Macclesfield CFA captain, Sharon Kennelly-Merritt’s unwavering commitment to the CFA has earned her the prestigious Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours.
After nearly three decades of service to both CFA and her local community, Ms Kennelly-Merritt’s recognition is a testament to the profound impact she’s made on firefighting, animal rescue, and leadership in the CFA.
Joining the CFA in 1996 as a volunteer firefighter, Ms Kennelly-Merritt’s journey has been one of remarkable growth and dedication.
Her passion for firefighting was sparked years before she officially joined, when she saw a brigade respond to a fire near her previous home.
“I saw a brigade turn out to a fire where I was living before, and it looked like fun. I thought, yeah, I’d like to do that,” she said.
Despite initial hesitations about joining a predominantly male-dominated field, Ms Kennelly-Merritt’s determination led her to Macclesfield Fire Brigade, where she would soon become the first woman to hold the role of captain in the Dandenong Ranges Group.
“At first, I thought, ‘There’ll be a lot of blokes, and they won’t want a woman,’” she said. But with time and courage, Ms Kennelly-Merritt became an integral part of the brigade, going on to lead it for over 21 years.
Her leadership style is built on trust and empowerment, believing in giving control to her team members.
“I really believe in letting members take control of areas they’re passionate about or have expertise in,” Ms Kennelly-Merritt said.
“I try not to micromanage, let them take charge and run with it.”
Her commitment to leadership has not only shaped the brigade’s culture but has also doubled the number of women firefighters within Macclesfield Fire Brigade.
Ms Kennelly-Merritt’s mentorship has inspired a new generation of female firefighters, encouraging them to take leadership roles and break through barriers that once existed in the fire service.
“When I joined, it was very male-dominated. A lot of men were okay with women being in the brigade, but they didn’t want to be told what to do by a woman,” she said.
“Over time, as more women joined and took on leadership roles, it became more accepted. Now, it’s the norm.”
In addition to her leadership in the brigade, Ms Kennelly-Merritt’s service spans numerous significant fire incidents, both locally and internationally.
Notable among these are the catastrophic 2009 Black Saturday fires and the devastating 2019-2020 bushfire season, where she played a crucial role as a safety officer and fire behaviour analyst.
“The 2009 fires were probably the worst. It was like going to a third-world country to see how many people were displaced and the high death toll,” she said.
Her experience also led her to international deployments, including to Canada, where she faced unique challenges not often encountered in Australian firefighting.
“In Canada, I had to deal with bears and cougars, things we don’t normally worry about here,” Ms Kennelly-Merritt said with a laugh.
“It was a different world, but the principles of safety and firefighting remain the same.”
One of Ms Kennelly-Merritt’s proudest achievements, however, is her pioneering work in large animal rescue. Seeing the need for specialised response during bushfires and floods, she helped establish one of only two large animal rescue units in Victoria.
“We’re called out for animal rescues, especially horses and cows, which are common in our area,” Ms Kennelly-Merritt said.
“The number of rescues has grown significantly over the past decade, and we’re one of the few brigades with the necessary equipment to do this safely.”
Her brigade’s large animal rescue capability has become a vital resource for the community, ensuring that animals in distress are rescued safely and efficiently, particularly during intense bushfire seasons. The knowledge, equipment, and training required for such rescues make it a critical service, and Ms Kennelly-Merritt’s leadership in this area has been a game-changer.
Reflecting on her recognition with the Australian Fire Service Medal, Ms Kennelly-Merritt expressed immense gratitude and humility.
“I was incredibly honoured to receive it,” she said.
“I had no idea I was even nominated until a few weeks before finding out I had won. I don’t even know who nominated me, but I’m very thankful.”
Now retired from her role as a CFA staff member, Ms Kennelly-Merritt remains a dedicated volunteer, continuing to lead the Macclesfield brigade.
Her work doesn’t stop there; she also conducts planned burns for CFA, works as a fire investigator, and has a deep passion for fire behaviour science.
“I love investigating fires and figuring out the cause,” she said. “It’s like solving a puzzle, and I find it fascinating.”
As for the future, Ms Kennelly-Merritt is committed to continuing her work and mentoring the next generation of firefighters.
“I’ll keep doing what I’ve always done,” she said.
“I enjoy seeing others progress and getting as much enjoyment out of the service as I have.”
