Demonstrations began in the last quarter of the 19th century. Originally they were known as ‘Grand Colonial Demonstrations’ and it would be soon after that they would became known as State Demonstrations following Federation in 1901. Forbes, Armidale, Dubbo and others would host the last lot of State Demonstrations, with the final one being in Corowa in 1909 prior to the formation of the Board of Fire Commissioners (and the NSW Fire Brigades) in 1910.
Representatives of the Board of Fire Commissioners attended Demonstrations at Geelong (Vic) and Bunbury (WA) in 1928, Perth (WA) 1929, Bendigo (Vic) 1930 and Ballarat (Vic) 1931 to investigate the possible re-introduction of Demonstrations in NSW.
At the Junee Convention in July 1931 conducted by the Board of Fire Commissioners, it was decided,“that a Volunteer Fire Brigade Demonstration be held as soon as possible”.
Thankfully this idea was held true as the first Demonstration under the auspices of the Board of Fire Commissioner's was held at Wagga Wagga in 1932, followed by Newcastle in 1934.
90 years ago in 1935, Katoomba hosted the third Demonstration in November of that year.
The program included a torchlight procession followed by a recital by the NSW Fire Brigades Band at Leura Cascades on Tuesday 19th November and an exhibition of Ancient Fire Appliances, including charriot races – all in costume on Wednesday 20th.
In total, 95 teams from across the State gathered for five days of competition.
Even though this was only the third Demonstration hosted by the Board of Fire Commissioners, the Demo's had generated a keen interest from brigades all across the state of NSW. One such team who travelled extensively to come to the 1935 Katoomba Demonstrations was Mullumbimby. The crew of Mullumbimby would end up boarding the steam boat the SS Orara at Byron Bay for Sydney, followed then by travelling to Katoomba by train to compete and thusly, returning home the same way, truly showing the keeness of brigades at the time to compete.
The Board of Fire Commissioners even allowed for travel concessions to allow teams to travel from far and wide to come along to the competition as the following quote demonstrates especially in the case of Mullumbimby, “…single fare plus one third for the return journey will apply in connection with this Demonstration”.
The Demonstrations were an affair that involved more then just the competition itseld with the Katoomba Citizens Committee organising tours "of the more prominent local points of interest for ladies and visitors accompanying teams".
Brigades were required to provide names to act as stand-bys whilst the teams attended the Demonstration so that there was no disruption to the usual activities of the fire brigade, that being the protection of people and property from fire.
In total the Demonstration contained 18 events which were hose & hydrant, ladder practice, alarm rush & fire extinguisher, alarm & rescue and 100 yards championship for single competitors, discipline, 2 hose cart events, 2 hose reel events, 5 Dennis and 2 Garford motor events for teams, and lastly, rescue from a building for 2 men.
Brigades from the state’s south proved to be the best competitors with Narrandera winning the Alfred Webb Cup from Orange, Wagga, Junee and Lockhart.
Narrandera went on to win the Alfred Webb Cup again at Tamworth in 1937 and at Katoomba in 1939.
-Story by Championship Historian, John Hand
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