This year, to celebrate World Ranger Day, Parks Victoria is celebrating and highlighting some of our amazing frontline staff.

Read on to learn about Cassidy Mackenzie, who grew up wanting to be a firefighter and found a way to work that into her career as a Ranger. 

What’s your name, and where are you based? 

My name is Cassidy Mackenzie, and I am a ranger based in Heyfield on Gunaikurnai Country.

How long have you worked for Parks Victoria, and how long have you been a Ranger?

I have worked for Parks Victoria since September 2017, so I have been a ranger for almost 8 years. During this time, I’ve undertaken a number of Ranger Team Leader secondments too.  

What made you want to become a ranger?

I studied a Bachelor of Environmental Science: Marine Biology at Deakin University, following that, I undertook two Project Firefighter seasons based at the Parks Victoria office in Foster. Working at Foster I got to know the local ranger team and through speaking with the team I learnt more about the kind of work rangers did, this really interested me, and it was from there I realised I wanted to become a ranger. 

Cassidy (right) and a colleague clearing the tracks at Alpine National Park. Credit: Parks Victoria

What are three things you love about being a ranger? 

Our ranger team in Heyfield are responsible and manage the southern section of the Alpine National Park – so I love that I get to work in some of the most remote and beautiful locations in regional Victoria. I also love the diversity of the work involved in being a ranger, no two-days are the same. Finally, I love that I can work on really meaningful projects that contribute to important land management practices in high-value protected areas. 

What’s it really like to be a ranger? Walk us through a typical day. 

To be a ranger is to understand that no two-days are the same. We undertake an extremely diverse role where plans and tasks can change at the last minute. This can sometimes be due to competing priorities, changes in conditions such as weather, in response to reports from visitors, or any incidences that may have taken place in the park. 

As an alpine ranger based in Heyfield, a more typical day in the winter period can involve planning to undertake what we call ‘checks’ on seasonal gate closures. Ensuring gates in high-risk areas remain closed for public safety for the specified period with required signage in place. We usually tie this in with other tasks such as: 

• servicing remote toilets, 
• undertaking any repairs or replacements to other park signage, 
• checking the conditions of Alpine huts, and 
• observing visitor movements in the Alpine area for public safety considerations.

What's your favourite memory made in a national park/part of your time at PV? 

My favourite memory as a ranger would have to from 2020 when I was working as a Marine Ranger based in Foster. My colleague at the time, Chris Hayward (Marine Ranger) and I were undertaking ground-truthing of benthic substrate types for an environmental monitoring program in Corner Inlet Marine National Park. On this particular morning, there was not a breath of wind on the inlet, the water was so flat it looked like glass. As we were motoring along in the Parks Victoria work vessel in about 1-2 meters of water, we could see dozens of Southern Eagle Rays and Fairy Penguins swimming ahead, with the most dense and healthy coverage of Broad-leaf Seagrass (Posidonia Australia) underneath the boat – it was an incredible day. 

Cassidy undertaking marine monitoring. Credit: Parks Victoria

What did you want to be when you grew up? 

Growing up I wanted to be a firefighter. I am lucky that I have had the opportunity to achieve an accreditation as a General Firefighter for Forest Fire Management, which forms an additional part of my role as a ranger.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not on the job? 

Outside of work I also lead a very active lifestyle - I enjoy playing basketball, gardening, snowboarding, spending time in nature and being with friends and family. 

What’s your favourite nature fun fact? 

I love the regular visual reminder about the key concept of fractal geometry called ‘self-similarity’ and how this is demonstrated in nature. 

Self-similarity is a property where a shape or pattern appears similar to a part of itself, regardless of the scale you’re looking at, so if you zoom in or out the structure retains similar form. 

In nature, we can see this concept demonstrated in ferns, trees, mountain ranges, snowflakes, lightning bolts, and even some seashells. 

What’s a piece of advice you’d have for someone wanting to become a ranger? 

My advice is to channel your passion for the environment into working towards your aspirations and take every opportunity to develop your skills and experiences even if that means stepping outside of your comfort zone.

World Ranger Day

Founded by the International Ranger Federation in 2007, World Ranger Day is internationally celebrated on 31 July. It's a day to celebrate the great work Rangers do and commemorates Rangers who are injured or killed in the line of duty.

Our rangers come from all walks of life, and their work is as diverse as the environments they manage. 

We’re proud of the work they do every day – partnering with Traditional Owners and local communities to care for iconic landscapes and make sure all Victorians can enjoy the outdoors. 

For more information on World Ranger Day, visit the International Ranger Federation’s website.