Leadership does not always announce itself. Sometimes it shows up quietly, overnight, protecting communities while the rest of the world sleeps.
For UGL Project Lead Natalie Morgan, that commitment to community isn’t just something she talks about. It’s something she lives. Outside her role at UGL, Natalie volunteers with the Victorian Country Fire Authority, following in the footsteps of her father, who served for more than 40 years with the New South Wales Rural Fire Service. It’s a legacy built on service, resilience, and showing up when it matters most.
As fires continued to burn across Victoria, Natalie answered the call to support the Longwood fire effort. With UGL and her management team standing firmly behind her, she deployed on night shift to help crews who had already endured eight exhausting days on the frontline.
Ground crews were still working through the aftermath - patrolling burnt terrain, extinguishing stubborn hotspots, and offering relief to local teams who had barely been home to see their families or grapple with damage to their own properties.
This deployment was more than another shift for Natalie. It marked her first strike team deployment as a crew leader without a mentor, a milestone that tested her leadership, decision‑making, and confidence in real time.
“Deploying to a fire brings a deep sense of community and achievement. You are often turning up on someone’s hardest day, and being able to help by volunteering time and skills is incredibly rewarding.”
The experience carried personal significance, too. Stepping into leadership on the fireground was both a moment of growth and a continuation of a family tradition of service.
Yet the decision to deploy wasn’t simple. Stepping away from work during a busy period brought understandable apprehension. What made all the difference was UGL’s unwavering support.
Encouragement from leaders, flexibility from colleagues, and a willingness across her team to pick up tasks ensured projects continued - enabling Natalie to serve the community without hesitation.
“This deployment simply would not have been achievable without UGL’s support.”
Natalie holds deep gratitude for the trust and encouragement shown by her leaders - empowering her development, both professionally and personally.
“The support to build my leadership skills and pursue my passions, inside and outside the workplace, will never go unnoticed.”
And while many call volunteers like Natalie heroes, she’s the first to shift the spotlight.
“The real heroes are those who hold the fort back home. Partners stepping in, families sacrificing, coworkers working longer hours, and employers absorbing the absence so communities can be protected. Every volunteer leaves an entire life behind, and that support does not go unseen.”
At UGL, supporting our people doesn’t stop at the workplace. We back our employees wherever they show up, because when our people feel supported in life, they lead stronger everywhere.
We are proud of Natalie for her commitment, leadership, and the meaningful contributions she makes to both her community and our organisation.