I have spent a lot of time with likable sexist guys this week [1]. As a feminist, many of you would be quick to suggest that is an oxymoron. Let me explain. Most of the guys in my brigade are gold. They are friendly and practical ‘Aussie blokes’ who have a good sense of humour and are quick to help out wherever needed. Some of them went out of their way to let me and my fellow brigade members know, on more than one occasion this week, that my safety is their priority (as we pulled up to yet another potentially life-threatening call-out). A number of these guys have spent the majority of their lives living in small rural Australian communities, most have spent their careers working in male-do
A core value of the Rural Fire Service (RFS) is support, friendship and camaraderie. Until this last week, I have never experienced camaraderie with Australian men aged over 50 in my life – it has been awesome. These are guys I have risked my life beside, and trusted with my life multiple times. I have no doubt they will be friends of mine for life now. For a 32-year-old woman, that is a rare gift and I am grateful. I have spent the last week fighting the Currowan bushfire as part of my local RFS brigade. The fire is more than 82,000 hectares and is burning between Batemans Bay and Ulladulla and has progressed through the Budawang National Park and to the east of Braidwood. As I write this t
The idea of a ‘double bottom line’ is so tidy it sometimes seems unrealistic. But the future of women’s participation in STEM presents an example of where what’s good for business is also in the best interest of the social good. This blog post explores the social implications of women’s under-representation in STEM in Australia and how employers can be part of the solution. It’s commonly believed that technological disruption, automation and digitization will significantly change the nature of future work. In this anticipated future it’s predicted that workers with advanced technical, math and science skills will be in demand. In this bifurcated workforce those who have technical skills will
