A.C.T. Bushfire Fighters Field Day 1994

You would reckon with the A.C.T. experiencing its fourth driest winter on record, the A.C.T. drought declared and the average rainfall in the ACT region for the last few months under 10mm, that the main concern for holding the Annual Volunteer Bushfire Fighters Field Day on October 2 1994 would have been the high fire danger.

So while the 22 millimeters or so of rainfall was surely welcomed by the drought affected farmers in the region, it did cause a few 'minor' problems for the organisers of the Field Day.

The Field Day was opened by the Minister for Urban Services, Mr David Lamont and events continued in a somewhat ‘ad hoc’ manner throughout the day, with all crews getting an opportunity to compete in all events. The day ended , with a Bush Dance at the Yarralumla Woolshed.

While the weather conditions were not the best, all the competitors competed in the true spirit of the day. It was particularly gratifying to have a number of Departmental crews and a fairly large contingent of NSW crews competing. They provided some stiff competition for the local crews.

The Rivers Volunteer Bushfire Brigade hosted the day, however a number of individuals and groups assisted them to make it a success. These include Steve Meatheringham from the Mt Stromlo Observatory Brigade; Mick Brice, Dennis Collins and Chris Corsini from A.C.T. City Parks who were the judges for the chainsaw event; Brian Murphy; the sponsors who provided some excellent prizes; the A.C.T. Fire Brigade for their lunchtime demo; St John’s Ambulance for running the First Aid event; the A.C.T. Emergency Services who provided unbiased judging; superb catering both during the day and at the Bush Dance after and finally to all the competitors, who made the day a memorable one.

Field Day Results

TANKER EVENT (Sponsored by A.C.T.E.W.)
First : Rivers Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
Second : Rivers Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
Third: Peak View Bush Fire Brigade (Cooma-Monaro Shire)

LIGHT UNIT EVENT (Sponsored By Canberra Toyota & Hall Metal Fabrication)
First: Southern Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
Second: Rivers Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
Third: Rivers Volunteer Bushfire Brigade

HANDTOOL EVENT (Sponsored by Working Gear)
First: Murrumbateman Bush Fire Brigade
Second: Guises Creek Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
Third: Peak View Bush Fire Brigade (Cooma-Monaro Shire)

PORTABLE PUMP EVENT (Sponsored by Hall Rural Centre)
First: Murrumbateman Bush Fire Brigade
Second: Shannons Flat Bush Fire Brigade (Cooma-Monaro Shire)
Third: MSO Volunteer Bushfire Brigade

FIRST AID EVENT (Sponsored by Australian Defence Industries - Sydney)
First: Rivers Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
Second: Murrumbateman Bush Fire Brigade
Third: Jerrabomberra Volunteer Bushfire Brigade & MSO Volunteer Bushfire Brigade

CHAINSAW EVENT (Sponsored by STIHL - Sydney)
First: Gus Rapley - Murrumbateman Bush Fire Brigade
Second: Rein Peet - Shannons Flat Bush Fire Brigade (Cooma-Monaro Shire)
Third: Ted Hopkins - Peak View Bush Fire Brigade (Cooma-Monaro Shire)

EMERGENCY EXERCISE (Sponsored By Kirks Petroleum - Caltex)
First: Hall Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
Second: ACT Emergency Services
Third: Peak View Bush Fire Brigade (Cooma-Monaro Shire)

BEST A.C.T. BRIGADE (Sponsored by Formach)
Rivers Volunteer Bushfire Brigade

BEST INTERSTATE BRIGADE (Sponsored by Southern Petroleum)
Murrumbateman Bush Fire Brigade

BEST PRESENTED FIRE VEHICLE (Sponsored by Queanbeyan Rural Centre)
Rivers 11 (Tanker)

‘The W.R. McCormack Memorial Trophy for the Best Presented Light Unit’
Guises Creek 20.

A.C.T. BUSH FIRE COUNCIL SAFETY AWARD (Sponsored by Gerald Slaven)
Shannons Flat Bush Fire Brigade (Cooma-Monaro Shire)

NOVELTY EVENT Sponsored by ACE Duffy
ACT Emergency Services