Every year, thousands of fires burn throughout Western Australia. Bushfires account for the highest number of fires attended to by both career and volunteer firefighters.
Currently, over 75% of the 26,000 firefighters in Western Australia are Bushfire Volunteers, yet there are still many people out there today who don’t even know that they exist, let alone know about the sacrifices they make daily to look after their local community.
Change needs to happen, their stories are ready to be heard and we’re here to tell them.
Browse and listen to all episodes of The Unpaid Professionals below.
Unpaid Professionals – Jenelle Parkinson – Myalup Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
This week, we share an interview with Jenelle Parkinson, a member of Myalup Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade. Jenelle shares some of her personal story about how, as a single mother of young children, her parents encouraged her [...]
Unpaid Professionals – Ed Bland – Bridgetown Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
This week, we share an interview with Ed Bland, a member of Bridgetown Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade, Fire Control Officer (FCO), and fire intelligence officer for the Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes. Ed is also the Chair of Bushfire [...]
Unpaid Professionals – Fred and Judy Talbot – Roelands/Olive-Hill Combined VBFB
This week, we share an interview with Fred and Judy Talbot, two long term members of the Roelands/Olive-Hill Combined Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade (VBFB) in the Shire of Harvey. Both Judy and Fred share some of the [...]
Unpaid Professionals – Phil Penny – Yarloop and Cookernup VBFB
Unpaid Professionals - Phil Penny (Yarloop & Cookernup Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades, Shire of Harvey) This week, we share an interview with Phil Penny, a member of both Yarloop & Cookernup Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade(s) [...]
Unpaid Professionals – Jen Armitage – Harvey Brunswick Leschenault Football Club
Jen Armitage - Harvey Brunswick Leschenault, Harvey This week, we share a special bonus interview with Jen Armitage, who was the President of the Harvey Brunswick Leschenault Football Club, in the Shire of Harvey at [...]
Unpaid Professionals – Mick Papalia – Leschenault VBFB, Shire of Harvey
Mick Papalia Photo: West Australian Newspapers This week, we share an interview with Mick Papalia, the current Captain of the Leschenault Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade (VBFB) in the Shire of Harvey. Mick became involved in [...]
Unpaid Professionals – Bev Seeney – Somerset Hill VBFB, Denmark
This week, we share an interview with Bev Seeney, a volunteer from the Somerset Hill Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade (VBFB) in the Shire of Denmark. Bev joined her local brigade when she first moved to Denmark, and [...]
Background: Who are the Unpaid Professionals?
Welcome to the Unpaid Professionals, a fortnightly podcast where we will be sharing the real stories of the different members of the 560+ Western Australian Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades with you and delving into what it is [...]
Introduction: What is Bushfire Volunteers?
Bushfire Volunteers is the nonprofit peak body that is the united voice for 560+ Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades in Western Australia. Our mission is to represent the volunteer Members of Bush Fire Brigades a cross the state [...]
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