Message from the Chairman

Transcription

1 Victorian Rifle Association Message from the Chairman Winter has now set in with the temperatures dropping significantly. A quiet period ahead with no prize meetings scheduled until August 2018 at Karramomus Range. The VRA office and shop staff have been busy with memberships and stocktakes and keeping us all up to date with many Facebook posts. Thank you to Albert Van Wyk for stepping into the role of acting Treasurer whilst also juggling the role of Deputy Chairman. The VRA council still has two vacancies, one of which is treasurer that I encourage all members to consider nominating for. Membership fees for 2018/19 are now due and this year we included the cost of firearms insurance to the value of $12,000. We have received some positive and negative feedback regarding the insurance, however it will remain in place for this financial year with a view to discussing it further at the AGM. The DRA teams weekend and AGM are scheduled for 20/21 st October There are three councillor positions becoming vacant this year, if you would like to nominate please contact the Executive Officer.

2 Major Grants Update Progress of the range upgrade project has certainly not been as fast as our original expectation. Much behind-the-scenes work has been going on and the major issues delaying the approval of a Planning Permit have been the clearing of trees (now approved by DELWP) and CFA approval due to new regulations that came into effect earlier this year (expected later this month). As part of the new bushfire regulations it is likely that we will need to evacuate the site on all Extreme and Code Red days, not likely to be an issue during the Queens and Teams weekend. The Bendigo Rifle Club clubhouse grant project has also been accommodated. We now expect works to start on site late in August with the bulk of the work to be completed in October given favourable weather. Issues identified with our power supply will also be rectified during the works. National Veterans Teams Matches 2018 These were held at Lower Light on 7 th and 8 th May following the SA Queens. Lower Light lived up to its reputation of wind, rain and flies, but despite this the welcome was warm and friendly. Bad weather caused a few delays; however, all matches were completed. Thank you to all Team members. Morale was excellent, everyone contributed well and pitched in to help. Thank you to VVTC for their generous sponsorship. In Target Rifle, Victoria Blue won the Kosi Ford Trophy total over 2 days. The combined 10-man Team also finished 2 nd. The 2 F Class Standard Pairs both finished just out of the places. All results are posted on the NRAA website. Morrie Jackman Captain Minutes of the VRA Council Meeting held on 27 th May 2018 are now available on the website Upcoming Meetings 29 th July th September th November 2018 VRA QUEENS 2019 Syme April Queens April

3 MR STEWART COOK Retirement from shooting and the VRA Soon to retire from shooting is Mr Stewart Cook who was born on 12 April 1930 and joined the Birchip Rifle Club in the early 1950 s. On Sunday the 24 th June 2018 a presentation was made to Stewart at the Birchip Rifle Range with a certificate which read: This Certificate is awarded to Stewart Cook for his outstanding commitment and service to the Birchip Rifle Club over the last 67 years. Stewart has always been a great friend, mentor and inspiration to members and a loyal and reliable Clubman. Stewart has served as a Club secretary for many years and is a past Club Champion. Steward also received a letter of recognition and a gift from the VRA. In response Stewart thanked all club members and the VRA for their wishes. When Stewart started shooting it was with 303 s and then with a 7.62 and he has competed at prize meetings all over North Western Victoria. Stewart has always been a keen and competitive shooter and a great sportsman. Stewart was Club champion on more than one occasion and is the only shooter to have shot two double possibles on Birchip range with a target rifle. Stewart shot target rifle until about 8 or 9 years ago when he switched to F class. Stewart shot in the Birchip Pennant team in the Southern Mallee pennant for many years. When this competition folded in the early 70 s the Birchip club joined the Challenge Shield competition and Stewart was a regular member of that team until this year. Eyesight issues are forcing his retirement from shooting as of now but the Birchip boys hope to see him on the range for afternoon tea and a chat whenever he can make it. Article and photos provided by David Lee From Left: Ken Cook, Sue Allan, Stewart Cook and Alan Cook. Stewart with his Certificate of commitment and letter of recognition.

4 Stawell Open Prize Meeting The 65 th Stawell Prize Meeting was held on Saturday, 12 th and Sunday (Mother s Day) 13 th May following the previous three days of cold, wet, total inclement weather with the forecast for the weekend of not much better. However, Stawell s location north of the divide provided 2 days of good shooting weather, be it cold, overcast and a bit windy. The program was shot without delays and the newly refurbished club house provided a warm and hospitable venue for the enjoyable, friendly rivalry and comradery of the contestants which is a feature of our wonderful sport. Alan Wright, Mahlon Reid, Bob Kinnear, Paul Murphy, Blade Lacey, Mark Horsnell Come and Try May Day The Colac Rifle Club was very successful with their Come and Try May day. They even made it into the Colac Herald. The Colac Otway Shire Council Mayor Mr. Joe McCracken was one of the attendees. A quote from the article below: Club secretary Max Clark said the club attracted 46 people across the three events, and three quarters of them had never shot before. This is the first time we ve had come and try days and we exceeded our expectations very much. We had a lot of ladies register for the come and try day along with their daughters. The VRA would like to congratulate Colac Rifle Club on a very successful event. Pictured below is Joe McCracken and Max Clark

5 State Teams Ladies Matches 2018 The Victorian State Ladies team has taken out the final Medland Match in Brisbane. In the 50 th Year (40 matches) of Ladies State Team matches, the team of Carolynn Nitschke (Captain) (Warracknabeal RC), Heather Thomson (Coach) (Karramomus RC), Michelle Fletcher (Wodonga RC), Carol Hulett (Geelong RC), Gayle Sewell (Wodonga RC) and co-opted member Donna Negus (ACT), put together a solid performance to take out the match by 15 points. At the previous evenings meeting of the Australian Riflewomen, it was voted by all States present to retire the Medland trophy due to a change in format for future matches. The Presidents Trophy (15 shots at 1000 yards) will remain, as will the Griffiths trophy for the Grand Aggregate. The team gathered in Brisbane on Sunday, having had limited practise opportunities due to a late change of venue for this year s matches. Mondays practise went well, in cool weather with a solid but tricky breeze. The Presidents Match commenced mid-afternoon in slightly stronger, but no less tricky wind, with all coaches struggling to get an idea of what was going on. NSW showed the way, taking the match by 7 points from Victoria, with Queensland 3 rd. As in previous years, we thought NSW & Qld would be hard to beat the following day, but we were heartened by our solid performance in the Presidents Match. Tuesday dawned much similar to the previous day, with a bit less wind for coaches to deal with. (And eventually a bit warmer) A couple of early hiccups at 300 yards saw us trail Queensland by 4 points, but a stronger showing at 600 yards had us at lunch, in front, by a solitary centre from Qld with NSW 8 points further back. After lunch, a bit more wind at 900 yards saw NSW take that range by 5 points, leaving us in front still by 3 points, with 1000 yards to come. A combined coaching effort at 1000 yards, and a willingness to wait longer for the wind to be back to where we were happy to fire, saw Victoria take that range by a staggering 12 points, and the Medland Match by 15 points. We also won the Grand Aggregate, Griffiths Trophy, and Donna Negus & Heather Thomson were Top Shooter/Coach for the Medland Match. Also shooting alongside the 3 teams, was a team from North Queensland, comprised of both Target Rifle and F Class shooters, as a demonstration for future State Ladies Matches. Everyone was pleased that North Queensland could attend, and also pleased that the Ladies Matches will continue. Article and photos provided by Heather Thomson Hard at work at the 1000 yards Back row from left: Donna Negus (ACT), Gayle Sewell, Heather Thomson, Carol Hulett Front from left: Carolynn Nitschke and Michelle Fletcher

6 Upcoming Prize Meetings July 2018 No PM s scheduled August GVA DRA PM 05 Karramomus Picnic Shoot Councillor Profile Trevor Rhodes Trevor has been on the VRA Council periodically for the past five years and lives in Woodbrook which is a rural area approximately 40 minutes drive to Wellsford Range. Trevor has been in business most of his working life as a monument mason. He is a member of the Maryborough Rifle Club and travels all over Australia to compete in events including Queens. He has the title of attending the most Victorian prize meeting each year so I m sure you would all know Trevor s smiling face. Trevor has been shooting fullbore for twenty years with the last three years competing in F Class. He has recently shot in two state teams and three state veteran teams. Trevor is always ready to lend a hand at events and manages/co-ordinates the bar and famous spit roasts at VRA functions. His partner Lee is the talented caterer at all events held at Wellsford Range. Trevor s vision for the VRA is for it to prosper and grow with Wellsford Range developed into a venue for world class shooting. He believes we must try to increase membership and promote the sport of rifle shooting for it to be sustainable. Trevor is a valuable member of council and is always willing to support and share knowledge with the Executive Officer and presents constructive viewpoints and ideas during council meetings. Vacancy for Council There are currently two vacancies on the VRA Council, one for a general councillor and the treasurer position. Being on the VRA Council is a great opportunity to influence and guide the strategic direction of the organisation so express your interest now and represent your local club.

7 HISTORY PAGE An Article from the Prahan Telegraph Saturday 4 th January 1913 In Memoriam Captain Arthur Tilley When the Rifle Volunteer movement was set on foot in the early sixties Arthur Tilley joined the Southern Rifles and rose rapidly to the rank of Captain, having a special aptitude of successfully handling men. It was a time when much enthusiasm was shown in military matters and he shared in the general ardour and maintained his connection with the movement until the volunteers were merged in a wider organization. A splendid shot himself, he was one of the founders of the Prahran rifle club and when the Metropolitan Rifle Clubs Association was formed in 1900 he was one of the representatives and at the First Annual meeting on 26 th September 1901, was elected on the executive committee. The following year (28 th August 1901) he was elected chairman and on the 31 st August 1903 vice president. About Captain Tilley was written In Captain Tilley we have lost a sterling friend to rifle shooting; one who endeared himself to all with whom he worked on the council of the association (practically from its inception) by his never failing courtesy and whole-hearted support of a movement he believed in.

8 MEMBERS MARKETPLACE This is a new page for the newsletter. It enables all VRA members to advertise shooting equipment that is for sale. There is no cost to advertise. Please send your items with a photo, brief description and contact details to vra@vra.asn.au Redding T7 press, as new $500 Lyman Turbo Tumbler & Lyman case media. VGC, media unopened $120 Lyman case trimmer, exec condition, $150 Chrony master Beta Version, new unused $150 All the above items are located in Warracknabeal VIC. Please contact Richard on # or rmcginniss@bigpond.com Consignment of items will no longer be available within the VRA shop, however please submit all items for sale to vra@vra.asn.au

9 VRA Shop Specials Just Ask Geoff Geoff wells is a gun stock maker by trade and manages the VRA shop. Come into the VRA Shop to chat to Geoff or call him on # or shop@vra.asn.au New to the shop Bushing Boxes - $6 Back in stock Proshot Copper Solvent IV $19 Proshot 1 Step Solvent $17 Come into the VRA shop located at 1 Rifle Range Road, Junortoun. Open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9am 4.30

10 To submit articles or provide feedback on the newsletter, please Nikki at or phone The next edition of the newsletter will be published in the first week of July 2018 The VRA has just released a Communications Strategy with the aim of increasing the profile and membership base of the full-bore target rifle community over the next five years. Please vra@vra.com.au if you would like to receive a copy. When sending s to the VRA, please use vra@vra.asn.au Membership Update membership cards are currently being distributed to all club secretary/treasurers. JOKE OF THE MONTH For the most up to date information and news, find and follow us on Facebook. Victorian Rifle Association