26th NSW RFS State Championships

Competition was blazing hot as hundreds of firefighters and catering crew members across the state gathered together in Albury Wodonga Equestrian Centre for the 26th NSW Rural Fire Service State Championships, which ran from Friday, 13 to Sunday, 15 September.

Defending State Champion Oakville Rural Fire Brigade scored 2nd and 3rd positions this season. Although they were unable to keep the crown, their longstanding State Champion streak is forever written on the books. Oakville RFB held the spot for the last three Championships and has a total of six wins in the past.

Senior Deputy Captain Brandon Beneke, Deputy Captain Cameron Panton, Deputy Captain Mitchell Dalley, and Firefighters Kurtis Ripper and Nathan Jessop made up the Oakville RFB team.

“We love competing here,” said Senior Deputy Captain Brandon Beneke to the NSW RFS.

“It’s great to be able to meet the other teams from across the state and just to challenge ourselves with these scenarios.”

This year’s Overall State Champion is Vacy RFB, followed by Tuncurry and then Catherine Field in the third. Orchard Hills Black Lambs took the lead in the Overall Junior State Champions, Illawarra Cadets in the silver, and Lavington Black Ants in the bronze. See NSW RFS State Champions for the full list.

In its RFS State Championship debut, East Kurrajong already placed two 1st place wins in the PACFIRE Hacienda and Code 3 South of the Border scenarios.

The team comprised Deputy Captain Adam Henson, Operational Officer Aiden Hippensteel, and Firefighters Cameron Luck, Kale Chesworth, and Claudia Virzi.

Deputy Captain Henson shared that they are proud of the team placing first out of 15 brigades in the Hacienda scenario. It involved what they may typically encounter in the Hills and Hawkesbury areas, such as a structure fire, spot fires, a homeowner to protect, locked gates, gas and other flammable materials.

Code 3 South of the Border tested the firefighters’ endurance, quick recall of basic firefighting techniques, problem-solving, and teamwork. It had, among many, putting out hay bale fires, crawling through a tunnel, and a finale of scooping out a drumful green liquid and filling 100 litres into another.

“We are very lucky here at East Kurrajong RFB to have a great bunch of people to work with, and we all get along so well. It is like my ‘second family’,” Deputy Captain Henson said.

“This is a young team, and I have been lucky enough to be involved in their basic firefighting training from day one and have been able to watch them develop into some of the best firefighters in the state.”

Firefighter Luck said the two 1st places are a testament to their preparedness: “Being our first championships, the two 1st places were an amazing bonus, and reinforces the fact that we are prepared for the readily approaching fire season.”

While all eyes are on Dubbo, Captain Henson said all wins and skills gained are for helping the community: “Now that we know what is involved in these events, the nerves will be gone and our goal is to come back again in Dubbo 2026, fitter and better and be crowned best in the state!”

The Hawkesbury Catering Team brought home the bacon in the ‘Eat Street’ Challenge, coming out on top against Southern Highlands and Clarence Valley in the third. The crew comprised Angela Bateson, David Putland, Les Jenkins, and Jake Pepper from Dumarsq Brigade, New England.

Jenkins was also awarded the Individual Team Player Award. The team has been representing Hawkesbury at every State Championships since 2014 and has placed within the top three each time.

They prepared the Mexican-themed menu items consisting of the Breakfast Burrito, Beef Quesadilla, and Fruit tub.

Hawkesbury Catering Team Brigade Captain Vanessa Mepham commended the team for their team dynamics and efficiency and looks forward to defending their title in Dubbo.

“The [Team] performed to a very high standard and carried out all tasks asked of them. They worked well together. All teams were judged on numerous tasks, which included general hygiene, practices, team work, communication, taste, and presentation, this is just to name a few,” Captain Mepham said.

“I am extremely proud of not only the Hawkesbury Team but all teams, as many of them participated in their first Eat Street Catering Challenge. It is a great opportunity for like-minded volunteers from across the State to come together and share their knowledge and ideas with each other.”

Captain Mepham shared the crew was on Cloud 9 after the win: “As Captain of the Hawkesbury Catering Brigade, I called Angela Bateson as Crew Leader to congratulate the team.”

“Angela was extremely excited and proud that after attending each State Championships, she finally came away with a win, and lead a great team of people.”

“In speaking with each of our members, including Jake, they are so happy with what they all achieved as it is long hours and hard work, not only on the days of competition, but months leading into the competition as Catering Teams have to meet and prepare menus and recipes in advance.”

Unfortunately, The Hills Catering Team, composed of Karen Madafiglio, Cathy Seymour, Steph Charter, and another crew from a different brigade, was unable to land a spot but were able to dish out filling Mexican-themed dishes to fill up the hungry crowd.

Six groups had to prepare and serve 85 portions of an assigned breakfast, lunch, and snack item according to various food items set by the NSW Rural Fire Service Association. The teams had their own hawker-style booths and were judged on their recipes, budget adherence, and taste, among many others.