Kellie Sommerville, finding her own path

Aviation was always there, just never quite within reach.

Growing up, visiting airshows was a regular part of Kellie Sommerville’s life, shaped largely by her brother’s passion for flying. A passion which would see him train as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot in the Australian Defence Force.

But despite that early exposure, she never truly saw aviation as her own path.

'I always thought it was his career,' Kellie recalls.

'I didn’t realise that it was a possible career for me until I was in my mid-20s. I think working as a seasonal firefighter really cemented that for me.'

A trial by fire

Kellie’s journey began in 2019 as a seasonal firefighter at Halls Gap.

Her first season was the devastating 2019/2020 summer, a 'fast-paced and intense' baptism that took her to Gippsland, the Upper Murray and, of course, the rugged terrain of the Grampians.

It was during small 'off-track' fires in the Grampians that her eyes were opened to the world of aerial firefighting.

'We did a lot of helicopter passenger transfer and helipad cutting. It really opened my eyes to the options we have in regional Victoria,' Kellie says.

Suddenly, aviation wasn’t limited to the military or big cities. It was here, integrated into the work she was doing every day.

'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.'

Too close to home

The 2023-24 and 2024-25 Victorian fire seasons are best remembered for the return of destructive campaign fires to western and central Victoria.

For Kellie, and the tight-knit Halls Gap crew, it would be a period of intense and challenging work which would push them to the brink of physical and mental exhaustion.

Major fires in the Grampians National Park would impact communities including Pomonal and Dadswells Bridge, and burn tens of thousands of hectares as fire ripped through the environment.

'It feels so strange because it feels so long ago, but it also feels like yesterday,' Kellie reflects.

'Campaign fires are really draining; they are really hard work and for the local crews, there’s no escape.'

'At the end of the shift we all go home to it as well because your friends and family, and potentially your own home are being impacted.'

'Some people on our crew lost houses, or their families lost houses.'

'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.'

It’s a unique duality, deep pride in serving your community, paired with the heartbreak of seeing it under threat.

Scaling new heights

After 6 years working as a firefighter in 2025, Kellie secured an ongoing role with the Aviation Services Units as an Aviation Infrastructure and Technology Lead.

A key role in shaping how aerial firefighting operates across Victoria.

Her work spans everything from managing Large Air Tanker (LAT) bases to supporting over 60 airbases across the state, while embracing and supporting new technologies.

In addition, Kellie is an accredited Air Observer, bringing her years of fireground experience with her every time she lifts off.

This insight gives her a strong understanding of fire behaviour, terrain and pressures crews face on the frontline which is critical to effective fireground communication.

Her next goal is to achieve an accreditation as an Air Attack Supervisor.

'This year I have back-seated a lot of different air attack supervisors and learnt a lot of leadership styles and how they communicate, manage the aircraft and work with their team at the airbase,' she said.

'I have really taken the opportunity to spend time at airbases, spend time with pilots, and air attack supervisors to learn as much as I can.'

'I have learnt an incredible amount by just being around airbases, pilots and air attack supervisors, and hearing them talk about what’s important to them, what’s useful, and what’s not useful.'

'Having that exposure before I have the pressure of being in the role has been incredibly productive this season.'

Kellie hopes to achieve her accreditation in the next few years and support other women to take up the role.

A new adventure

After a busy 2025-26 fire season, Kellie has taken her experience overseas, currently working in Alberta, Canada, to further build on her aviation and fire knowledge.

Based in Wabasca, in the Slave Lake district, she’s part of a four-person Helitack crew, assessing fire from the air, directing resources and if needed working on the ground.

This role combines elements of air attack and air observer work, strengthening the skills she will bring back to her role in Australia.

This is her third trip to Canada since 2023.

Kellie’s first deployments to Alberta, Canada were a big part of her journey into fire and aviation.

On her first trip to Alberta in 2023, she was thrown straight into the action, joining a fire response on her very first night after arriving.

Working alongside Canadian crews gave her valuable experience and showed her how closely aircraft and ground crews work together during wildfire operations.

Returning to Canada for a full season helped Kellie build her skills and confidence even more. Working as a crew leader, she developed new skills, confidence and a greater appreciation for structured, aviation-led firefighting.

The professionalism, teamwork and seamless use of aircraft left a lasting impression on Kellie and she brought those lessons back home.

While the aviation sector remains male-dominated, Kellie says the landscaping is shifting, especially on the fireground, with more women stepping into operational roles.

What started as a seasonal firefighter role has taken Kellie from the firegrounds of the Grampians to the skies over Canada.

As she keeps learning in Alberta, Kellie hopes her story encourages young women to see aviation as a real and achievable pathway.

'Don’t be afraid to explore new opportunities. Sometimes the path you never imagine for yourself can become the one that feels exactly right' she said.

To find out more about where a stint as a seasonal firefighter can take you , visit Seasonal Forest and Fire Operations Officer.