STORIES FROM OUR FIRST RESPONDER COMMUNITY
Fortem Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that supports the mental fitness and wellbeing of first responder families. Every day, more than 300,000 first responders keep our communities safe. They are backed up by their families: partners, children and parents. All of them hold vital and challenging roles. We help them to be well, and stay well, through mental fitness, support services and wellbeing activities. These are their stories.
First responders create their very own masterpieces
Between August and October, Fortem provided four art masterpiece classes for first responders to learn the art of acrylic painting and create a different painting in every class. Initially, these
Save the date for Fortem’s first Gala Ball!
Our first Gala Ball is coming on 1 April, 2022. The funds raised will enable us to extend our services in regional and rural areas, so that our qualified support
John Bale: “Volunteer firefighters are struggling. We must reach in to help them”
In a new study from Edith Cowan University (ECU) that explores the effects of the Black Summer bushfires on first responders, every volunteer respondent said the Black Summer fires had
7 tips for first responders before starting a job search
If you’re considering a transition out of first responder employment, our latest expert insights are for you. Professor Neil Curtis spent six years in the Australian Army before transitioning into
Victorian first responder families enjoy connecting at Fortem’s wellbeing activities
Victorian first responder families have loved getting back to face-to-face wellbeing activities, and connecting with others who have been through a similarly challenging time. In Gippsland, our Forest Family Adventure
Peter and Tiffany: one transition, two perspectives, in our November Virtual Coffee and Connect
When Peter Henry transitioned from his role as a Police Officer into working in private enterprise, the change affected both himself and his partner, Tiff. Pete is a former Police
Fortem Australia partners with Churchill Education to support first responder career transitions
Fortem and Churchill Education have joined forces in helping first responders transition to the next stage of their career. Churchill Education is now a Pledge Partners in Fortem’s Transition &
Fortem Australia a finalist in the Resilient Australia National Award
Fortem Australia is pleased to announce that we have been selected as a finalist in the 2021 Resilient Australia National Award. The Resilient Australia Awards program is sponsored by the
Join the fun, and boost your mental fitness, in a variety of wellbeing activities
Following the NSW lockdown, the Illawarra/Shoalhaven arm of Fortem is now back to in-person activities – and we couldn’t be happier about it. Our monthly activities started back with our
7 lessons I learnt through career transition
Fortem Transition Engagement Officer, Colleen Lansdell, enjoyed a successful career in emergency services for 20 years. A series of life-changing events took her away from the job she believed she
“It’s good to have things to choose from” – How to build a menu of strategies that boost your mental fitness
For Fortem Ambassador Jess Grimwood, being mentally fit and well means having a number of strategies to call on. Jess, an ex-Firefighter and former pro surfer who has experienced PTSD,
Canberra first responders feel the fun and power of dragon boating.
What better way to spend Canberra’s first real weekend out of lockdown than under big, beautiful, sunny spring skies on Lake Burley Griffin. Fortem brought together a group of first
