The weekend of 12-13 October saw SSAA NSW Batemans Bay Branch host the South Coast 200m and 500m Fly Championships. To set the scene we had almost 300mm of rain and gale force winds on teh Wednesday and Thursday before the event and snow blocked roads around Goulburn and the Blue Mountains. Some competitiors were stuck in snow and didn't arrive until after midnight on Friday and unfortunately some others couldn't make it at all. But those who were able to make the trip were greeted with a weekend of great competition.
The difficult weather conditions kept competitors on their game.
There were 32 total entries for the 500m event on Saturday (13 heavy guns and 19 light guns) and 18 entries for the 200m rimfire on Sunday.
Centrefire highlights include a new range record best target shot by Michael Bell in light gun with a -58.04. Michael also achieved 7 flies in the match which is another record.
Rimfire highlights included Les Fraser shooting a new Australian record small group which has been confirmed at 1.045" and Barry Tucker winning in difficult conditions with the lowest winning score we have seen in the last couple of years at 193 with one fly. Second place was a tie between Anthony Hall and Glen Seaman with the position going to Glen on a count back.
Outright placings for the 500m centrefire:
1st Michael Bell 271.07
2nd Anthony Hall 242.04
3rd Dave Groves 226.01
Heavy Gun
1st Dave Groves 226.01
2nd Glen Seaman 224.02
3rd Les Fraser 218.06
Small Group - Glen Seaman 2.157
Best target - Glen Seaman 57.02
Light Gun
1st Michael Bell 271.07
2nd Anthony Hall 242.04
3rd Mick Easton 213.02
Small Group - Michael Bell 1.219
Best Target - Michael Bell 58.04
Overall Two Gun
1st Anthony Hall 428.06
2nd Glen Seaman 410.04
3rd Les Fraser 401.06
Junior - Tori Colls 304.01
Rimfire
1st Barry Tucker 193.01
2nd Glen Seaman 186.02
3rd Anthony Hall 186.02
Small Group - Les Fraser 1.045"
Best Target - Glen Seaman 49.01
Junior - Emily Seaman 184.01
Tori Colls was the best placed Junior with a total of 136.
The organisers would like to thank Pete van Meurs for taking the role of scorer for the weekend. The Batemans Bay club did a great job of hosting, with first class canteen facilities and volunteers.
A fine spring Saturday morning saw 21 shooters on the line. We ranged in age from 12 to 70 plus. That is one of the big attractions of Colonial Action. We have room for people from all age groups, all walks of life, even those who think they couldn't compete because of physical disability, we have room for everyone. Eight scenarios, and many side events later (including a huge cook up Saturday night which consisted of smoked ribs, chicken and lamb, pork belly and fried rice. Midday Sunday after 2 days of competition ended in a group of friends eating sausage sandwiches as the certificates were awarded.
Top Gun - Barry Tomlinson
Colonial Action - Brian Pierce
Double Action - Phil Martyn
Ladies - Michelle Rose
Single Action - Barry Tomlinson
Single Action Target - Tom Coulter
Single Action Black Powder - Ralph Imber
Speed Shotgun - Barry Tomlinson
Speed Pistol - Barry Tomlinson
Speed Rifle - Phil Martyn
Long Range Events
Lever Action Rifle Calibre - Michele Rose
Lever Action Pistol Calibre - Michele Rose
Cadet Martini - Greg Osborne
With light snow falling and chilly winds blowing across the range as the final adjustments were made to the three 5-Stand layouts the day before the 
State Titles began at the Majura Park Gun Club ACT, competitors were glad they brought their cold weather gear with them. As competition commenced the next morning in slightly improved conditions in what locals affectionally refer to as "a typical August Canberra day", everyone was expecting some
challenging targets in the gusty conditions and they weren't disappointed.
Three excellent layouts had been established with a wide variety of targets and some simultaneous pairs that needed some quick second barrels. Two layouts were set by Matt Webster and Andy Vaccaro and other local members, while Greg Allen, Frank Tagliapietra and Darren Macartney set
the third one using the SSAA Shotgun Trailer. Shooters attended from Bathurst, Sydney, Wollongong, Hay,Deniliquin, West Wyalong, Griffith, Yass and the Canberra area as well as from Victoria.
The shoot ran smoothly throughout the weekend with Sally and Rachael keeping the administration going well in the Office while Janelle provided some very tasty, warm and welcome catering to everyone.
Ar the end of shooting on Saturday the Shotgun AGM was well attended with plenty of enthusiastic ideas to promote SSAA Shotgun in 2013. Warren Brown was re-elected Chairman with Jan Jacka Assistant Chair. The meeting agreed to hold State Selection Shoots at Canberra, Hay, Forbes, Griffith and Newcastle with Hay and Griffith offering to hold either the State Titles for 5-Stand or Sporting Clays. Dates are to be negotiated with host clubs.
The shoot was generously sponsored by SSAA(NSW), ELEY Cartridges and Casella Wines with all winners returning home with a SSAA State Medallion, and plenty of supplies of ELEY cartridges and Yellow Tail Wine to try.
Sunday's competition was much improved with the weather much better and with some adjustments to the targets, the scores were higher.
As the last clays were thrown and the scores computed Darren Macartney (Hay) and Jayden Roe (Deniliquin) tied with a score of 128/150. After a full round of 25 targets Darren emerged as High Gun winner and State
5-Stand Champion by one target - a very credible effort from both shooters.
Other winners were:
AA Grade: Shaun Krzus (Griffith) 126, Matt Webster (Canberra) 121, Grant Barton (Bathurst) 121
A Grade: Anthony Pitt (Wodonga) 188, Simon Gee (Hay) 114, Andy Vaccaro (Canberra) 105
B Grade: Stacey Rossetto (Griffith) 108, Troy Adams (Griffith) 82
C Grade: Mitch McDonnell (West Wyalong) 77, Chaise Staltere (Griffith) 72, Tim Kiernan (Canberra) 68
Ladies: Casey Jacka & Jan Jacka (Hay) 69 (shoot-off), Diana Melham (Southern Highlands) 15
Juniors: Jayden Roe (Deniliquin) 128
Veterans: John Argilla (Shepparton) 113, David Brenton (Woolongong) & Warren Brown (Griffith) 112 (shoot-off)
The competition points from the best three State Selections Shoots were added to the points gained at the State Titles with Darren Macartney,
Jayden Roe, Shaun Krzus, Grant Barton and Frank Tagliapietra named as the 2012 SSAA(NSW) Shotgun Team. Congratulations to these five
competitors on some fine, consistent shooting throughout the year.
These competitors gained the following points towards selection in the 2012 National Shotgun Teams to be decided at the SSAA 5-Stand National
Championships at Griffith on 8/9 September:
Darren Macartney 19.5
Jayden Roe 19.5
Shaun Krzus 18
Matt Webster 17
Anthony Pitt 16
Simon Gee 14.5
Grant Barton 14.5
John Argilla 13
Frank Tagliapietra 10.5
Andrew Webb 10.5
David Brenton 10.5
Warren Brown 10.5
Greg Allen 7.5
Doug Brenton 7.5
Stacey Rossetto 5.5
Adrian Emery 5.5
Andy Vaccaro 4
Jamie Cirrilo 3
Anthony Blacker 2
Graeme Bennett 1
Silverdale Range recently hosted the Rimfire and Centrefire Hunter Class National Championships. This consists of a shoot-for score competition, where each competitor attempts to hit consecutive “bullseyes”.
From day one, the wind howled, and it was quite a feat to even get close to the target centre, and every shooter needed all their wiles and skill in the quest to gain a competitive edge. In all classes , the lead chopped and changed, as competitors fought the elements in the struggle for national honours.
We were proud to have staged such a prestigious event, and sincerely thank competitors, target crew and organisers for their input.
Results:
Rimfire Light.
100
1.B Mitchell
2.W Jupp
3. J Mitchell
200
1.W Jupp
2. D Powell
3. J Mitchell
Grand.
1.W Jupp
2. J Mitchell
3. R Cox
Rimfire Heavy
100
1.R Cox
2.P Armstrong
3.K Cosstick
200.
1.R Cox
2.B Mitchell
3.K Melgaard
Grand.
1.R Cox
2.B Mitchell
3.P Armstrong
Rimfire Two-Gun
1.R Cox
2.W Jupp
3.B Mitchell
Centrefire Light
100
1.P Duncan
2.D Billinghurst
3.K Eppleston
200
1.K Eppleston
2. E Parsons
3.W Jupp
Grand.
1. K Eppleston
2. P Duncan
3.E Parsons
Centrefire Heavy
100
1.D Parsons
2.E Parsons
3.W Jupp
200.
1.W Jupp
2.P Duncan
3.S Baranski
Grand
1.W Jupp
2. D Parsons
3. S Baranski
Centrefire Two-Gun
1.P Duncan
2. W Jupp
3.E Parsons
Rimfire and Centrefire Light Two-Gun
1.W Jupp
2.P Duncan
3.J Harrison
Rimfire and Centrefire Heavy Two-Gun
1.W Jupp
2.P Duncan
3.K Melgaard
National Four- Gun
1.W. Jupp
2.P Duncan
3.J Harrison
Silverdale Range recently hosted the NSW Championships for Light and Heavy Benchrest. Though a NSW event, competitors jetted in from around the country, and we had nearly ninety entries comprising one of the hottest fields since the National Titles!
One of the endearing features of Silverdale Range, is that winning is never easy. The switchable, variable conditions ensure that all title-holders really earn their mantle, and know that they are deserving! So it was on both Saturday and Sunday, with a variety of conditions, which drew the best out of all shooters. A feature of this contest was the effort of Barry Warwick, who has battled against real adversity this year, yet was able to dominate the 100 yard Light section, and claim the Bronze in the Grand Aggregate. Well done, Barry! Other notables were Paul Sullivan, and Murray Hicks who are always hovering around the winners circle, and woe betide any who commit a tactical error, as they are ever-ready to pounce. Paul earned the nick-name “the spider” for just this trait! I sincerely wish to thank all who made the effort to support this contest, particularly our inter-state visitors, who helped to make this a memorable and enjoyable week-end. Your efforts are appreciated!
Results:
LIGHT
100
1 Barry Warwick
2 Paul Sullivan
3 John Babic
200
1 Murray Hicks
2 Anthony Foate
3 Paul Sullivan
Grand
1 Paul Sullivan
2 Murray Hicks
3 Barry Warwick
Heavy
100
1 Michael Huebner
2 Murray Hicks
3 John Babic
200
1 Paul Sullivan
2 Justin King
3 Craig Whittleton
Grand
1 Paul Sullivan
2 Michael Huebner
3 Murray Hicks
2-Gun
1 Paul Sullivan
2 Murray Hicks
3 John Babic
3-Gun
1 Paul Sullivan
2 Murray Hicks
3 John Babic
4-Gun
1 Paul Sullivan
2 Murray Hicks
3 John Babic
