Fred Asbury
21 February 1922 – 22 January 2008.
Life Member of the Northcote Rifle Club
Fred was a life long member of the rifle club, joining before World War 2 at a time when the club shot full-bore at Williamstown on a Saturday and small-bore as practice in the club room on a week night. Fred served in the navy during the war. He returned to the club and was active up until a few years ago. Fred worked as a carpenter and was married with children.
Fred was ready to help anyone and everyone in shooting and in working around the club. The list below is only a small number of things Fred has done for the club.
Captain of the Club 1950 – 1952
President of the Club 1986 – 1992
Club Champion 1947-8 1955-6
Member of the Winning Team of the Nason Cup 1950-1
Member of the Winning Pennant Team of “D” Grade No 19 MDRCU 1951-2
Outstanding Clubman
Farwell old friend.
David Stephens
on behalf of the
Northcote Rifle Club
Ivan Charles Stanley Blamire
15th September, 1943 ‑ 6th February 2007.
Ivan commenced Fullbore shooting at the Anzac Rifle Range Holsworthy in 1958 , while still going to school. He joined Regents Park RAAF Club, and helped build the last clubhouse at Holsworthy around 1960. For the first year or so, Ivan travelled by train from Turrella to Padstow where he was picked up by car for the final leg to the range. For much of that time Ivan used to carry the SMLE .303 uncovered and with the bolt in on the train. As Ivan once said, "didn't seem to concern fellow train passengers or general public. Eventually Mum made me a white canvas bag for it!'
Second hand smellies were around 25 shilling ($2.50) and new, packed in grease and paper, about 3 quid ($6.00); way too expensive at the time, according to Ivan.
After the RAAF Club folded Ivan joined the Rockdale Rifle Club and shot with them up to 1973.
Ivan went to Tech and studied as a technician in Radio & TV, completed an Electronics & Communication Diploma, and finally Industrial Electronics Certificate. Around 1964 he met Ingrid, who was from Austria visiting her sister here in Australia. For Ingrid it was supposed to be a 12‑month. working visit.; Ivan and Ingrid married in 1966 and moved into a fibro cottage at Kirrawee. Ivan and Ingrid have two children, Nathan and Serena and four granddaughters Deanne, Lenita, Nell and Kate.
Around 1973, with the pressure of a young family, an old house to do up, not much money etc., plus just about all Saturday lost to Fullbore shooting Ivan gave it up and commenced Smallbore with Sutherland Rifle Club, which shot on Tuesday nights. Ivan had many jobs on committee, including 7 years as secretary and several years as club statistician. He was also behind organising their first Open Prize Shoot.
Ivan was retrenched in 1982, after 24 years, along with 600 others from Kriesler Radio and TV. Ivan and a mate, who had also been retrenched, decided to start their own business. The business was successful; designing and manufacturing electronics and eventually employed 15 people. Ivan sold out in 1994 and started organizing and building a house at Culburra Beach, where he and Ingrid moved to in 1996.
Almost immediately he joined Nowra Rifle Club where he recommenced Smallbore shooting. He helped formalize this style of shooting in the club. Ivan was Club Captain, secretary and statistician of the Smallbore Code of Nowra Rifle Club for many years. He oversaw the construction of the Smallbore and Pistol Ranges, 99‑2000.
Ivan also participated in Air Rifle, Centrefire, Fullbore, Smallbore Silhouette, F Class, and Service Rifle. He was heavily involved in the Works Committee and spent a fair bit of time working on the range.
On the 16th November 2005 Ivan was made a Life member of Nowra Rifle Club Inc.