Victoria
RECORD ENTRIES IN MILDURA SMALLBORE CHAMPIONSHIPS
A record number of shooters entered the Mildura Smallbore Rifle Club's North West Victorian Championships over the June long weekend at the Cardross range. Fifty eight competitors entered in ten disciplines including two for the disabled. The largest number of entries was in the two Benchrest Target Rifle events with forty two in each. Twenty six people shot in the prone competitions, seven in Air Rifle and four in the two disabled disciplines. Three position and All Sights were also shot.
Shooters in the 50 metre prone event at the North West Victorian Smallbore Rifle Championships prepare for a start
Veteran Mildura Smallbore member Bill Russell spent the weekend scoring competition targets
This year's competition was the first time entries have been called for before the weekend of the event, enabling the whole weekend to be pre‑squadded. Competition Secretary Alan Collins was extremely pleased with the response of shooters with 44 entries being received a week prior to the event. Collins said he was impressed with the way similar competitions are run in South Australia and Broken Hill and suggested that the local club follow their lead.
Chris Lott of Kyabram received the sash for the Prone Champion of the weekend and East Mardenis Ron Maine was awarded the Benchrest Champion sash. Local shooters, Alan Collins and Cathy Burnett made the Benchrest top ten in positions seven and eight respectively and received badges. The top ten is decided regardless of grade and includes all shooters in that discipline. Veterans champions were Ron Maine in Benchrest and lan Puckey in Prone.
Beth Garland, one of Broken Hill's top Smallbore shooters, watches for wind changes during one of the benchrest competitions
Mildura's newest Smallbore shooter, Peter Carroll tasted success in his first competition
The club would like to thank all who made the weekend such a success including visitors such as Reg McCready and Cheryl Knight who assisted with Range Officer and Recording duties respectively for both days. Scorers, Bill Russell, Dick McPhail and Ken Baric worked tirelessly as did computer operator, Cathy Burnett. Gwen Thomas and her loyal group of ladies ensured there was plenty of food for the large crowd. Howard Reed, Herb Thomas, Peter Carroll and the three scorers spent many hours leading up to the event on range improvements such as extra roofing and new target frames.
Full results