here are all very supportive. It’s a big job but with this brigade I don’t think it’s going to be a huge issue, I’ve got a good group here,” she said.

“We are all pretty close-knit, I wouldn’t have met half the people that are part of this brigade if I hadn’t joined, it’s been a good thing.”

A single mother with two children, aged 11 and 12, Ms McAllister has her hands full.

“I’m always busy, but I love it,” she said.

“I’ve got friends that will pick up the kids from school if I’m out on a call... So I couldn’t do what I do without the community that we have here.”

Both of her kids are also junior CFA members.

A beautiful example of finding strength in community, Ms McAllister encourages anyone who is interested to take the leap and get involved.

“We are always needing more members. Every volunteer organisation does,” she said.

“We will never knock anyone back who wants to come down and see what it’s all about, it doesn’t have to be a firefighting position... That’s where I started.”