FRNSW Corrimal Fire Station celebrates a century of community service | Corrimal
Published: 03 Feb 2025 11:50am
Fire and Rescue NSW’s (FRNSW) Corrimal Fire Station is celebrating a century of serving and protecting the community north of Wollongong.
FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell joined dignitaries including the Federal Member for Cunningham Alison Byrnes and the NSW Minister for Health and Member for Keira Ryan Park at the station on Saturday.
Local Aboriginal Elder Uncle Peter Button conducted a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony.
A book detailing the station’s 100-year history, written by Deputy Captain Graham Yates, was also launched at the event. The 72-page publication covers the station’s history and features over 50 photographs.
History:
- Corrimal Fire Brigade was founded on 1 January 1925 in a shed on Main Road that housed a Captain and five firefighters.
- A permanent station was built in 1929 and is still in use today.
- The first Captain, Tom Sunderland, emigrated from England with six years’ experience in London’s fire service and led the station for 37 years. Since then, seven other Captains have served at Corrimal.
Over the past 100 years, Corrimal firefighters have responded to the following significant incidents:
- 1946 Corrimal School of Arts fire
- 1968 Wollongong escarpment bushfire
- 1971 Roma Picture Theatre building fire
- 1973 Firestone factory fire at Thirroul
- 1994 Sutherland/Royal National Park bushfires
- 1996 Corrimal Scout Hall fire
- 1999 Sydney Eastern Suburbs hail storm
- 2001 Helensburgh bush fire
- 2004 ethanol tank bulk storage fire at Port Kembla
- 2018 Corrimal High School fire; and
- 2019/20 Black Summer bush fires.
Today, Corrimal Fire Station has 17 firefighters and attends, on average, 300-400 incidents a year.
Quotes attributable to FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell: “This is a special day for the firefighters at Corrimal, and I thank everyone who has contributed to the station’s rich history over the last century.
“For generations, Corrimal firefighters have responded to all manner of emergencies to protect lives and property.
“Firefighting operations have changed significantly over the last 100 years. Today, the 17 firefighters stationed at Corrimal have modern fire engines and the latest equipment and technology to protect themselves and the community.
“The one thing that hasn’t changed is the courage and commitment shown by Corrimal firefighters, past and present, and we are incredibly proud of them all.”
Updated: 06 Mar 2026 6:51pm