120 Years Ago: Forbes Interstate Fire Brigade Demonstration

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 held in Forbes.

Forbes, led by Captain Harrison, began their involvement in Fire Brigade Demonstrations as early as 1893 when the team was one of 39 who competed at Bathurst, competing again in 1899.

Forbes Demonstration team, c. 1900s [Courtesy of John Hand]

Forbes was then lucky enough to host the Annual Interstate Fire Brigade Demonstration in 1905, with 55 teams competing:

Armidale, Albury, Adamstown, Boolaroo, Bourke, Braidwood, Camden, Carrington, Condobolin, Cootamundra, Corowa, Cobar East, Cobar, Coonamble, Dubbo, Deniliquin, Forbes Central, Forbes North, Gladesville, Goulburn, Grafton, Glen Innes, Grenfell, Hamilton, Islington, Junee, Lambton, New Lambton, Lithgow, Liverpool, Maitland East, Maitland West, Moss Vale, Morpeth, Moree, Minto, Mereweather, Mudgee, Narrandera, Newcastle Central, Newcastle City, Newcastle West, Orange, Tumut, Tighes Hill, Wallsend & Plattsburg, Waratah & Mayfield, Waverly, Wagga Wagga, Wickham, West Wallsend, Wollongong, Yass and Theatre Royal.

The Forbes Central team were represented by Bell, Peters, Brown, Williams, Twogood, Boon and Hand, whilst Forbes North members were Rath, Moin, Martin, Crippen, Cox, Davis, Donovan and Ainsworth.

The Lady Amazons of Armidale gave a spirited and excellent performance. The rescue from the burning tower, and the leap into space by Captain Minne Webb were special features of interest and earned well deserved applause.

The comic element was fully maintained by the Darktown Brigades, from representatives of Bathurst, North Botany, Wollongong, Parkes and the Theatre Royal, Sydney. Sydney Mail Feb 8.

Around 7,000 people attended the event which included bicycle races and band contests. Some 700 firefighters competed in 16 events over the two-day event held on 30 and 31 January 1905. Events included Hose & Reel Practice for Eight and Four Men, Eight and Four Men Engine, Hose & Ladder Practice, Hose & Reel Practice, Ambulance Rescue and Four Men Ladder.

Stockton Fire Brigade were the overall winners, and the Forbes Fire Brigade trophy was won by Wallsend and Plattsburg.

Large group of officers, captains and volunteer firefighters at the Forbes Demonstration, 1905 [Museum of Fire Collection]

Forbes would continue to compete at Fire Brigade Demonstrations including at Orange in 1906, Wagga Wagga in 1907, Dubbo in 1908 before the final Demonstration in 1909 at Corowa. After the formation of the NSW Fire Brigades (NSWFB) in 1910, Demos were temporarily halted, and it wasn’t until 1932 that Demos were reintroduced as a regular event. Firefighter Championships continue to be one of Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) longest standing and proudest traditions. Now, 120 years later, Forbes will be hosting the Regional Firefighter Championships on 9 and 10 August 2025.

-Story by Championship Historian, John Hand