For the first time since 2001 the grandiose Australiasian Firefighting Championships trophy is returning to Tamworth, and it might be up to the Kootingal RFS team to keep it here.
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Next month the city will be flooded with firefighters as Tamworth hosts the championships for the first time, however West Tamworth 508 stalwart Rob Eckersley is all too familiar with the silverware, after being tasked with creating it in 2001.
"I am a carpenter so I got thrown in the deep end, and had to come up with the design," he said.
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Mr Eckersley excelled, creating a huge monument that "folds out like a book", and includes a cup first won in 1892 that was later recovered from the Young tip, two axes, wooden hoses, and the badge of every agency that has ever competed, as well as an honour board of winners.
"It was made in Tamworth, but no Tamworth team have ever won it," Mr Eckersley said.
"Kootingal are red hot favourites this year, so hopefully it can stay."
The championships are being held from October 17 to 19 on a tailor-made Gipps Street field, and include 10 entertaining events such as the ladder climbs, hose and hydrant races and the wet hose marshall.
"The community are welcome - there will also be static displays for the public, vintage fire engines and food stalls," Mr Eckersley said.
Fire and Rescue NSW are trucking in 30,000 litres of water for the championships, with the remainder to be used to top-up the region's Rural Fire Service tanks.
