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FIELD and GAME FEDERATION of AUSTRALIA Inc. |
NEWS
Volume 03 Issue 3 September 2003
Presidents Comments
Have you seen the results from the World Titles? The results were one of the best performances ever by an Australian team. Look for the report elsewhere in this newsletter. Congratulations to the team and everyone involved in supporting them.
I know that I have said it before but time does seem to go by very quickly when one gets older! It seems no time at all since we were talking about the Nationals last year and they are almost on us again. Do come to Tasmania. It will be a great experience.
At the same time as the Nationals are held we also hold our Annual General Meeting and General Meeting. If you have any matter that you wished discussed please contact your State Association representatives.
If I am not re-elected as the President, I take this opportunity to thank you for your support of our Organisation and trust that you will continue to do so.
I have been privileged to be the National President of your Organisation.
Till next time….
Cheryl Arnol
2003 FITASC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, CLAYTHORNE LODGE KANSAS, USA
The thought of travelling to the USA at this moment in history was not without a few reservations to say the least. All options considered, you cannot afford to let the chance of competing at a World Championship slip by otherwise it's a case of "another year gone & I wish we had gone". The route chosen for the team went through Tokyo & onto the USA. This route (apart from going through NZ) offered a way around Asia, which at this present time was an agreed choice.
The start of the trip was definitely not one of the best. The expected norm these days of over officious check in people lived up to its reputation. I do not believe I am the only one who travels regular with a firearm, who is getting sick to the back teeth with the treatment by airline representatives who do not have the slightest clue about firearms & how to process them or with the assumption that you must be some form of criminal element to even want to own a firearm!.
We are informed by the staff that, " We have to be sure of passenger safety" & of this & that, blah, blah, blah. OK I understand this, but I have had enough of the negative (hostile?) nonsense. What "undesirable?" would turn up at an airport with all the necessary paperwork (including the airline in question, dangerous goods clearance) declares the firearm & hand it over to them for safekeeping?
No matter what your personal thoughts are at the time, you
have to remain calm & let it work it's way through the system, just
like a case of "Deli belly". After an hour of the "nonsense"
the Brisbane element were finally "processed" by the system. With
a snap of the rubber gloves from the processing staff we finally made the
connecting flight to Sydney to pick up the International flight, & meet
& greet the other team members (Maybe it is just a Brisbane thing).
On reflection it is not just a Brisbane thing. After the flight reached
the final destination we find the Victorian contingent who flew out of Melbourne
had become detached from their firearms. Again we go through the system
& leave it with the Airline to track them down. The guns show up two
days later after a cock up by Qantas….Good on yer, nice one Qantas.
What else was going to go wrong ? nothing???… The accommodation was great,
the food plentiful, the weather hot & humid (well Queensland thought
it was OK), and the fireworks displays. All we needed now was a dancing
girl.
Fireworks seem to be a main industry in Kansas with warehouses everywhere selling them. The Victorians lived up to the "Mexican" label (Being South of the border they would have to), buying enough Dynamite to blow up half of Kansas & themselves in the process, good fun in moderation, even the fun Police thought so.
The Shooting grounds were about 40 minutes drive from the Loma Linda Golf & Country Club Resort (our accommodation address). Being on the closer side of Joplin we did not have any town driving, all country work, which made life easy. Joplin although in the state of Missouri is on the borders of two other states Kansas & Oklahoma. This area was the true "Wild West" with Oklahoma Indian Territory back in those days. Oklahoma was used as a hide out for many of the Outlaws escaping from the authorities. This state harboured one of the last true outlaw gangs, The Dalton gang, who undoing was the famous one last job routine. They crossed over the border back into Kansas to raid two banks at the same time at a place called Coffreyvile in October 1892. The raid is history, needless to say crime did not pay, even more so in those days.
The other part of history to this area was the American
Civil war. Kansas with its allegiance to the North & with Oklahoma /
Missouri siding with the South, were on the front line. Not only did we
have great shooting ahead, we also had history lessons!.
The Shooting grounds at Claythorne Lodge were immaculate, although you had
to keep an eye out for the Golf Carts transporting the American competitors
around (walking ? what's that ?) & everyone settled in with the cartridges
& a few rounds of practice prior to the main event.
Forget trying to convert prices into Aussie dollars & just pay. In Australia we are relatively lucky with the cost of shooting. In America Target Shooting is big business, with no club being run on a voluntary basis, all clubs are set up to make money. This in itself is not a bad thing, the sport gains from the money generated & from the professional input it breeds. Maybe Australia could learn from this lead, the sport is growing at an astronomical rate in America & that cannot be all bad.
Squads were drawn & the competition lay ahead. The areas selected were all on virgin shooting ground with no home advantage. We were told that these grounds had not been shot over before & from my observations I would agree. The area use to be mined for coal in seams just under the surface (open cast mining). This was done with huge drag diggers. The channels that were left filled with water over time to form canals & many of the stands used these water obstacles in their design, with two of the grounds having to be accessed by boat. This was a novel way to travel to a shooting ground. The layouts had been set over 8 separate Parcours, which forms the best FITASC shooting. You know that some of the targets you will only see once. The only downfall with 8 Parcours lies with it's concept. You cannot go back & toughen or soften the layout after the first shot is fired, unlike the 4 Parcour layouts. In retrospect you can also say the target setters do not know their job if you rely on this type of thinking, but it is a fine line between a course being good or impossible.
Day 1
The teams settled down well from the very first target .As individuals the
top Australians in their class were: 2nd O/A open Damien Birgan 48/50 (one
round shot clean), 16th Juniors Daniel Johnson 42/50, 49th Veterans Bob
Vittori 38/50,
The team positions after day one
Open Team 2nd 180/200 ( 1st Great Britain 183/200),
Juniors 3rd 123/150 ( 1st USA 134/150, 2nd France 126/150)
Veterans 4th 108/150 ( 1st USA 129/150, 2nd GB 128/150 3rd France 117/150
Ladies (Individual) Maree Birgan 46/50 1st Ladies,
Mike Birgan deserves credit for his first day score of
45/50 being the third placed Australian. A "hat trick" with the
Birgan Family leading the way for Australia
For some reason the Australian team positions were not indicated in the
results. This was dangerous for the other Countries, they do not see us
coming. This oversight was corrected for the next three days. Good solid
shooting from all members, but it is early days.
Day 2
The expectations from the conversation with the members
the previous night were more of the same. Initial indications on the targets
were that they have been set on the easier side. Was this confidence showing
or a true reflection of the targets set or possibly the skill level now
being achieved in Australia? Are we now, in Australia, competing easier
with the rest of the world ? Are we able to handle the targets without being
intimidated?
Damien Birgan 92/100 6th O/A open , Daniel Johnson / Chris Brown 86/100
9th Juniors,
Barry Jane 78/100 35th Veterans,
The team positions after day two
Open Team 4th 353/400
(1st GB 362/400, 2nd USA 359/400, 3rd France 355/400)
Juniors 3rd 252/300
(1st USA 258/300, 2nd France 253/300)
Veterans 4th 223/300
(1st USA 258/300, 2nd GB 254/300 3rd France 236/300)
Ladies (Individual) 2nd O/A Maree Birgan 84/100
(1st Katie Brown GB 89/100)
Everyone settled into the second day. The three Juniors supported each other well & kept up good averages Chris Brown 45/50, Daniel Johnson 44/50, James Clancy 40/50. The same in the seniors, apart from a slight glitch in the open team with one bad round of 16/25 from Peter Tobin who finished 38/50 for the day. On the other hand Craig MacPherson had a brilliant day with 47/50, Sox 45/50, Damien 44/50. The Veterans were finding the pace fast & furious, although Barry Jane posted a respectable score 44/50, Bob Vittori, 40/50 Warwick Cumberland 31/50. This pace is understandable when you consider some of the other contenders now in Veterans used to be world champions & age has not blunted their skills in any form. The scores of these foreign Veterans are still competitive in the open classes!
Maree Birgan 38/50, in the Ladies slipped a couple of targets
on Day 2 but still shot well to keep a position in this class not seen for
a long time by an Australian Lady.
Day 3
Half way through, still no nerves showing from the teams. I tried to keep everyone away from the scoreboard. The fewer distractions the better & thinking "If only" on the targets that have been missed uses up to much positive energy. What's gone is gone, just concentrate on the most important target, which is as we all know, the next one.
Again the three Juniors supported each other well. Chris Brown 45/50, Daniel Johnson 44/50, James Clancy 40/50. The same in the seniors for the day, Craig MacPherson 48/50 (one round shot clean), Peter Tobin 47/50 (This more than made up for his slip from the previous day with one round also shot clean), Sox 46/50, Damien 44/50. The Veterans, Warwick Cumberland 41/50 Barry Jane 39/50, Bob Vittori, 32/50. Ladies Maree Birgan 41/50
The team positions after day three
Open Team 3rd 538/600
(1st USA 546/600, 3rd France 538/600, 4th GB 536/600)
Juniors 3rd 373 /450
(1st USA 392/450, 2nd France 381/450)
Veterans 4th 337/450
(1st GB 390/450, 2nd USA 382/450, 3rd France 365/450)
Ladies (Individual) 2nd O/A Maree Birgan 125/150
(1stKatie Brown GB 130/100)
The open team had an excellent day 3 picking up targets & a position. The Juniors began to chase down the French & USA teams. Maree in the Ladies still held onto 2nd place, again a brilliant performance in this class.
The team members are becoming hardened to this level of competition & it certainly shows with a tremendous Day 3 from everyone.
Day 4 Final day
The last day of competition with everyone in a confident
mood knowing a few good scores will keep us up in the rankings. But the
chance of excelling with better scores than just average will lift the positions
even higher. Time to dig deep. The line held with a fantastic last day from
all of the team.
Juniors: Daniel Johnson 47/50, Chris Brown 43/50, James Clancy 39/50 .
Seniors: Peter Tobin 48/50 (another round shot clean,), Sox 48/50 (one round
shot clean), Damien 46/50, Craig MacPherson 43/50.
The Veterans: Warwick Cumberland 35/50, Barry Jane 32/50, and Bob Vittori,
28/50.
Ladies: Maree Birgan 39 /50
The scores shot by Peter over the last half of the competition put to rest
the 16/25 round
He shot on the second day.
The team positions Final day
Open Team 2nd 723/800
(1st USA 725/800, 3rd France 716/800, 4th GB 715/800)
Juniors 3rd 502 /600
(1st USA 520/600, 2nd France 504/600)
Veterans 4th 430/600
(1st GB 517/600, 2nd USA 502/600, 3rd France 498/600)
Ladies (Individual) 4th O/A Maree Birgan 164/200
(1st Katie Brown GB 169/200)
There we have it , WHAT A RESULT, For the individual team members & for their efforts in representing their Country & The Field & Game Federation of Australia. I just hope the rest of the Federation members realize how much of an influence this type of result gives to all of our shooting sports both Competition & believe it or not, hunting. The Government of the day takes notice of success. It gives the sport a recognizable face of professionalism. Please show your appreciation to the team members for their efforts if your paths should cross.
But wait, there's more. Australia's success did not end
there.
We still have the accumulated results to be counted for the World cup. For
those who do not know of this competition, it is a made up of three competitions,
Oceania (or similar accepted FITASC competition from other countries) Grand
Prix (which was instigated this year at Geelong for our region to have access
to the World cup, without travelling overseas to compete) & the World
Championships.
Those who achieved a result from their actions at this accumulated
event
Open: 3rd position: Damien Birgan
Ladies: 3rd position: Maree Birgan
Veterans: 3rd position: Warwick Cumberland
Juniors: 3rd position : Chris Brown
The result from this World Championships reinforces the Gold Medal that
Australia won in Belgium in August 2000. We are no longer the underdogs
at these events with 3 top ten places in the Open, 4th Sox, 8th Damien Birgan,8th
Craig MacPherson, Two of our Juniors, 4th Daniel Johnson, 8th Chris Brown
& Ladies, 4th Maree Birgan.
What a tremendous effort from these ambassadors to our sport. My only regret was Federation not having a full Australian Ladies team to field at this years event because, we would have been in with a certainty of a placing with the quality of competitors that we now have in this class in Australia (Now that’s what I call a bold statement).
Damien Birgan also won outright the Clay Snooker Budweiser
Challenge. Each country was requested for two of it's top shooters to compete
in a knock out competition which took place on the Second day of competition
in the evening (Sox being the second name). Damien progressed all the way
taking some big names in the process & finalising his outright win against
Wendell Cherry of the USA.
Winning $2000 American dollars for his efforts. Another great result from
Damien.
If it sounds like I have blown out the victory trumpet for
Australia watch this space. Next year the 2004 World Championships are being
held in Portugal… Bring it on…
(Hot off the press this is the Confirmed country for next year’s event)
Before I go just a word of warning. Do not under any circumstances
offer James Clancy (or as his is now known, James "Chukky" Clancy)
a ride inside your car (in the back of an open ute would be OK, possibly).
The poor little lad gets terribly sick on a journey, it could not have been
my driving, and maybe he just has a nervous disposition. I have proof, so
does the poor individual who was unlucky enough to be joining the freeway
at the very same moment in time that the team made it's way back to the
airport for the trip home. I'm sure the hire car was beginning to loose
its paint finish down the right hand side. Not good form James, especially
with the thermometer hovering @ 35c of heat.
Next year if you make the team, you walk.
Glen Rider
Team Manager
FITASC News
FITASC has been in disarray for the last 15 Months.
The French Courts ruled the elections that were conducted in 2002 as illegal.
This necessitated a new election, which was held in Paris on 2nd August
2003.
Our votes went to support Jean Francois Palinkas who was successfully elected
as President of FITASC.
Ray McFarlane was elected as a FITASC Vice President and a member of the
Comite de Direction.
Glen Rider was elected to the FITASC Sporting Commission.
The election of Palinkas as President should ensure that FITASC is operated as a more democratic Organisation. An Organisation that is there for the betterment of the Shotgun Shooting Sports and its participants.
A decision will be made in the near future on the location of the various venues for FITASC international events in 2004.
Following on from the success of our Australian shooters in the 2003 FITASC World Cup, Geelong Sporting Clays will again conduct a FITASC grand Prix in 2004.
This will enable our members to once again qualify to compete for medals in the FITASC World Cup.
What a year 2003 has been on the International scene. Under the control of Team Manager Glen Rider our Team at the World Championships, picked up a silver medal in the Senior’s team, bronze medallists in Junior Teams, three in top ten for seniors.
Exceptional performances from Sox’, 4th overall and Maree, 4th in ladies.
Add to this, medals in all categories of the World Cup
Well Done Team
Ray McFarlane
Nationals 2004
Be aware that the Nationals next year is in Brisbane and most likely dates are mid September. Date to be confirmed.
On this occasion our usual date for the Nationals is being brought forward to dodge the severe weather conditions (Heat) that can exist on our usual date in November.
So what happened to the “beautiful one day perfect the next”
FROM THE STATES
TASMANIA
HUNTING/CONSERVATION
June
Despite the presence of Laurie Levy duck opening at Moulting Lagoon was
relatively quiet. A number of Victorian hunters were present but because
of low water and poor duck numbers most of them did not shoot. Federation
President Cheryl Arnol was on hand to deal with media and potential problems.
The northern and western parts of the State were much more productive for
duck hunting.
On the weekend of the 26-27th April deer hunters from a few areas met for social gatherings and trophy displays, because of game management the number of high quality heads is nothing short of amazing. Those hunting groups who choose to ignore the value of quality deer management will continue to go nowhere. The realization that it only takes around three years to produce good heads would see better quality heads. Over two hundred hunters attended the Annual Deer Expo at Bothwell and some of the heads were magnificent. Bob Blake has been elected President of T.D.A.C. and would like any member with any problems relating to deer or matters of interest regarding deer to contact him.
There is a move by a conservation group to purchase Long Point on Moulting Lagoon – this could mean problems for duck hunters in the area.
This year we again had a display at Agfest, the site attracted many visitors. Several topics were addressed like foxes, WIT tests, feral cats etc. Gerald Schnitzhoffer’s freeze dried possums, and rabbits and birds with “attitude” were a great hit. Thanks go to Nathan Britton, Kevin Preece & Don Urquhart for their help. The lack of support from members was disappointing; it would only take a dozen or so people to man the site comfortably over the three days. The time has come to form a subcommittee to be responsible for promotions.
A bright spot in the year has been the apparent acceptance by members of the increase in fees set by Federation last year. There is no doubt that Field & Game is giving more support to its members than any other organization in our field of interest.
There is still some fine-tuning to be done on the lead shot issue, but it is certain lead shot will be phased out in 2006.
It needs to be remembered that a new President will be necessary next year, being President alone is not a big job so please keep this position in mind.
August
In the last few days the minister has signed off on the lead/non toxic shot
issue next year (2004) for duck hunting. An education program will commence
to inform hunters of the safety and or danger of steel shot in shotguns.
Hunters are urged very strongly to seek informed advise on what can, but
more importantly advice on what cannot be used in their guns.
Wood Duck breeding is well and truly under way in all areas. Our prediction to Parks and Wildlife people is certainly about to come true. Hunters who are regularly in the field are reporting increased Wood Duck activity. With the addition of Wood Ducks to the bag in 2004, hunters will be required to assist in surveys on ducks. It is critically important that hunters cooperate in these surveys. If you know a fellow hunter who is not a member of an organization (and they should be), make sure they know about the survey and take part in it.
You will all be aware that the Nationals will be held in mid November. While Northern Midlands is the host club, Tasmanian Clay Target shooting and the State in general will be on show. Members of all clubs are encouraged to assist Northern Midlands if and when help is required.
Peter Darke
Tasmanian Field and Game Report
(As appeared in Tasmanian Farmer June 2003)
Rosevears MLC Kerry Finch recently called for more action to control the feral cat problem in Tasmania.
There should be no reason why the Fox Taskforce should not
be encouraged to be active in controlling this problem. CSIRO studies show
that there are 12 million feral cats in Australia and they are responsible
for killing 3.4million native species per day.
The Fox Taskforce has set in place it’s plan for the 2003-4 year, which
has been endorsed by the Minister.
Western Australian scientist Jack Kinnear, a recognised authority on foxes recently conducted a study on the performance of the taskforce. In his report, Kinnear gave many reasons why a serious rise in numbers of foxes in Tasmania would be more disastrous than an outbreak of foot and mouth disease. A number of self professed experts have been vocal on talkback radio recently with their advice for the taskforce. If they are so expert on the subject maybe they could offer their services?
We are continually receiving enquiries regarding hunter
insurance. All Field & Game members are covered by a public liability
policy with QBE Mercantile Mutual. This policy is at least as good as any
other association can offer. Hydro Tasmania have scrutinised our policy
thoroughly and have approved it for members when hunting on Hydro land.
With approval, this policy also covers individual members when hunting on
new club shoots.
Farmers will no doubt be pleased with the news that Wood Ducks will be added
to the game list in 2004. A co-operative effort between Field & Game
management liaison committee recommending the inclusion of Wood Ducks to
the list. While farmers can get crop protection permits, it is generally
considered that hunters during the duck season will have a significant effect
on controlling this nuisance bird.
This year was Field & Game’s second at Agfest and the support we had
was excellent. A huge number of people visited our stand to talk about a
number of issues. Gerald Schnitzhofer supplied us with a number of freeze
dried animals in amusing poses - this created quite a deal of interest.
Field & Game will again conduct the waterfowl identification test this year. These will start late November, early December. Hunters will no doubt be keen to sit the test - now that wood ducks are on the list.
The Sporting Clay Nationals will be held at the Northern Midlands Branch Range at Longford in November this year. Around 200 of the best clay target shooters will be there to contest this prestigious event.
Peter Darke
President
UHF Radios
In a deal set-up between a local supplier and the Tasmanian Field &
Game, members can purchase a UHF radio at a good price. They are a handy
item for keeping in contact with other party members when hunting, fishing,
bushwalking, camping, etc…
Specifications.
Digitalk
40 Channel UHF portable radio
Part Number SP-3380D
Unit Price $60.00
Suitable for any short range communication
Features: Auto Squelch with Monitor Mode,
40 Channels on Australian UHF CB band, 500mW output, LCD Display with backlight,
Duplex capability (repeater ready), Open Scan, Vox built in (Voice activated,
with adjustable sensitivity), Battery level indicator, Keypad lock, External
mike/speaker sockets, CALL Tone function, Dual channel watch, 100 second
stop watch capability.
Size: 105H x 60W x 25D Uses 4 AAA batteries
Battery life 25 hrs (typical) receive only
‘AAA’ Rechargeable Batteries (4 pack)
Part Number SP-3380 Batt
Unit Price $11.01
Radios and Accessories are subject to availability. Prices may change, and
do not include postage and packaging.
To place an order, contact Kevin Preece, State Secretary, Tasmanian Field & Game on (03) 6344 7295
Accessories:
Earpiece & Microphone
Part Number SP-3380/EAR
Unit Price $10.45
A/C Charge
Part Number SP-3380CH
Unit Price $10.62
Shoot Calendar - Major Shoots around the State
Northern Midlands Sat 4th Oct 150T Sporting Clays State
Championship Sun 5th Oct
(100T Saturday final Qualifying shoot)
Derwent Valley Sun 19th Oct 90T English Sporting – State C/Ship
Northern Midlands Fri 14th Nov 80T English Sporting National
Championships
Sat 15th & Sun 16th Nov
150T Sporting Clays
National Championships
BAGDAD FIELD & GAME NEWS
Work is progressing well on updating the complex at Shene with the establishment
of a number of ranges, including Simulated Field and Pistol. At the time
of publication, the dozer should have completed clearing for these ranges,
and the access roads.
Commencing from August until further notice, all general meetings will be held at the Hobart Gun Club, Shene Rd, Mangalore. Weather permitting between October and March, it is planned to hold these meetings up on Shene. A notice advising this will be place at the Hobart Gun Club on the meeting night. The Bagdad Community Club is thanked for their assistance over the great many years for the use of their facilities for holding our meetings.
The Arthur Adam’s Memorial Shoot will be held on Saturday 4th October at the Hobart Gun Club. All Field & Game members are welcome to come along.
Wallaby shoots are going well, with on average one club shoot every month.
Robert Anders
Secretary
KENTISH FIELD & GAME NEWS
Kentish Field and Game is a small friendly simulated field clay target club
situated at Beulah just outside Sheffield. The range is about 45 minutes
drive from Devonport and is easy to access for anyone visiting from the
mainland.
Our next few shoots are as follows;
October 19th
90T English Sporting
November 23rd 75T Sporting Clays
December 14th
75T Club Champ. H/C
Some important information on our club.
1. We shoot on the third Sunday of each month with a 10.00 a.m. start.
2. Our cut off time for nominations is 10.30 a.m.
3. New shooters are encouraged to contact Peter Cables or Evie Perkins for
information and directions prior to their first shoot. New shooters can
also be met on the road by someone on the shoot day if required.
4. Cartridges are not available at our range. Cartridge sizes for use on
the range are 7,8,9 only.
5. Light snacks are available.
6. Shooters are encouraged to arrive early to help with the set up, and
are actively encouraged to participate in setting the targets to be thrown
on the day.
7. As the number of rounds we shoot will vary from month to month shooters
are provided with a calendar to let them know in advance how many are being
shot on the day.
Contact
P.O. Box 8 Sheffield
TAS 7306
Peter Cables
President 0419357775
Evie Perkins Secretary 03 64923379 or 0418540743
NORTHERN MIDLANDS NEWS
Well the Nationals are getting closer and work at our range is progressing
well. The new dunny block is nearing completion, the septic is holding us
up at present. Catering arrangements for the event are just about finalised,
the ranges have been pegged out and are looking good at this stage. We have
arranged with a company in Launceston to supply 3 scaffolding towers so
we can get some targets in the air as we are on flat ground, a quick twist
of the manager's arm and he donated one free of charge. The big cost is
assembling them as it has to be done by a licensed erector. Our new access
road is well under way, the only hold up may be the dam wall, but Keith
(property owner) is doing his best to have it ready.
We had a bit of a set back the other day in regard to traps, as mentioned in an earlier newsletter we were told that a certain company would supply the 5 LaPorte traps for the pool shoot, after a phone call to Qld I was told they don't have demo traps any more. If we don't end up with a pool shoot we are sorry but we should be able to have a couple of practice traps, things may change we hope.
At present we must thank all those who are supplying traps to us for the Nationals, Geelong Sporting Clays, ITP (Brian Heffer), SSAA Laang, Derwent Valley, Penguin, South East, West Tamar Hunting & Target Shooting Club (private club in Tassie), Peter Spinks and Ray Williams. Without the generosity of these people it wouldn't be possible for us to host the Nationals, once again many thanks.
Contrary to rumours that have been started by someone there will be ammunition for sale at the range for the Nationals, we have two dealers requiring sites, they are New Norfolk Ammunition, and Gun Sales & Service. There will be RIO – WINCHESTER – RC ammo for sale, as these companies are the major sponsors then ONLY their ammunition will be sold at the Nationals (see their details below). Ray Mack will be here as well as Rolf Bugden.
NMSC are hosting the State Championships over the weekend of the 4th & 5th October. Great prizes, great hospitality, great beer, so if you are at a loose end, drop in for the weekend and try and take a prize home. Noms are taken on the day. We will be shooting 100 targets on the Saturday and 50 on the Sunday.
For further information phone 03 6362 3868 or Email stumpytriffitt@iprimus.com.au
If you haven't done your bookings for the Nationals as yet
and you don't want the hassle of trying to get travel, accommodation and
car hire, then give GROUPS TASMANIA a call on 1800 462 827. They can do
it all for you, and that will help us as they are a sponsor.
Psst – do us a favour and get your Nationals noms in early so we can get
some idea of numbers, taa
"Stumpy"
PENGUIN CLAY TARGET CLUB INC.
Penguin Clay Target Club will be hosting a pre Nationals Practice Day on the 9th November 2003. This day will be beneficial for all the people who are coming a week earlier to Tasmania, to have a look around, as they can get off the Spirit at Devonport on Sunday morning and slip into Penguin for a warm up shoot for the Nationals for the following weekend.
There will be a variety of targets thrown, some very challenging, so you will have to come along and see it for yourself.
There will be prizes for AA, A, B and C. The prizes are hand-made mirrors made out of local exotic timber with a market value in excess of $100 each.
Shooting starts at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday the 9th November and we shoot in all weather conditions. Food and refreshments are available at the club.
Hope to see you there.
Range location
Hardy’s Road Penguin - 20 km west of Devonport.
Look for the signs on the highway, once you get to Penguin.
Email address Baldock@vision.net.au.
Club Secretary
Matthew Baldock
Phone or fax 03 64256629.
NEW SOUTH WALES
As the shooting year in NSW draws to a close, we can look
back on a number of successful events, which have been held in all parts
of the state. The recent state elimination shoot held at Milparinka attracted
103 shooters in spite of the roads being closed, up until the day before
the event. It is also very pleasing to hear from clubs such as Dubbo and
Bermagui who have reported an increase in membership, hopefully this trend
will take place state wide as I am at this moment working on an affiliation
agreement with a FOHC hunting club, who have expressed interest in our style
of shooting. Since the introduction of two telephone conference meetings
as part of our quarterly state meeting programme, distant clubs who were
unable to attend in the past, are now able to have the same input as those
in the more central positions of the state, this in turn seems to have created
more interest and co operation through out the state. The next state shoot
is in Mudgee; followed by the State AGM 18th October at Dubbo, see you there.
Jim Pirie NSW Pres.
MILPARINKA FIELD & GAME NEWS
Milparinka hosted its first State Selection Shoot in conjunction with their August 2 day shoot on the 16th & 17th of this month.
The rain during the week had a few wondering about road
conditions, but by Friday all the road open signs were up.
By Friday evening the club was abuzz with people from far and wide.
By Saturday morning the campers were everywhere.
There were 103 shooters plus family and friends. The range
was not an easy one with any ‘give away’ targets but it was a fair one.
As we all know the job of range setting is not the easiest task.
The grades were AA through to Sub Juniors and Clays only.
The meals were all catered for by the Y’s Men’s Club of Broken Hill and those who ate at the club ‘room’ enjoyed their culinary delights.
Thank you to Jim Pirie for all of his assistance with the scoring and the drawing of the disposal and the auctioning.
Last but not least thanks must go to the NSW Firearms Safety Awareness Council for their encouragement for holding a Selection Shoot in the western (geographically isolated) area.
The winners over the 2 day event were:
High gun:
Rob Shawyer 124
AA GRADE:
1st: Lee Cunningham 123
2nd: Steve Payne 122
3rd: Tony Forrest 120
A GRADE:
1st: Ross Christian 123
2nd: Sid Guglielmno 121
3rd: Eric Jones 115
B GRADE:
1st: Phillip Headley 115
2nd: Lionel Grealey 108
3rd: Bob Callanan 100
C GRADE:
1st: Jeremy Pigdon 95
2nd: Barry Hill 87
3rd: Dennis Chapman 82
VETERANS:
1st: John Nichols 119
2nd: Kerrod Kay 108
3rd: Ken Moore 104
LADIES:
1st: Jenny Nichols 110
2nd: Jo Nichols 94
3rd: Jenny Stevenson 66
SUB JUNIORS:
1st: Toby Callanan 106
2nd: Hugh Adams 95
3rd: Adam Small 17
JUNIORS:
1st: Daniel Baskerville 113
2nd: David McMillan 98
3rd: Brad Wooton 95
CLAYS ONLY:
1st: Mitchell Stibbard 80
2nd: Megan Whitehead 25
ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD:
D. Grealey
We hope you all enjoyed your time with us and that you will all return and
bring your friends.
Thank You
Deb Hotchin
Milparinka Field & Game Assoc
NSW State team selection report.
Steve Payne 29
Lee Cunningham 25.5
Ross Christian 21
Darren all 21
Peter Kay 20.5
David Jackson 18
Brett Hall 14
Ladies
Jenny Nichols 9
Jo Nichols 7
Veterans
John Nichols 9
Ken Moore 6
Dennis Coaker 2
Junior
Daniel Baskerville 9
Sub juniors none qualified.
Ken Moore
State Team Manager
SHOOT NEWS
There is only one major shoot in the NSW calendar left for 2003, the State Championship to be held at the Buckaroo range Mudgee on the 13/14 September. This will be the show down for NSW team selection as well as a good weekend for all in attendance. Good luck all.
SYDNEY branch will be holding its annual Mick Smith Shoot on Saturday the
1st November. This is always a popular event with visitors welcome.
All state selection and championship (12g ,20g ,SxS) dates and venues for 2004 will be finalized at the 2003 AGM. Applications for these events must be in writing
Tasmania beware there are quite a few New South Welshmen
already packed
Paul Smidt
NSW Target Director
VICTORIA
Our final State Selection event was held at Little River on Sunday 23rd August.
I don’t believe I have ever seen a worse day for Sporting Clay shooting. The freezing weather with a little rain was nothing compared to the gale force winds.
Peter Hall and his assistants had set up a challenging course in calm weather on the Saturday.
Come Sunday and up came the wind. John Younger made the
most of a early start and slightly lower winds that went with it to post
a imposing 50/50 straight.
John was using his new Beretta DT10 and wow I have seen some shooting in
my day but this took the cake.
The wind was that bad that the travel tower on the hill was swaying a metre
either way.
With only our State Championships to go it looks like a
six way fight to the finish as far as the Open section of the State Team
goes.
Junior Chris Brown leads the field with a possible 80/80 points followed
by John Younger 79/80, Colin Johns 76/80, Peter Hall, Socrates Pilipasidis
and Craig MacPherson 74/80.
Our State Championships for 2003 are to be held at the Laang Range of the Warrnambool SSAA Club on 6th and 7th September.
This promises to be a great event at a new venue for us.
Laang is situated about 20klm on the Geelong side of Warrnambool and comprises
two very different aspects for Sporting Clays.
The first section of the course runs through a timbered bush setting with the second part of the course over open rolling land.
The two main men at Laang are Steve (Chooka ) Chiltern and Brian (Brutus) Corchane. Chooks wife Anita who runs the office ably backs them up.
They have a number of towers situated around the ground to throw high targets and they are not frightened to throw in one or two eye watering long crossers
The Club Rooms and facilities are great and they are almost to the stage that all events can be conducted using all automatic traps.
Little River Sporting Clays is located at the Melbourne edge of the You Yangs. This is the small, could we say mountain range, on the west side of the highway between Geelong and Melbourne.
The club attracts approximately 100 shooters to its monthly
events and is progressing very well.
The range is situated at Eagle Park which is the SSAA (VIC) major facility
catering for Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun Sports.
Club president John Disher, Secretary Arthur Rawlinson, Treasurer Nancy Disher and Range Controller Peter Hall are in charge of what could potentially become the “Major Sporting Clay facility in Australia”
All events at Little River are held using only automatic
trap machines.
New portable clubrooms and toilet facilities are being located on site this
week to provide comfort for shooters and their families.
Daylesford Field and Game are also procuring new auto traps and it will not be long before they to are conducting all their events with automatic machines only.
Geelong Sporting Clays have also had a very good year under
the control of President Colin MacPherson.
We are continually improving the range and facilities for the shooters.
We have just increased our number of automatic traps to a total of 29 and
needless to say we only use auto machines.
In this day and age of litigation it is important that all clubs follow
this theme and aspire to conduct all events with auto traps.
Improvements have been made to the clubhouse with the verandah closed in
and an extra wood heater courtesy Bob Vittori installed.
You might well laugh and say in Victoria, you could not get enough wood
heaters to keep out the winter cold, but we also have air-conditioning as
well.
VSCA will be transporting 18 Auto Traps to Tasmania for
the Nationals
Thanks must go to the Geelong and Laang Clubs for their generous support.
Ray McFarlane
President VSCA
QUEENSLAND
Well, we are in the full-on competition time of the year with State Titles and Nationals just around the corner. It was good to see good numbers at the Brisbane Selection in August and judging on the scores there are a number of shooters battling it out for team selection. I’m sure Glen will give a report on the shoot later in this newsletter. I wish all competitors the best of luck at the State Titles in September and for those who will be travelling to Tasmania for the Nationals the best of luck also. Please spread the word to all the competitors at the Nationals that Queensland is the place to be for next year Nationals.
I must again congratulate Damien Birgan and Maree Birgan
on there placing at the FITASC Championships. I have seen the results on
the Field and Game Federation of Australia website and was over the moon
to see the Australians/Queenslanders doing so well. Well done to you and
your fellow team-mates.
One of Australia’s icons was re-born at the World’s with the Ned Kelly Gang/Team
winning one of the team events. The Gang: Mike Birgan, Damien Birgan, Socrates
Pilipasidis great effect to you all. If any members have access to the internet
check out the photos at www.sportingclays.org.au
With the new Gun Laws introduced on the 1st July there will be some changes to the way we run our ranges. New range register books have been issued to each club. These books must be kept by the club for 3 years. Each register book must be dated (as per front cover) and each page must be numbered.
All shooter must fill out the following: date, name, club, license number & firearm category and signature. The range officer must sight the shooter’s license and add his name, license number and signature in the space beside the shooters information. The range officer can sign off a bulk number of shooters.
Also introduced for the first time is the “Declaration by unauthorized person for use of a weapon at an approved range” form or Form 33. Any unlicensed shooter that wishes to shoot on the range must fill out this form. The form is only valid for the day dated on the form, however the form must by keep by the club for 3 years, just more paperwork. It is the responsibility of all members/shooters to make sure that all this paper work is filled out correctly as the Police has assured me that checks will be made.
See you around the traps.
Mark Farrow
Happy 20th Birthday - Brisbane Sporting Clays Association Inc.
A brief history by Mark Farrow
The Brisbane Field and Game Club first started in the early 1970’s. The club folded after members could not agree on the range layout or design. However through the efforts of Arthur Page, the land at Belmont (that the present club has leased) was obtained from the Army and ear-marked as a Field and Game range.
In January 1983 a meeting was held at the Australian Club, (opp. Boggo Road Jail) of interested people who wished to form a new Brisbane Field and Game Club. Arthur Freeman, an ex-Victorian and a representative of the Field and Game Federation of Australia chaired the meeting. This meeting agreed to form the “Brisbane Field and Game Club” and Arthur Freeman was elected as its new president.
The first task of the committee was to find a range to develop.
The Army was approached to see if land was available on the Belmont site.
After first meetings with the Army it was clear that the land ear-marked
for Field and Game was not available as the Army were in the motions of
passing control of Ranges to State Governments and did not wish to add new
club in new areas. However after more meetings it was agreed that if the
Brisbane Field and Game Club had to move from the earmarked land at Belmont
than all the other shooting club would also have to move from the site as
the range safety aprons border on the Brisbane Field and Game area.
So the club moved in.
The first 6 months were spent clearing the areas so that an 8 stand Simulated Field range could be laid out. Half 44 gallon drums were filled with cement and placed in the ground with two bolts placed in the centre for the traps to be bolted on to and a protection blind built around the trap to protect the person trapping. A number of hand traps were purchase from a manufacturer at Noosa and these were stored at a member’s house on Old Cleveland Road. When the club first started shooting it was agreed that we would open the range for simulated field every Saturday (to this day Brisbane range is the only Field and Game club in Aust that opens every Saturday) this meant that all the traps and equipment and targets had to be picked up and in place at the range before 12 noon every Saturday until a storage shed was built at the range.
First buildings to be constructed were a storage shed, thunder box toilet and a roofed area (three posts, a tree and a roof).
In 1987 vandals set fire to the storage shed and the club lost all of their traps, targets and equipment. But the members all pulled together and raised, via a wake held at Brisbane SSAA, enough money the buy a shipping container that became our new storage shed. Noel Bullimore constructed, in kit form, trap houses that were used to house the hand traps. This made setting up easier as only targets had to be placed in with the traps.
The club has had a members selected in the state team since 1984 some of these members are: Noel Bullimore, Dennis Bullimore, Mark Farrow, Greg Woodbine, Guy Beddington, Darryl Groundwater, Rodney Ward, Scott O’Brien, Cynthia Wells, Keith Rhoades, Craig Hume, Mike Birgan, Kerrod Kay, Ian Grant, Damien Birgan, Maree Birgan, Glen Rider, Renae Birgan and more. Cynthia Wells first won the Ladies Championship at Mt Gambier SA in 1988. In 1990 at Penguin in Tasmania, the Qld Team won the team event, the team members: Dennis Bullimore, Guy Beddington, Greg Woodbine and Darryl Groundwater. In recent times Damien Birgan National Champion and Maree Birgan Ladies Champion.
The brick clubhouse was constructed in 1989 under the supervision of Keith Rhoades.
In 1990 two events pushed the club forward the first being awarded the 1993 Nationals and the second the Club becoming an incorporated body.
Cynthia Wells achieved Australia’s highest placing at a World Titles with 3rd place in Portugal in the early 1990’s.
The 55 foot steel tower and the smaller 20-foot were set in place in 1992 for the nationals the following year. The towers would not have been reality if it weren’t for the work of Greg Mitchell and Keith Rhoades.
After the 1993 Nationals the club was able to purchase 5 ITP Automatic traps. Two of these traps were placed in the towers; one is still operational in the small tower.
With the success of the Nationals in 1993 we were able to host the Sporting Clays event for the 1994 World Masters Games. The international visitors were very impressed with the facilities and targets presented to them.
The facilities at the club continue to improve as the onsite caretaker installed a large generator and adding a key start and wiring to the clubhouse to run light and utilities made a big difference. Unfortunately the caretaker passed away and his family removed all of the equipment, which was a huge lost to the club. To attract a new caretaker a gas hot water system was installed with a unisex shower placed in the ladies toilet. A new caretaker was found and stayed for three years. At present the club does not have a caretaker. To date the generator/power has not been replaced.
1997 saw the name change to Brisbane Sporting Clays Association
Inc.
Through the keen eyes of Greg Mitchell who spotted an unused 66-foot tower
at his place of work and with the generosity of CS Energy the third tower
was constructed in 2000. The club then purchased 7 new Laporte traps.
In 2001 the club hosted the Oceania Championships with competitors from New Zealand, New Caledonia, Tahiti and each state of Australia. Eight difference layouts were created with the major support of the French based company Laporte. Laporte shipped from France 45 traps to be used at the championships.
The club received a number accolades that the shoot was the best ever stage in the Oceania region and would be impossible to beat. Through the work of members at this shoot another 2 Laporte traps were purchase.
We are at present gearing up to hold the 2004 Nationals so there’s a lot of work ahead. 4 more Laporte traps have been purchased and we are preparing areas of our range that have never been used before.
Life Members:
Mark Farrow 1989
Noel Bullimore 1989
Keith Rhoades 1993
Denis Bullimore 1995
Greg Mitchell 1998
Presidents:
Arthur Freeman 7 mths 1983
Mark Farrow 1983 – 1992
Keith Rhoades 1992 – 1994
Gundy Manning 1994 – 1995
Denis Bullimore 1995 – 1996
Mark Farrow 1996 – present
We are celebrating our 20th anniversary on the 12th of October. Please join us on this special occasion.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The State Championships were held at the Wanneroo Range on the 31st August. The day was perfect, and the team at Wanneroo have put in a major effort and produced a course that was as good as any ground that I have shot. The variety of targets was good and the scores were a very good indication that the makeup of the targets was spot on with the handicap criteria.
Sponsorship for the shoot was provided by Roy Alexander and Sons, The Shooters Shop, Fremantle Firearms and Winchester Australia, I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support over the past years and hopefully into the future.
Results
2003 State Champion Damon Brown
2003 Open State Champion Tony Trainor
AA Grade Champion Jon Dyas
A Grade Champion Mick Thomas
B Grade Champion Gary Turley
C Grade Champion Luke Stipinovich
Lady Champion Helen Godfrey
Junior Champion Rhys Howard
Sub Junior Champion Braiden Purdy
Veteran Champion Roy Mayo
Signal Tyres Top Ten
Damon Brown
Jon Dyas
Tony Butler
Mick Thomas
Dave Williams
Vern Godfrey
Tony Trainor
Roy Mayo
Gary Turley
Norm Hancock
Western Australia will have about a dozen people travelling to Tasmania this year for the Nationals and we are all really looking forward to it. See you there.
Harry B
Target Shooting Director
WA Field & Game
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
NOT SUPPLIED
Please forward all submissions to:
FGFA PO Box, 7034, Mt Grosby, Q, 4306
Compilers note.
There is no intention by the Federation to produce this newssheet as a Target News sheet only.
All States are contacted and asked, should I say begged, for submissions.
If your main interest in this Organisation is, Field Activities,
why not tell us about it?
Put pen to paper and tell all of the Federation members what you do on the weekends. It just may instil some enthusiasm in others members to become active in your interest’s.
But most of all do not complain about content if you have not submitted an article.
