Winner's Announced for the Museum of Fire 2025 Art Competition

On Thursday 15 January 2026, we hosted the awards ceremony for our 2025 Art Competition. In 2025, Fire and Rescue NSW marked 40 years since women were first formally allowed to join the brigade as firefighters, a milestone that transformed the service and paved the way for generations of trailblazers. To honour this important anniversary, the Museum of Fire proudly presents Trailblazers, a special exhibition celebrating the courage, achievements and enduring legacy of the women who stepped forward, broke barriers, and helped shape the modern fire service. 

Museum of Fire 2025 Art Competition Ceremony, 15 January 2026.

Trailblazers brings together a remarkable collection of artworks created by primary school–aged children from across Australia. Open to all young artists from Kindergarten to Year 6, this competition invites students to imagine, interpret and express through paint, drawing and mixed media the ideas and inspirations that arise when we reflect on courage, service and leadership in our communities. 

For many participants, this has been a journey of research, reflection and creativity. Through their work we can see how young minds engage with history not as a distant story, but as something alive in the present. Some artworks highlight the bravery and resilience of firefighters; others explore what it means to be a leader, a helper or a role model. Collectively, they remind us that we understand heroism not solely through words, but through imagination, observation and empathy.

The theme Trailblazers honours not only the women who pressed forward into roles once closed to them, but also the next generation of dreamers and thinkers. These children’s artworks reveal a deep admiration for first responders and show that today’s young people are already thinking about inclusion, equity and courage in powerful and original ways. Whether through depictions of firefighters at work, explorations of historical milestones, or symbolic responses to ideas of strength and service, each piece invites us to reflect on the legacy of those who have come before and the possibilities ahead.

By weaving children’s creativity with the story of women in firefighting, Trailblazers creates a dialogue that is both reflective and forward-looking. It celebrates past achievements, acknowledges present voices, and inspires future leaders, artists and change-makers. Through the art of primary school students from across the nation, we are reminded that history lives not just in archives and facts, but in the hearts and minds of those who will one day shape our world.

The First Place Grand Prize Winner was presented at the conclusion of the ceremony by Federal Member for Macquarie and Special Envoy to the Arts Susan Templeman with the winner receiving a $200 Museum voucher, an art prize, perpetual trophy, and having their artwork become part of the Museum’s permanent collection.

The winner was Austin Cao (Year 3) with his artwork She keeps us safe. In his own words, "this artwork shows a firefighter kneeling to talk to her daughter in front of a big red fire truck, and then the little girl gently kisses her Mum. Her daughter feels proud and safe because her Mum is a firefighter who helps people every day. The tender moment captures both courage and love, showing that women in Fire and Rescue NSW are not only heroes protecting the community but also caring mothers who protect their families. The trailblazer inspires her daughter with strength and courage, and their loving moment in front of the fire truck reminds us that she keeps us safe."

Federal Member for Macquarie and Special Envoy to the Arts Susan Templeman with First Place Grand Prize Winner Austin Cao.

The Second Place Runner Up award was announced by Charisma Kaliyanda MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Services, Youth Justice, Customer Service and Digital Government and Member for Liverpool. The recipient of this award was Rui Ling Hu (Year 6) for her artwork Courage in Currents, which she describes "In late February and early March, a flood hit the Mid North Coast and Hunter Valley regions. Women not only fought the waters but also played a crucial role assisting people and places in need. I chose to draw a flood because when you hear the word firefighters, the first thing you think of is a hero fighting a massive fire but they are much more then that. They fight land slides, flash floods and so many more disasters! This artwork was partly inspired by Gregg Dreise and his style of Aboriginal art. I’ve always found it fascinating, studying the dots and lines of the unique style. In the background, I drew gum tree leaves and golden wattles, strong symbols of Australia’s national identity. The blue sun and it’s radiating rays demonstrate the after effects of a flood, washing away colour and homes. The effects this disaster can cause is disheartening and shows the leadership and knowledge needed in order to aid a community. I hid each of the eight floral emblems of Australia including the golden wattle in the artwork, symbolising even at the most dreadful times when all is lost, flowers still bloom and hope is still there."

FRNSW were also represented at the event by Acting Commissioner Michael Morris, who presented the FRNSW Commissioner’s Choice Award to the winner Rebecca Feng (Year 6) for her work Unburned Courage where she received a FRNSW giftpack from the Museum. Rebecca's artwork will be displayed in the emergency services academy at Orchard Hills and will also be added to the Museum’s permanent collection. She describes her artwork: “I was inspired by women in firefighting, and their ‘unburned courage’. I took inspiration from a photo I found online and used to create something that symbolises the perception of women, and their bravery. This shows how far we have come today in our view of this society.”

Councillor Todd Carney, Mayor of Penrith also presented the People's Choice Award to winner Elsie Kuhn (Kindergarten) for her work Girls Can Do It, which was voted by the public. In her own words "Girls can do anything and help each other look after people and animals. Firefighters are brave and strong, especially girls. This is a drawing of my Aunty and I saving the day."

In addition, we had Fire and Rescue NSW Assistant Commissioner Cheryl Steer and Superintend Belinda Hooker assist in the presentation.

Thank you for joining us and I hope to see you back for the 2026 exhibition with the theme Dogs in Firefighting! We look forward to seeing the artworks the children will produce for the art competition next year, so get your creative juices flowing and start preparing!

See the full list of award winners below, which you can see on display at the Museum of Fire until Sunday 8th March 2026!