Supporters celebrate Mid North Coast Fire Museum's official opening

Supporters gathered on Saturday, November 27 to celebrate the museum's official opening and then browse through the displays honouring the region's firefighting history.

Mid North Coast Fire Museum patron Janette Hyde said the museum was a testament to vision and determination.

The Port Macquarie museum displays memorabilia collected by the late Mate McWhirter, other collections and memorabilia from the former fire station in Port Macquarie's Hay Street.

Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams congratulated everyone involved in establishing the fire museum.

She said the museum showcased an incredible collection.

Fire & Rescue NSW Assistant Commissioner regional operations Rob McNeil said firefighting and emergency services were built on storytelling.

"That is how our firefighters and emergency services workers learn and pass on the stories but they also pass on the community spirit from person to person, to serve the community," he said.

Assistant Commissioner McNeil said without our emergency services personnel, our communities became vulnerable.

He said the stories coming out of these museums kept the spirit alive.

The Mid North Coast Fire Museum captures the history of Port Macquarie's first fire brigade, the achievements of the Port Macquarie brigade in firefighting championships over the years and much more.

Displays include a 100-year-old Dennis firefighting pump, uniforms through the ages, hoses, standpipes, hydrants, a 1935 Dennis fire truck and a replica of the first fire truck used in Port Macquarie.

Mid North Coast Fire Restoration Group president Don Davidson spoke about the road to establish the purpose-built museum.

He said the fire museum was a long-held dream.

"It was a labour of love," Mr Davidson said.

"It took some time and a lot of work but we got there."

The museum at 12 Stevens Street opens on the fourth Saturday of every month and intermittently at other times over the holiday period.

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