Jamberoo Rural Fire Service Captain Hannah McInerney has been recognised as the Regional Adult Volunteer of the Year in the 2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, celebrating her exceptional service to the community.

Hannah joined the Jamberoo RFS at 18 and, at just 33 years old, has already made history as the first female brigade captain in the Illawarra.

She has held the top role for eight years, leading a team of 55 members – including 39 operational firefighters and 16 support volunteers – in one of the most active brigades in the region.

Today, three out of four of the brigade’s officer positions are held by women, a shift Hannah has championed by mentoring and encouraging emerging leaders.

In the last calendar year, the brigade responded to 180 incidents, ranging from bushfires and structure fires to road accidents, powerline damage and flood recovery.

Twice during 2024, the brigade faced more than ten emergencies in a four-hour window, deploying all three of its appliances under Hannah’s calm leadership.

Her influence, however, goes far beyond emergency response. Hannah has reshaped brigade culture, fostering inclusion and diversity in what was once a male-dominated space.

“If there is an opportunity in your local area, it’s an opportunity to get involved in the community, and to give back a little bit, and learn new skills and gain new qualifications,” she said.

Hannah also runs fire safety and preparedness programs for the community, reaching more than 350 preschool children each year, and works closely with local businesses, schools, churches, and community groups to strengthen Jamberoo’s resilience.

“The preschool program is focused primarily on understanding basics of fires, starting the conversation, and allowing kids to go home with a pamphlet and encouraging parents to continue the conversation,” Hannah said.

Her volunteering doesn’t stop at the fire shed. Hannah is also an active surf lifesaver with Kiama Surf Life Saving Club, where she has served as Club Captain. She helps coordinate local events from Anzac Day to the Jamberoo Car Show and was a visible leader in local flood recovery efforts.

Hannah admits the role hasn’t always been easy. Taking on captaincy as a young woman brought challenges and resistance, but she persevered with professionalism and respect. Over time, she has earned the trust of her team and transformed the brigade into one of the region’s most respected and inclusive.

Hannah has previously been named Kiama’s Young Citizen of the Year and was a finalist in the Rotary Emergency Service Awards in 2025.

As the judges noted, Hannah is much more than a brigade captain, she is “the calm in the storm, a mentor to the next generation, and a symbol of what modern volunteerism can be.”