1970 Port Macquarie Demonstration

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 55 years to the 1970 Fire Brigade Demonstration held in Port Macquarie. Held at the West Port Oval, Port Macquarie, the Demonstration ran from Monday, 12 October to Saturday, 17 October. 600 firefighters from 90 brigades competed in 17 separate events.

55 years ago, at Port Macquarie, the Fourth State Demonstration saw a new winner, Finley, after the previous 13 titles were shared by just 4 teams; Narrandera, with 6 titles, Orange with 3, and Yass and Lithgow with 2 wins each.

Front page of the Official Program of the 1970 Port Macquarie Demonstration [Image courtesy of John Hand.]

Finley, who had come third in 1966 and 1968, won the first of their four consecutive State titles at the Port Macquarie Demonstration with a total of 85 points. Their victory earned them the Alfred Webb Cup, as well as the title of “Giantkillers”. Finley finished ahead of Narrandera, who scored 64 points, Wagga, who scored 57 points, Young, with 41 points, and Yass, who scored 37 points. (Points were awarded for the first five places, receiving 16, 10, 6, 4, and 2 points respectively. Individual events had half the points awarded, with the first five placed receiving 8, 5,3,2, and 1 points respectively.)

Teamwork was the name of the game with Finley placing first in Hose Reel, Hose Reel and Ladder, and Scaling Ladder, and second in 450 Gallon Collector and Hose, Hydrant, and Breeching Events. Finely's efforts in the Hose Reel and Ladder event resulted in the defeat of a long-held record, which had previously stood for 33 years. The original record had been set by the Cronulla brigade in 1937 and was equalled by Yass in 1968. Finley had also set a new record in the Scaling Ladder event and surpassed their own previously held record in the Hose Reel event.

Firefighters competing in the Hose Cart event, 1970 Port Macquarie Demonstration [Museum of Fire Collection]

Individual results played an important part in Finley’s success in their 1970 Alfred Webb Cup victory, as well as their consecutive victories in 1972, 1974, and 1976. Ken Bevan earned points for top five placings in the 100 yards event, Alarm and Rescue, and Ladder Practice during this time, whilst team mate Peter Rourke won the Alarm & Rescue, Ladder Practice, and Portable Extinguisher and placed second in the Hose & Hydrant in 1974. Peter accomplished 5 first places, 5 seconds, a third, and a fifth place in individual events in the same period.

Many teams from over 300 brigades in the State have competed in Demonstrations over the years. Just 3 of the 87 teams who competed at Port Macquarie participated in the Championships held in Forbes in August this year: Forbes, Griffith, and Wellington.

-Story by Championship Historian, John Hand.