kclubb | Natural Hazards Research Australia

Kylee Clubb

Researcher
Queensland Fire Department

About

Kylee Clubb has made significant contributions to the social and emotional well-being of her community through her work in Indigenous-led fire management. Working with indigenous communities for over 15 years, she lives and works within her community in far-north Queensland. Kylee is an active volunteer firefighter crew leader with Tinaroo Rural Fire Brigade located on Wadjanbarra Country, Atherton Tablelands and upholds the Cultural Heritage Act along with her team.  She has recently taken on Acting First Nation Bush Fire Mitigation Officer with the Queensland Fire Department. Kylee has worked as the Support Officer in the disaster management space at Eacham Community Help Organisation Inc in Malanda (Nadjon Country).

Kylee advocates for and practices culturally appropriate controlled burns. She highlights the longstanding issue of non-Indigenous fire managers overlooking what is sacred to Indigenous peoples. By ensuring that Indigenous voices are at the forefront, such as by joining their local brigades and starting to assist with permits to burn on Indigenous lands, she not only protects culturally significant sites but also empowers her community to take an active role in land stewardship. This approach has broader social and emotional benefits, fostering cultural pride, reinforcing traditional knowledge, and strengthening community bonds by reconnecting people with their land and heritage. In essence, Kylee’s work creates a more resilient and emotionally connected community by bridging environmental management with cultural revitalisation. She participates in the strong continuance of cultural fire and cultural practices, including song, dance, storytelling and art. Kylee is Active Director with Gambir Yidinji cultural heritage protection and a Women’s Crew Leader with Gambir Yidinji Cultural Fire Practitioner Women's team. Kylee attended with the support of Queensland Fire Department the Karuk Women’s Training Exchange (KTREX) in California and is a key leader in the development of the AUSWTREX program, the first of its kind to be hosted in Australia. Kylee also received the QFD Commissioners Certificate of Appreciation in 2024 for her exceptional contribution to the Close the Gap initiatives.