Blog

As we approach the conclusion of this year’s Museum of Fire Art Competition and prepare for our next temporary exhibition, it feels like an appropriate moment to pause and reflect on what this exhibition has come to represent for our museum and for the community that surrounds us. At first glance, an art competition may seem like an unexpected feature within a museum dedicated to the history of firefighting. Our collection is filled with fire engines, equipment, uniforms and

At the Museum of Fire, we receive a diverse range of fascinating donations. These donations showcase not only the equipment used to fight fires, but also extend into objects related to charity work, competition and sporting events, and inspiring the next generation of firefighters. The objects on display for our latest iteration of our New and Noteworthy  exhibit have been donated to us over the past year and truly showcase the other aspects of being part of the fire service.

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

Manly Fire Station watchroom, c. 1920 [Museum of Fire Collection] One of our most well-loved displays here at the Museum of Fire is the watchroom. All communications were channelled through the watchroom and may have come from public phone lines, direct lines from other stations, connection to street fire alarm pillar boxes, public buildings - such as theatres and other high-risk locations - fire detection systems, and to the ‘call out’ bells in the homes of volunteer firefig

This week, to coincide with the annual celebration of International Women’s Day, the Museum is proud to officially open our latest exhibition which pays tribute to the role women have played within firefighting in NSW. This exhibition has been produced to celebrate the 40th anniversary of women being permitted to join the NSW Fire Brigade (NSWFB, today Fire and Rescue NSW, FRNSW) as firefighters. This is the first time that an exhibition has showcased this largely forgotten p

On Thursday 16 January 2025, we hosted the awards ceremony for our 2024 Art Competition. At the Museum of Fire, we feel it is essential to pay tribute to our firefighters each and every day. Without their heroic efforts, there would be no stories to share, nor any history to preserve. As the official heritage partner to Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) it is our responsibility to ensure that future generations understand the great depth of history within the organisation. The ye

We are excited to bring you our most recent update to our New and Noteworthy exhibit. To showcase the vast collection we have at the Museum of Fire, this exhibit gives us a chance to showcase new donations or noteworthy objects in our collection. The objects chosen for this display highlight Australia’s bushfire history, ranging from board games and education kits to collectable limited-edition figurines. The exhibit is on display for a limited time only so be sure to catch i

This blog was written for History Week 2020 which looked at the oldest still in use fire station outside of Sydney. The Museum of Fire's Heritage Team would like to thank Orange Fire Brigade and the local community for their support of History Week 2020. It was in December 1868 that steps were taken by Orange Council to establish a local Fire Brigade. The records are sketchy but by February 1869 a Brigade had been formed as they wrote to Council seeking financial assistance t

A major role of our emergency services is the rescuing of those in need, whether that be in a one-off incident or in a major disaster, the ability of firefighters, with the aid and sometimes guidance of other agencies to undertake rescue procedures is an essential part of what they do. For the theme of our 2023 art competition, we wanted to pay tribute to this role firefighters undertake, emphasising the latter half of our state’s fire service name “Fire AND Rescue NSW”. Stat

We are excited to bring you one of our most recent exhibits New and Noteworthy . To showcase the vast collection we have at the Museum of Fire, this exhibit gives us a chance to showcase new donations or noteworthy objects in our collection. The objects chosen for its first display span over 100 years, from a T. J. Bown & Co coupling from 1889, to the fifth Chief Officer Thomas Nance’s uniform (c. 1929-1934), and a Fire and Rescue NSW drone from 2015-2020. T. J. Bown & Co Cou