2000 Coffs Harbour State Championships

2000 Coffs Harbour State Championships Crest [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 to the start of the millennium for the 2000 Coffs Harbour State Championships.

25 years ago, Coffs Harbour was the venue in 2000 for the State Championships. This would be the third time Coffs Harbour hosted, with Championships having been held in the city in 1972 and 1984. Whilst the championships were traditionally held in October of the even numbered years, the requirement to concentrate the State’s emergency organisations for the Sydney Olympics meant the NSWFB State Championships were brought forward to March in 2000.

A photograph of Coffs Harbour members Colin Bird, Craig Hobson, Craig Mayled, Denis Bowen and Geoff Thompson competing in a Hose Cart Event featured on the cover of 2000 Championships program [Image courtesy of John Hand]

The 2000s saw changes to the events teams competed in. Although Hose Reel events continued until 2006, 2000 was the last running of Hose Cart and Hose Cart & Ladder Events.

Trangie won the Hose Cart Event and ran second to Canowindra in the Hose Cart & Ladder. The Hose Cart and Hose Reel Events had been part of Fire Brigades Demonstrations since the latter part of the 19^th century and had been retained long after their use on the fireground for their historical significance.

Brigades from across the State competed against teams from New Zealand, Queensland and Victoria. The visiting teams competed for a special trophy, with the Lakes Entrance (Vic) emerging the winners against Carterton (NZ), Echuca (Vic), Havelock North (NZ) and Belrose Rural Fire Service (RFS) brigades.

Port Macquarie come out on top, equalling Finley’s record of four successive State titles, following their 1994, 1996 and 1998 winning of the Alfred Webb Cup. Port Macquarie won with 116 points, followed by Trangie, Balgownie, Canowindra, Nowra, Casino and Finley. Balgownie would go on to be the runner ups in 2002 and 2004 State Championships.

Port Macquarie won four of the team events, alongside four second places and two third places, making them very convincing winners. Trangie’s second place was a reward for a team that had been regular competitors around the state since their initial involvement in 1972. They have become a continued presence, competing at the last State Championship held in Wagga Wagga in 2024.

Finley’s Ken Bevan competed in his last ‘Demo’ at Coffs Harbour, winning the Hose & Hydrant One Competitor Event to go with numerous placings in the Ladder Practice, and Alarm & Rescue in which he placed 2^nd on four occasions and won three times over the years.

Firefighters competing in the Hose Cart Event, Coffs Harbour State Championship, 2000 [Museum of Fire Collection]

Canowindra’s Mark Flannery won the Ladder Practice; a very satisfying result having finished 2^nd to teammate Richard Hodge on three previous occasions.

Brigades from around the State look forward to competing at Coffs Harbour again for the 2026 State Championships. Coastal venues are always popular, enabling families to enjoy the sand and surf.

Involvement by brigades new to or returning to competition in the last 25 years include Wyong,  Ulladulla, Culcairn, Kootingal RFS, Turvey Park, Berry, and Wangi Wangi.

-Story by Championship Historian, John Hand.