-An Update from our CEO
This is my last blog for 2020 but is also my first as the permanently appointed CEO of the Museum, having been acting in an interim role over the past six months.
We have had an incredibly busy few months which I’ll try and share as much about as possible about now.
My favourite activity the Museum hosted over November was our first ever art competition. This was open to all primary school aged children in Australia and we were blown away with the number of entries we received. Our team were kept very busy processing over 100 entries that came in from all over the country. The topic this year was bushfires and paying tribute to our brave firefighters.
I was pleased to join the Museum’s Curatorial Team to select just 30 (an incredibly hard task) to be shortlisted. These entries will be displayed in the Museum’s newly created art gallery space over the summer. In January, all the winners will be announced and until then you can vote in the People’s Choice. Voting opens on Saturday 19th December 2020 and runs until Friday 15th January 2021. For more information on this exhibition please see the flyer below.
If you did not get your entry in don’t worry as the competition will be back in 2021 with a brand-new theme!
Another popular activity we’ve been hosting throughout 2020 are our Heritage Days. These historic vehicle display days allow us to put extra vehicles on display to the public that are rarely seen. Entry into these displays is free (Museum entry isn’t included) and the Historic Fire Engine Association put on displays of historic firefighting for the public. Even with major roadworks, bad weather and COVID restrictions in place the days were still very popular so I’m pleased to announce that they will be back in 2021! We will host four of these days, each with a different theme! See the flyer below for more details and to save the dates.
The first of these heritage events for 2021 is going to feature a CFU (Community Fire Unit) theme. To coincide with this event, we are asking for any CFU related items that you may have out there and would like to donate to the Museum. If you do have any photographs we are more than happy to digitise them and return them to you. Please email mail@museumoffire.com.au or call 02 4731 3000 if you can assist our team.
It has been quite a while since I wrote my last blog that I almost forgot about two important events that the Museum participated in. The first being the official opening of the renovations at Kariong Fire Station where the Museum created a history book and display panel for the station; and the second being the memorial for all FRNSW firefighters who have sadly passed in the last year. This event was especially moving for the Museum as our previous CEO, Mark White AFSM OAM was one of those who passed this year. To commemorate the event and pay tribute to Mark, the Museum’s Big 4 was displayed at the ceremony (pictured below).
We have so much more in store in for 2021 that I’m going to keep a few surprises up my sleeve until then! Please visit our website for some amazing offers and deals. If you live outside of Penrith it might be worth having a look at our special stay/play deal, we have with our neighbours Quest to plan your visit to the Museum!
Over the coming holiday period the Museum will remain open as per usual; only closing on Christmas and Boxing Days so our team can spend time with their families.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and please remember there are still shopping days left so the Museum’s store is the perfect place to start! (Pictured here is our beautiful Christmas tree)
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year & I look forward to seeing you in the Museum soon!
-Museum of Fire CEO, Belinda McMartin