International Women's Day Breakfast 2024 (SOLD OUT)

Event Overview:

Life Saving Victoria is pleased to invite its members to attend the 2024 International Women's Day (IWD) breakfast event on Wednesday, March 6th. This year's event will feature a panel discussion with accomplished and diverse women who share a vision to #CountherIn.

Our panelists include Dawn Hartog, a Senior Manager at DEECA, recipient of the Australian Fire Services Medal (AFSM), and a current board member of the Country Fire Authority (CFA). She will be joined by Sarah Burt, a Journalist, Commentator, and Cricket and AFLW Boundary Rider, and Jenni Rigby, the CEO of Emergency Management Victoria. Join us as we hear from these inspiring women and explore ways to invest in women and accelerate progress in lifesaving, emergency services, and community organizations.

This event will be hosted by the brilliant Carol Fox and will celebrate the contributions of our volunteer members, staff, and community in their many roles. We will also recognize outstanding women through the IWD Club awards, which honour their exceptional contribution to lifesaving. This breakfast session will be a cross-agency and sector event. We encourage our volunteer members as well as members of other emergency management agencies, the aquatic industry, sports and recreation industry, and other like-minded agencies to join us for a morning of inspiration and celebration. Attendees will have the opportunity to share, network, and connect with like-minded individuals.

About our panel:

Dawn Hartog AFSM: Senior Manager, Water Emergency Management (Water & Catchments), DEECA

Dawn is an experienced senior manager with a demonstrated history of working in the public safety and emergency services sectors. She is highly skilled and passionate about emergency management, emergency planning, community engagement, and promoting the visibility of women across the emergency services sector.

Dawn started her career in community services and emergency management with the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia – Victoria Branch, followed by the Country Fire Authority, where she specialised in the coordination and development of community development programs. It is during this time that she gained insight into the complexities of overseeing state-wide projects, and an appreciation for the challenges and benefits of working with and managing volunteers.

More recently Dawn has moved to the Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action (DEECA) where she has held a number of senior advisor and manger roles. Currently Dawn is leading a high-performing team of experts to deliver water-related emergency management obligations, including planning and preparedness, response and recovery.

As part of the King’s Birthday Honours in 2023, Dawn was awarded the Australian Fire Services Medal (AFSM) for her work and volunteer contributions, supporting volunteers and emergency service personnel, as well as championing gender equality and parity across the sector.

Sarah Burt - Sports Journalist, MC, Commentator, Presenter

Sarah is a multidisciplinary Journalist, Host, Presenter, MC, Boundary Rider, and Writer based in Melbourne, Australia.

With experience across television, radio, podcasting, and print, she is currently Freelancing across multiple roles including AFL and AFLWcoverage host at 3AW.

Having previously worked at Fox Sports News, Hawthorn Football Club and the AFL, her work has also been seen across The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian, ESPN, AFL.com.au, AFLW.com.au, 7NEWS.com.au, ABC online, ABC Grandstand and ABC breakfast radio.

Jenni Rigby - Chief Executive Emergency Management Victoria

Jenni Rigby is the Chief Executive, Emergency Management Victoria, where she is responsible for the effective and efficient management and performance of Emergency Management Victoria. Jenni has been at EMV since 2019 and has a deep understanding of Victoria’s emergency management arrangements, holding significant leadership roles at EMV during a number of major emergencies, including the COVID pandemic.  She also has wide ranging experience across government portfolios including climate change, coastal management, waste management and forest fire management. Most recently Jenni has been instrumental in leading government responses to a number of significant reviews and inquiries as well as implementing strategic reform programs for Victoria’s emergency management sector. Jenni holds a Masters of Business Administration and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Session Registration: 

LSV Members - $65

Non- Members - $75

*Maximum of 8 tickets per Club/Organisation  

Contact womeninlifesaving@lsv.com.au to arrange Invoice Clubs/Organisations

Breakfast will be provided on arrival.