General News
11 July, 2026
Kellie’s journey takes flight
GROWING up around aviation, Kellie Sommerville never imagined it could ever become her career. Now, after taking on the role of a seasonal firefighter in Halls Gap, the Victorian is working in Canada as part of an elite Helitrack crew, with Forest Fire Management Victoria hoping her story will motivate others as applications open for ongoing and seasonal forest firefighting positions.
Kellie's first season took her through Gippsland, the Upper Murray, and across the Grampians, where working alongside helicopters introduced her to the world of aerial firefighting.
“I realised there was this whole world of aviation in land management that I didn’t even know existed and that it was a very real career option for me,” she said.
Having joined Forest Fire Management Victoria as a seasonal firefighter back in 2019, Kellie began her career just months before the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires.
The 2023-24 and 2024-25 fire seasons brought the difficulty even closer to home, with the campaign fires burning through the Grampians National Park and threatening local communities.
Kellie said protecting the region where her family lived created an additional layer of pressure.
"Some people on our crew lost houses, or their families lost houses," she said.
"My family live in the southern Grampians, so there is all that additional stress that you need to take on while also doing your job, and doing your best to protect your community."
Following six years on the frontline, Kellie secured an ongoing role with FFMVic’s Aviation Services Unit as an Aviation Infrastructure and technology lead.
Now based in Alberta, Canada, as part of a four-person Helitack crew, Kellie is consistently building her skills while working towards accreditation as an Air Attack Supervisor.
She hopes her journey will inspire others to pursue a career they may never have considered.
Forest Fire Management Chief Fire Officer, Chris Hardman, said applications were now open for both ongoing and seasonal entry-level forest firefighter positions across the state ahead of the upcoming bushfire season.
He said the recruits would train alongside permanent firefighters and assist with protecting Victorian communities during summer while also carrying out planned burning and land management work throughout the year.
For those interested in joining FFMVic have until July 26 to apply. Seasonal roles run between October and May, and include opportunities specifically designated for First Nations applicants.
For further information, visit: jobs.careers.vic.gov.au/