Celebrate the Coolamon Fire Museum’s 10th birthday at this year’s Fire Engine Muster! From left to right: Joanne Berry, Mark Treble and Chris Berry. Photo: Supplied.
Riverina residents are invited to the Coolamon Fire Museum’s 10th birthday at the Fire Engine Muster on 5 October from 10 am to 4 pm.
Aside from a couple of years during COVID, the Fire Engine Muster has been a museum staple since it first opened its doors in 2015.
There will be more than 50 market and food stalls, displays and demonstrations from the Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, Ambulance, Police, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and St John’s. Around 80 hot rods will be there on the day, alongside other vintage cars from car clubs. The museum’s 10th anniversary will be celebrated with a birthday song and cake.
The Coolamon Fire Engine Muster in 2018 featured the Fire & Rescue NSW Band & Marching Team and around 3000 visitors. Photo: Coolamon Fire Museum.
The day will start with a welcome from Coolamon Shire Mayor David McCann, and Deputy Fire Brigade Commissioner Michael Morris and Fire Brigade Chaplain Jason Goodhart will also give tributes.
If you’re feeling competitive, there will also be a Firefighter’s Fun Relay for groups of four.
Museum manager Chris Berry said there were even people who travelled from Sydney to take part in the relay.
“On the day, I’m so busy I don’t get to see anything,” Mr Berry said.
“It’s 7 o’clock, next thing you know it’s 4 o’clock and everything’s all over.”
The family-friendly event will also have entertainment for kids. Aside from the attraction of rides and games, children will be able to look through a fire truck and see how it works.
Mr Berry would like to encourage more people to consider a career in firefighting.
“People can come and see if they’d like to join the fire brigade, Rural Fire Service and the SES,” he said.
“A lot of volunteers come during the day.
“They have what they call ‘on-call firefighters’. You’re on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You get paid for everything you do. And the Rural Fire Services, that are volunteers.”
The Fire Engine Muster in 2019. Photo: Coolamon Fire Museum.
Museum manager Joanne Berry said the muster would be a day to celebrate local heroes, and it attracted thousands of visitors to Coolamon each year.
The event will feature live music by Mel Mayor, and there will also be a Monster Raffle worth more than $4000, with eight prizes that will be drawn at 2:30 pm.
Awards will be handed out for the Firefighter’s Fun Relay, Best Presented Emergency Vehicle, Best Presented Display, Best Presented Dress Uniform, and Best Presented Vintage Car.
The Coolamon Fire Engine Muster will take place on 5 October (Sunday) at the Coolamon Fire Museum. Entry is free, but donations are welcome. For more information, visit the event’s webpage.
