AUSTRALIAN
FIRE SERVICE MEDAL
CITATION
Kathryn Elizabeth GILLHAM (Kate)
Kathryn (Kate) GILLHAM has made
a significant contribution to the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) since commencing
in November 2003 as a volunteer firefighter with the Campania Volunteer Fire
Brigade.
Kate has held several
operational leadership roles within the Campania Brigade as the 2nd and 3rd Officer and
Permit Officer since 2018. Kate became the Brigade Chief of the Brigade in
2021, a position she still holds continually providing outstanding leadership
to her Brigade. Kate is highly regarded for her leadership qualities and
operational proficiency, not only within her Brigade but across the East Coast
District and the TFS. Kate has also been
a stalwart of the TFS Junior and Cadet Program and the Junior and Cadet
Coordinator for the Campania Brigade since 2009. Kate’s commitment to this
program has developed many young firefighters that have gone on to become adult
volunteers within the TFS, providing significant benefit to both her Brigade
and community.
As the coordinator of the
Junior Development Day, Kate saw the opportunity to expand this into the adult
firefighters of the Brigade and in 2023 after a nine-year absence she
reinstated the East Coast Field Day. This provided the opportunity for the adult
members of the district to come together, compete in preparedness and team
building activities strengthening relationships across the district. The day
was a great success with 10 crews competing. Kate also included the recently
formed State Emergency Service (SES) crew from Sorell, building relationships
that provide significant benefit to both the TFS and the SES. Kate has also
played an important role in leadership development across the broader TFS as a
facilitator on Fireline Leadership Courses delivered to career and volunteer
firefighters. Kate supported the lead trainers during this program over many
years drawing on her experience and respect across the organisation. Across
over 20 years of service to the TFS and the Tasmanian community Kate has always
met the TFS values of service, professionalism, integrity, and consideration
with her service being recognised with the National Medal, National Emergency
Medal 2019-20, and the 15-year TFS Long service badge.