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At the Museum of Fire, we’re constantly reviewing our exhibits that haven’t been updated in years. This gives us the opportunity to breathe new life into these topics and showcase more objects from our collection. Our latest exhibit, which we revamped earlier this month, delves into the history of the Commissioners and Chief Officers of Fire and Rescue NSW (formerly the NSW Fire Brigades and the Metropolitan Fire Brigade). We knew we had more stories and objects to share alon

On Sunday 14 September 2025, the Museum of Fire hosted our annual History Week Keynote Presentation. At the Museum of Fire, we have always embraced the opportunity to contribute to History Week. As a museum devoted entirely to the preservation and interpretation of firefighting history in New South Wales, events like this are the lifeblood of our work—just as water is the lifeblood of firefighting itself. Each year, the History Council of NSW selects a thought-provoking the

Volunteer Origins Several discussions were held in the early 1900s to form a fire brigade in the West Wyalong district. By March 1907, a grant of £25 (approximately $4,600 today) was received from the state government to be used for the formation of a fire brigade. A few months later in June, meetings were held to enrol members with over 50 signing up, along with the election of a Captain, J. Stephenson. This brigade, however, quickly dissolved and by January 1908 there was r

1970 Port Macquarie Demonstration pin [Image courtesy of John Hand.] The Firefighter Championships began as ‘Demonstrations’ or ‘Demos’, where fire brigades exhibited their skills to the local community. Events in the Demos were based on real situations firefighters faced daily and were designed to highlight their talent and expertise, whilst having the extra benefit of being a form of training. This week, our Championship historian and guest blogger, John Hand, takes us back

Manual Fire Engines Today, fire engines are a sight to behold, their bright red colour, flashing lights, and loud sirens herald their arrival. Equipped with a variety of equipment, they are truly prepared for any emergency. However, if we take a step back in time to the origins of organised firefighting in Sydney, we find a vastly different scene. The early 19th century marked a major advancement in firefighting technology with the rise of the manual fire engine, an evolut

Attempts to Form a Brigade Consideration regarding fire protection in the North Illawarra District began to be explored by the Board of Fire Commissioners of NSW (BoFC) as early as October 1922. Local interest in forming a brigade was expressed in June-July 1924 when the School of Arts wrote to the BoFC to enquire about the possibility of a fire brigade in the Balgownie area. Similar sentiments were expressed in the neighbouring town of Corrimal, and it was in October that

Life Before the Brigade Born on the 12 August 1911, Vivian Lowther began his career in 1927 working as an apprentice with the NSW Government Railways as a fitter and turner. Once he had completed his apprenticeship in 1932, he began looking for work as a tradesman, however, due to the ongoing Depression he was unable to find work. During his job search he enquired about working in the NSW Fire Brigades (NSWFB) workshops, but while they didn’t have any positions going, they di

At the Museum of Fire, our mission extends beyond simply housing historic objects. We exist to preserve and share the stories, memories, and moments that define our past, especially those belonging to our emergency first responders. This is particularly important in our role as a history museum, where we document and honour the legacy of firefighting across New South Wales. Our commitment to preservation goes well beyond the museum walls. We work closely with Fire and Rescue

The Firefighter Championships began as ‘Demonstrations’ or ‘Demos’, where fire brigades exhibited their skills to the local community. Events in the Demos were based on real situations firefighters faced daily and were designed to highlight their talent and expertise whilst having the extra benefit of being a form of training. This week, our Championship historian and guest blogger John Hand, takes us back 120 years to the 1905 Annual Interstate Fire Brigade Demonstration he

Formation of Riverstone Fire Brigade Interest in the fire protection of Riverstone was brought to the foreground in 1923. At this time, Riverstone was located within the Windsor Fire District and received protection from Windsor Fire Brigade, however, the brigade was unable to provide adequate fire protection to Riverstone due to the great distance between the two towns and Riverstone’s lack of a reticulated water supply. This meant Riverstone was at risk of being removed f