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It was a glorious Autumn day on the ANZAC Rifle Range on Sunday – with 88 competitors turning out for the annual MDRA ANZAC Day OPM.  Roseville had a contingent of 7 Club Members who entered and competed, with myself, Phill and Adam in Target Rifle, and Bobski, Allan, Janet and Michael in F-Class.

Bobski enjoying the sunshine

Allan relaxing while he waits.

There was a dignified Service of Remembrance held at the Memorial Gates outside the NSWRA Headquarters.  Each entrant in the OPM is provided with the details of one of our fallen soldiers with their cards.   My Entry featured Private Robert Poate – from 6 Battalion Royal Australian Regiment who was killed in Afghanistan on the 29^th of August 2012.  Lest we forget.

After the service – all competitors proceeded to the 600M mound to be greeted by quite a challenging southerly breeze.   T

Phill and Adam share a joke.

he wind was quartering from 1:30pm, switching to 2pm and would strengthen and then drop quickly.  There was not much of a “prevailing” wind and in this scenario – only one possible was shot in the first match across all disciplines by –  you guessed it – Jim Bailey of Holsworthy who posted an incredible 75.9.   I would love to take him out for a beer and pick his brain on how he did it.    There were no fantastic scores from our Roseville gang – but Michael Cuda came 2^nd in FTR

with an 85.3 and Adam Beale came 5^th in TRB with a 72.6.

The beginning of the second match served up much the same tricky conditions – although the wind started to push around to 12:30 and sometimes crossed over to 11:30 just to make it interesting.   It must have been an easier match – because 4 people out of the 88 competitors, myself included, posted a possible

Michael Cuda takes aim in the late afternoon sunshine

score.   I was definitely the beneficiary of shooting late in the day – when the wind was only switching between 11:30 and 12:30 – so if you held well you would still clip a bullseye at either 3 or 9 o’clock if you were out of step with it.  I was pleased to get up with a 75.7.

Adam Beale put a good performance in to record a 74.7 and this put him into 3^rd place in Target Rifle B-Grade with an aggregate score of 146.13 – the top score in TR for Roseville.  Michael Cuda was Mr Consistency – posting another 85 which put him into 2^nd place in the Aggregate for FTR – with 170.8 – 4 Super Centres behind Alexina Bunt from Hornsby Manly TRC.

As for the rest of our Club Members:

Janet was cheering on Adam – a proud mum

• Janet Beale picked up 4^th place in FTR with 164.5;
• Allan Humbert came 6^th in FTR with 158.6;
• Bob Kozminski came 7^th in FTR with 157.6;
• Adrian Bonanni came 10^th in TRA with 144.12;
• Phill Hodder came 16^th in TRA with 139.5

Adrian B just doing nothing 🙂

It was a wonderful day on the range – learning how to read the tricky wind at Malabar.   Michael Cuda was commenting after the shoot that it would be great for us all to get more experience at Malabar in conditions like that – to enhance our chances of success in major tournaments there.   I fully agree – and I will also be inviting Jim Bailey over for a steak and a bottle of shiraz sometime soon!

For more information on scores – go here: https://www.results.nraa.com.au/anzac-day-open-championships-2021-nsw-results-2/

Written by Adrian Bonanni, Photos by Phill Hodder

Last year, due to Covid, the 2020 Victorian Queens was postponed from Easter to end of 2020; then it was cancelled due to yet another Covid outbreak, but four RRC members (Mark Buchanan, Tim Walter, Adam Beale and Janet Beale) travelled to Wellsford Rifle Range at Bendigo to compete in the Victorian Queens 2021. It’s a pretty range that the kangaroos enjoy as if they were also shooters. The Roo’s think nothing of hopping across the field of fire (mid shoot) at 4pm when they think it should be their range…and no the shooting does not cease – we just have to shoot over their heads.

This is apparently the last place in Australia that you can still shoot a Queens on paper targets.

There were 151 competitors that made it to Bendigo despite Covid restrictions on some areas of Queensland.

The first morning shooters contend with sun (like 4pm in winter at Hornsby); and there are unexpected wind changes with flags & mirage not necessarily telling you what is going on. When one of the very big names in TR (who normally shoots 50-9) is shooting a pair of wild 3’s in what looks like relatively mild conditions (scoring 44-4) and he cant explain it, well you then have to wonder how us mere mortals could even hope to read the range. Most often you get to the firing position to shoot and hope it goes somewhat in your favour.  You know it is changeable when “Speedy Gonzales” Adam Beale gets a 3 minute warning and has to do his last shot in the final seconds of his 17 minute round.

So how did our RRC competitors go?

• Adam Beale (TR-B) spent the most time on the podium coming home with a handful of medals of all varieties. He won 3^rd place in the Queens TR- B and 2^nd in the Grand Aggregate TR-B. He top scored in TR-B a couple of times (600yds and 900yds). Overall accuracy was 94.97% in the Queens
• Mark Buchanan (TR-A) also made a podium position coming 3^rd at 700yds with a 50-6 and scored quite a few 50’s. Overall accuracy was 95.72% in the Queens
• Tim Walter (TR-A) didn’t return with any medals but he had an overall accuracy of 93.21% in the Queens
• Janet Beale (FTR) also didn’t return with any medals but her overall accuracy was 93.13% in the Queens.

What a challenge this range is. Congrats to our RRC competitors for giving it a go. Congrats to Jim Jeffery (Lyndhurst RC) for winning the Queens and Mark Horsnell (Werribee RC) for winning the Grand Aggregate – they triumphed at a very tough competition.

It was late 2019/early 2020 when the NSW Ladies State Team was being selected with the aim to compete in Bendigo at Easter 2020. This was to be the first composite (mixed discipline) NSW ladies team competing for the inaugural Shepherd Trophy (4 ranges 300y, 600y, 900y, 1000y  with each of 5 shooters having 10 counting shots). The competition was trialling the MCSI scoring system that does an equivalence between the various disciplines. Team Captain was Rebecca Shepherd, Wind Coach was Maureen Shepherd, and shooters were Alexina Bunt, Linda Sweet, Isabelle Cameron, Emma Kent, and Janet Beale (the sole Roseville RC rep on the team). Renee Hooper was the Reserve.

But due to Covid, things didn’t go to plan. Firstly, it was Easter 2021 when the 2020 match was actually held in Bendigo (which meant some substitutions to team members). Secondly, due to a last minute covid-hot spot definition, Queensland was unable to attend the competition, but the competition did proceed.

The wash up: ‘Victoria Blue’ won the competition on their home range, NSW came second due to some great wind coaching at 1000yds by the very experienced Maureen Shepherd. So how did our Roseville competitor do? Janet Beale was the top shooter in the NSW team (using the MCSI equivalency) and she was both the top scorer at 1000yds and top F-STD shooter across all teams.

Roseville RC looks forward to 2023 when some of our other lady shooters may also represent the State in Queensland.

“Spend Easter at Glen Rowan” (Victoria) the poster said…so two intrepid Rosevillians did just that driving the 7 hours to do so. Janet Beale and Adam Beale competed at the one-day Ovens and Murray District OPM and the one-day Wangaratta Prize meeting which is shot on the same range therefore they also have a combined two-day aggregate. A picturesque range running 3 Hextas and 6 paper targets with a good tree line on each side and a large treed hill as the backstop.  It was sunny both days with a light mirage and some interesting flags that sometimes couldn’t decide which way they wanted to fly.

There were 72 competitors on day 1 and 63 on day 2 of which 11 competitors came from NSW (not the usual faces either!) with a good mix between TR and F-Class (biggest class was F-Std) So how did RRC do?

Adam (shooting TR-B) scored 2 possibles (one on each day); and took home

• 4th place badge on day 1;
• 2nd place badge on day 2;
• 1st place two day aggregate badge and prize money
• Top Junior Target Rifle cash prizes for each day

Janet (shooting FTR) scored 2 possibles (one on each day); and took home

• 2 range prizes – one of these was a nail-biter 90-5 and the other was a phenomenal 60-9.
• 4th place badge on day 1;
• 4th place badge on day 2;
• 4th place two day aggregate badge (only 3 points behind the winner)

The presentation speakers said this is the best country prize meeting in Victoria and the Beale’s agreed that it was up there with Wingham as a competition worth the drive for.

Janet

Saturday 27 Feb 2021 and the NSDRA Arn Hammond participants gathered on the lawns to celebrate the previous shooting year 2019-20 in the much anticipated – but COVID delayed – presentation BBQ.  We were lucky that the weather was amenable and the NSW Covid safety protocols were relaxed the night before to allow the BBQ to go ahead.

Our first winners to be announced were the Roseville Target Rifle Team #1 (Mark B, Adam B, Dmitri K, Angus M, Stephen T, Patrick J, Rob T, Phill H). They took home 3 prestigious and very old range prize trophies and the overall 1^st place in the Arn Hammond 2019/20. They were 5 points ahead of Hornsby/Manly.

Our F-Standard was next up to the podium (Peter W, Adam B, Dmitri K, Allan H, Michael C, Graham C, Janet B). They also took home 3 range prize trophies and the overall 2^nd place in the Arn Hammond 2019/20 just 5 points behind Gosford.

Our FTR team (Allan H, Robert K, Ian P, Rob T, Janet B, Adam B, Eva P, Alan P, Michael C) also took home 3 range prize trophies and the overall 1^st place in the Arn Hammond 2019/20 and dominating the field.

It is interesting to see how many of our shooters above were in more than 1 team. This shows a broad range of skills in the club. Unfortunately Roseville did not leave a lot of team trophies on the table for other clubs or the other Roseville teams. But our congrats go to Gosford TR for their range prize; Gosford FSTD for winning the division and taking home a range prize; and, Hornsby/Manly for their range prize.

Special congrats go to Dmitri who received the trophy for the top-off-rifle score fired over the duration of the Arn Hammond Teams match – recording 296.30 over the four stages that were able to be completed.  Given the number of competitors and the high calibre of shooters this was a well-earned award!

The district’s Proficiency Award which was well earned by our own Allan Humbert. He earned this for his shooting, his support of the club and, the support of the district. Well done Allan!

Finally, there was the recognition of champion of champions. Roseville had two great outcomes in this individual category – Angus Langsford the Target Rifle Junior Champion for the district and Adam Beale the F-Standard Junior Champion for the district. Well done to our junior champs! Thanks should go to Phill Hodder who continues to support our junior shooters.

The camaraderie (and the snags) were terrific. Thanks to all that had a hand in bringing the day together.

Janet Beale

Saturday night saw another first for Roseville Rifle Club. Professor Mikhail Prokopenko delivered an informative and personal summary of the WW2 events in Ukraine during June – September of 1941, including a very large encirclement of Soviet armies after the Battle of Kiev. . It was an insight into the rarely spoken loss of over 500,000 Soviet soldiers (killed, captured or missing) in what was a terrible and terrifying fighting over a relatively short period of time in the vicinity of Kiev. Mikhail’s very personal account of the steps he has undertaken to uncover the path of his Grandfather and the 48th Engineering battalion his Grandfather served was a story of persistence, persuasion and administrative management in both the Russian and German governments.
Mikhail unveiled the steps he personally has taken to forensically unravel the steps of so many soldiers who in the majority perished as a result of this conflict. His research is ongoing and as he says “I might never know my Grandfather’s burial site but I am finding the likely place”.

Mikhail showed the detailed photos and maps of the battlefields, soldiers and equipment that revealed the human endeavours, equipment and terrain that confronted everyone who found themselves locked in conflict. Official documents from the German and Russian side including declassified information like papers, promotions of rank amongst others plus individual photos.
Stories of survival by Russian soldiers in the face of diabolical adversity were riveting.
The details that Mickhail provided was clearly just a glimpse of the personal journey that he has committed himself to in his endeavours to uncover the mystery of his Grandfather’s final resting place.
Although time did not permit Mikhail from revealing even more information everyone listening was engaged with his dramatic account.
Below are some links to Mikhail’s articles which are available on the web (google translated)
https://translate.google.com.au/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fsekretno.org%2F48-oib.html
https://translate.google.com.au/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fsekretno.org%2F48-oib-Zhuk.html

The evening was completed with a gourmet diner of lamb stew, vegetables, sausages and vintage wine and drinks.
Thanks to Mikhail everyone is the wiser about this event and his ongoing search for the truth.

Alan Patrick

I woke on Saturday morning to a dismal and cold rainy day. Not a good start! Arriving at the range a couple of hours later and opening the club house, I found a note from Dmitri asking for help down in the butts. Headed off to meet him, only to see him returning having doing some maintenance by himself. I was too late.

As Roseville is still duty club there’s plenty to be done. Time to put the rest of the flags out. Thankfully the school boys were practicing at 300M so those four flags were up already. Others helped with getting both our normal club equipment to the mound and butts and also the District gear in place as well. Ian Palmer did the first Butt’s Officer to be relieved by Allan Humbert. A boring, but necessary job.

By noon, the weather had cleared and although cold, there was a gentle wind and there were long glimpses of sun. As there was 16 competitors they were divided in to two squads. Unfortunately Gosford were unrepresented in target rifle. Each Club Champion shot on their club’s targets at each of the four ranges. Roseville represented by Phill Hodder (TR Senior), Angus Martin (TR Junior) and Graham Coote (F Standard).

Despite everyone’s best efforts shooting started by DRO Doug Bowen on time at 1pm!

300M. There were signs of first range jitters amongst the Senior shooters with dropped points and uncharacteristic large groups. Leading the charge was Richard Jones (Manly) 49.5, Geoff King (Hornsby) 49.4, John Alp (North Sydney) 49.3, Phill 48.4 and Adrian Bonanni (Hornsby RSL) 47.3. Juniors were headed by Angus 46.3 from Calum Mansfield (Manly) 40.1.

Now to F class. Standard: Graham blitzed the field with a well executed 60.5 (58.8mm group) followed by Adrian Siebel (Hornsby RSL) 58.5 (89.5), John Leask (North Sydney) 57.5 (115.1), Terry Howell (Gosford) 57.3 (80.7) and Alan Ashworth (Hornsby) 56.3 (94.5).

Standard Junior: Harry Brotherhood (Hornsby RSL) 56.3 (120.9) ahead of Mariette Rigby (Gosford) 52.1 (175.7).

F-Open: Alan Bowyer-Tagg (Hornsby RSL) 60.4 (58.8) leading by a count back from Phil de la Rue (North Sydney) 60.4 (59.0).

500M. Targets are intermittently in and out of shadows making sighting difficult. Despite that the shooters seemed to settle down to business. Phill kept two bull sighters (coincidentally his maximum grouping) and a dodgy line cutting ninth shot resulted in him leading with 50.7 (227.8) from Geoff 50.6 200.5, Adrian 50.5 (194.3), Richard 49.4 (259.9) and John 49.3 (200.8). Calum 48.3 (291.7) leading Angus 47.4 (313.3).

F-Std: Terry 60.6 (107.8), Adrian 60.5 (with a marvellous 82.1!), Graham 59.5 [caught by wind?] (124.1), John 59.3 (138.6) and Alan 55.1 (204.2).

Junior: Harry 57.4 (162.8) just beating Mariette 57.2 (206.1).

F-Open: A reversal with Phil’s 60.5 (95.1) beating Alan 59.7 (128)

700M. The sun is getting lower now and often at this time of year it is a real problem, particularly at longer ranges. Thankfully this year there is a large cloud covering it. Clapping was heard from the left most target when John put in a fantastic 50.10 (199.1). Phill cut a bull sighter, thus improving by ending on a super centre for 50.8 (228), Richard 50.6 (425.6), Geoff 50.5 (392.9) and Adrian 49.4 (399.6). Angus fired a fine 50.6 (325.7) beating Calum who lost one to the wind 49.5 (367.1).

F-Std John took out this range 60.7 (190.6) from Adrian who had the tightest group 60.6 (156.4), Graham 60.6 (202.6), Terry 60.5 (207.1) and Alan 58.5 (265.6). In the Juniors it was Mariette’s turn 58.5 (238.5) followed by Harry 56.3 (332.7).

F-Open: An extremely tight group by Phil gave him the range with 60.6 (154.3) while Alan had troubles including an expensive miss 50.2.

This is how everyone went in to the final range:

A pretty tight competition in Target Rifle and F Class Standard with several in each class within striking distance of the leaders.

800M. The heat is on. This will test each of the shooter’s ability in keeping calm and concentrating on just the current shot. Phill keeps two bull sighters, a good safety move. Part way through and Ian Palmer whispered in my ear that Geoff had dropped two inners! That meant that he was in with a chance, but so were others. In the end Phill prevailed scoring 50.3 (455.6) and third at that range. Richard first at 800M 50.4 (416.7), John also 50.4 (406.5) Geoff 48.4 (388.1) and Adrian 48.0 (534.9). Angus showed his true colours with a magnificent 50.8 (339.5) from Calum 48.2 (439.0). A terrific way to finish.

F-Std: Graham cemented his lead with a terrific 60.6 (an extremely small 138.5), then Terry 59.5 (206.9), Adrian 58.3 (273.2), John 57.4 (353.2) and Terry 55.2 (317.7). Harry gained a further point on Mariette, 56.4 (376.3) and 55.0 (348.5) respectively.

F-Open: Phil topped with a great 60.8 (169.2) with Alan 7 supers behind 60.1 (237.8)

Don’t worry, he survived..

The final table looks like this:

Thanks to all those who helped set-up and take-down the range, manned the butts, acted as scorers and supported all the Club’s Champions. Thanks also to Dmitri and others who ensure our targets are in top condition, to the NSDRA for hosting the event, and to Adrian, our District Statistician.
It was a shame that there wasn’t a bigger attendance from all clubs to witness a great contest by all shooters and to celebrate the winners and all competitors.

I am proud to be a member of our club, the winners of three prestigious grades and particularly proud of my son. Well done Phill, Angus and Graham.

Uncle Mike

Roseville Rifle Club brings home the bacon …..

Five intrepid Roseville members made the annual pilgrimage to Mudgee to compete in the 94^th Mudgee District Rifle Association Open Prize Meeting.

Phill Hodder, Allan Humbert, Dmitri Kazakov, Michael Cuda and Tim Walter together with Tim’s son Ian and his partner Kris, enjoyed each other’s company and the hospitality that the beautiful town of Mudgee had to offer.

Day 1 on Saturday at 500yds started well for Phill in Target Rifle A Grade, shooting strongly in all stages with 50.6, 50.5 and 50.6, the last match coming 3^rd as well as finishing clean in 3^rd position in the daily aggregate with 150.17.

Dmitri unusually dropped a few points with 48.4 followed by 50.6 and 47.2 and finished with 145.12.

Tim performed well in Target Rifle B Grade with 48.2, 47.0 and 46.2, coming 3^rd in both the first and third matches and finishing with 141.4.

In F – Standard A Grade Michael shot 59.6, 57.4 and 60.3 coming 3^rd in the first stage, 2^rd in the last stage and 2^nd in the daily aggregate with 176.13.

Allan stole the show in F-Standard B Grade shooting 60.6, 60.8 and 59.3 taking 1^st position in all 3 matches and easily winning the daily aggregate with 179.17.

Day 2 at 600 yds on Sunday proved a more little tricky, especially later in the afternoon when the winds picked up.

Phill shot 49.7, 50.7 and 47.3 taking 2^nd place in the second match and finishing the weekend with 296.34 in the grand aggregate and wining a badge.

Dmitri scored 49.4, 50.4 and 48.4 finishing with a total of 292.24 for the weekend.

The great Duncan Davies (West Wallsend) won the grand aggregate with 299.42 which was particularly impressive after also taking 1^st place last year.

In Target Rifle B Grade, Tim recorded 47.4 in the first match taking 3^rd place, 48.2 taking 2^nd place and 46.2 to finish in 2^nd place in the last match and in grand aggregate with total of 282.11.

In F-Class A Grade Michael took 3^rd place in the first match with 59.1, followed by 57.3 and 53.2 and finished 3^rd in the grand aggregate with 345.21.

Once again Allan blitzed F-Class B Grade despite blustery winds recording 59.3 taking 1^st place followed by 51.4 and 58.2 to take 2^nd place and finishing in 1^st place in the weekend grand aggregate with 347.26.

Lithgow Rifle Club’s Brett Bond took 1^st place in F-Standard A Grade in the grand aggregate with 355.31 proving his dominance in “Forky Stick” – as with Duncan Davies, he too won last years aggregate, making this a back to back win.

Once again Roseville Rifle Club brought home the bacon with lots of badges being won and a good time had by all….

Mike Cuda

Mark Buchanan, Dmitri Kazakov, Rob Trodden, Andrew Martin, Angus Martin, Tim Walter, Gary Faulkner, Michael Cuda, Alan Humbert, and Robert Kozminski, all attended the NSDRA Championships on 7/8 November 2015. Phil Hodder and Steve Tofler shot on Saturday only. Recent heavy rain changed the programme somewhat and Day 1 saw shoots at 600m and 700m.

600 metres.
Mark started off with intent, winning A Grade with 50.8. Angus Martin won B Grade  with 49.2 with Tim in 3^rd place with 48.3.

700 metres
Phil Hodder came 2^nd in A Grade with a fine 50.8 to a hot Malcolm McKenzie with 50.10. Mike Hodder  came 2^nd in B Grade with an excellent 49.8. Alan came 3rd in FS/B with 58.3

Day 1 Aggregate.
Mark topped A Grade with 100.13. Angus came 2^nd in B Grade with 98.5 with Tim in 3^rd place on 97.5. Alan Humbert came 3^rd in FS/B with 113.6.

Day 2 was shot over 600m, 600m and 700m.

600 metres – 1
Mark came 3^rd in A Grade with 50.7, Angus came 2^nd in B Grade with 48.6 and Mike came 3^rd with 48.2.

600 metres – 2
Mark dropped a point on his second last shot for 49.5. Angus came 3^rd in B Grade with 47.3. Gary came 2^nd in FS/A with 58.5 and Michael Cuda came 3^rd with 58.4.

700 metres
Tim won the range in B Grade with 50.5, with Angus 3^rd with 50.4. Gary won FS/A with a beautiful 60.7. Alan came 3^rd in FS/B with 57.3.

Day 2 Aggregate.
Mark came 5^th with 149.18, Angus 2^nd in B Grade with 145.13 and Tim 3^rd with 143.12. Gary came 2^nd in FS/A with 176.17.

Grand Aggregate.
Mark finished 2^nd with 249.31, just overtaken by Evan Jones who finished with 50.9 to win the championships with 249.34.
Angus came 2^nd in B Grade with 243.18 and Tim came 3^rd with 240.17.
Gary came 2^nd in FS/A with 290.22, a point  behind Alexina Bunt on 291.22.
Alan came 3^rd in FS/B with 280.15

Masters Match
Mark fired a fine 50.9  but amazingly, was beaten on count back by both Jim and Mitch Bailey.

Teams Matches.
The Roseville TR team of Mark, Dmitri, Angus and Rob won the TR teams Match with 197.23. The Roseville FS team of Gary, Robert, Michael Cuda and Alan were unfortunate to finish 2^nd, with 226.10, just one point behind the winning team.

A good weekend was had by all and it was a welcome return to the 2 day format for the Championships.
Rain threatened, but mainly stayed away. One fancy vehicle became bogged after the shoot, but it was extricated by some kind hands on rescuers!

Congratulations to the NSDRA organisers, particularly Kathy and Adrian, Grumpy, Len and Jeff, and others who gave up their chance to shoot to help run the meeting.

Tim

The following is a brief summary and impressions from the three weeks Angus (Shooter), Mark (Shooter) and Mike (Manager) spent as members of the Australian Under 25 and Veterans’ Teams at Camp Perry (Cleveland Ohio) for the USA, World Individual and Teams shoots including the Palma match.

Crack of dawn Monday saw Mike and Mark at Border Control (previously Australian Customs Service), Mascot. Clearances made despite Mike forgetting his Firearms’ Licence. On to United’s counter for check-in. An hour later and we were aboard our B777 for the 15 hour flight to LAX. (Angus made his way with the Under 25 team)

Arriving on time, we thought that our three hour transfer time would be adequate. We were so wrong! Luggage hall is gigantic with our main cases arrived on a carousel at one end, our rifle from a hole in the wall at the other end. Then a very long walk from Terminal 1 to T7 taking our cabin bags and rifles, only to be confronted with more chaos and lines (sorry, queues) eventually getting to our planes gate for the onward flight to Cleveland. Our plan for everyone to meet and board the same flight didn’t work as over a dozen of our group missed the connection. {A note of caution, when flying to USA, try to enter USA in almost any other port than LAX. It’s the pits!!!}

A 4 ½ hour flight saw us arrive early evening. While collecting our luggage we noticed that all our groups’ luggage had arrived – without all passengers! Arrangements were made for those who were delayed to be safely stored pending their arrival. We collected our rental cars and drove 90 minutes to our Port Clinton hotel arriving around 7pm. A quick meal and drink and off to bed.

Next morning we found the rest of the group. They had checked in at 2 am – and we thought we’d had a long time away from a bed. Our team of 12 shooters, captain, manager and coaches and four partners spent the next few days were spent recovering from jet lag, visits to the range, sight-seeing, shopping and trying to find (unsuccessfully) healthy food. A highlight was a visit to a nearby South Bass Island’s Put-in-Bay where we saw the Perry Peace Memorial, 317 feet (97m) high and a delicious lunch on Lobster Bisque followed by more lobster.

We also made a day trip back to Cleveland we visited the Crawford Auto Aviation Museum http://www.wrhs.org/research/crawford well worth the visit with several hundred cars, bikes and planes amongst the exhibits. Next door is a mansion turned in to a museum with a large number of great exhibits.

General observations: -This part of Ohio is a huge flat area on the Northern side of Lake Eire (currently suffering from green algae), the shallowest in the Great Lakes Chain. The lakes are the largest inland fresh water in the world. As such, they have their own climate and while we were there mostly benign. However, we did experience a couple of spectacular thunderstorms with heavy rain which caused flooding and power outages. There have been thousands of ships wrecked on the lakes, many of which were extremely large. Around the roads lakeside are a series of warning sirens mainly for storms.

Camp Perry is a pleasant 20 minute drive along the foreshore from our hotel.

Impressions of Camp Perry: – It is huge, 642 acres (250 hectares) in area. Boasts to have the largest outdoor range in the world. Two main full-bore ranges with about 300 targets up to 1000 yards. With no butt-stops, bullets end up in Lake Eire on the Northern Boundary. It is training camp for National Guard, home of The Civilian Marksmanship Program. Also small-bore and pistol ranges to give a total of 15 ranges, most of which can be used simultaneously. The Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station is about 10 miles away from the range. The 150 metre cooling tower is clearly visible on the left of the range and from the foreshore near our hotel. There is a huge wind turbine next to the range, but this was inoperative while we were there.

Every morning there is the Colors (sic) Ceremony. Following a count-down, the canon is fired and the National Anthem is played throughout the range. Everyone stands to attention and service and ex-service personnel salute, even if not in uniform. There is a roll call before shooting starts every morning. At the start of every range, there is a recitation of safety rules, standing orders and match rules. Blow off shots are allowed each morning. The sound of several hundred shooters firing three or four shots aver a short period of time was deafening.

Shooting: – For the first 4 days, there were other competitions going on which unfortunately didn’t involve us. We finally got to fires some sighters at 300 yards on Saturday 1^st August around 5pm. It made a long day waiting around due to program delays and we didn’t get back to the hotel until after 7pm. It was however good as it got us in the habit of early rises and long days.

Each day were involved in shooting, we were at the range before 7am and usually back to the hotel between 5 and 6pm. Twelve hours to shoot 60 counting shots (over in about 30 minutes!). We were in large squads as the organisers could only get markers for around 70 targets.

Sunday was a free day with the “Meet and Great”, finger food and drinks in the evening. The next three days were the USA Individual Championships with three 15 shot matches each day over 300, 600, 900 and 1000 yards with our “Veterans’ Dinner” on Tuesday 4^th August. Here Matt Pozzebon from West Wallsend Rifle Club came out victorious following Ben Emms; success last year. Mark was 23^rd in the Veterans.

Thursday and Friday were the Veterans WC Teams and Tony Loughnan Memorial Teams matches each four 10 shot matches over 300, 600, 900 and 1000 yards. The Australian teams were placed 4^th and 3^rd respectively. Angus picked up the bronze in the Under 25 individuals. A great effort.

Saturday 8^th saw practice in the morning and a 15 shot match at 800 yards to start the WILRC. Followed by three more days with 15 shots at 800, 900 and 1000 yards culminating with a final ten shooting off at a 1000. Benn Emms won the event with after a nail biting final with Nigel Ball (GB) and Matt 2^nd and 3^rd. A great way for Mike to celebrate his 68^th birthday with Mark participating in some sleight of hand with greetings from those left behind in Sydney.

Wednesday was a practice day for the Palma Teams. We did some chores including a much needed trip to the Laundromat. That evening we had our team dinner at Brandy’s Steakhouse, great food and drink and fellowship after an exhausting fortnight’s shooting.

Thursday and Friday (13^th and 14^th August) had the Palma Teams match. 15 shots over 800, 900 and 1000 yards each day. Australia started well each day but faded badly particularly at the longest range where Great Britain with consistent shooting and great coaching showed the other teams how to do it.

We took Steve and Carolyn Williams (Bathurst) to Toledo late Saturday morning and visited the new maritime museum http://www.inlandseas.org/museum . It is an amazing set-up with interactive exhibits as well as memorabilia. Anchored alongside is the Col. James M. Schoonmaker, a 613 foot (200 metres) lake freighter built in July, 1911. We spent some time clambering over and around this fine old vessel. Then we had a late seafood lunch on the riverside and off to our hotel.

Sunday, our last whole day before flying home was spent doing last minute washing and packing. Monday was an early start with Mike taking Steve and Carolyn to the airport at 3am. Then back to the hotel for a rest. Then the long trip home started with a delayed flight back to LAX and onwards to Sydney, arriving early Wednesday morning and the joy of long queues at Boarder control and home.

Lasting impressions: – The real honour of representing Australia in the world competitions; the friendship and acceptance of the Veterans Team; the cohesive nature of our team and their traveling spouses (particularly with scoring duties, and luncheon supplies); support and continuous encouragement from family, friends and club mates; meeting old friends; making new ones; camaraderie, particularly with the Great Britain Veterans who were at the same hotel; being ragged about the cricket results; the helpful volunteers and staff of the NRA; daylight from 4:30am until 8pm; hot and humid conditions; massive rain storms; willingness of the Palma Team Members to assist us, particularly during our team events; seagulls by the hundreds so far from the sea; and last and not least – our green golf cart, decked out with Australian flags, ever ready to transport team members and their gear to and from the range, ably driven by Mark and Mike, together with several team members, and of course John Schafferius.

 Uncle Mike

Seventy nine (79) competitors took part in this year’s NSDRA Open Prize Meeting on Sunday 2^nd November, with shooters coming from as far afield as the NSW North Coast and Central West. Roseville was well represented with 10 members competing in Target Rifle and F-Standard categories. Once again Roseville performed strongly, especially in B-Grade and C-Grade Target Rifle.

Mark, Phil, Dmitri, Jon, Rob, Mike, Angus, Alan, Gary and Michael all took part in this annual event on home soil.

The day started at 500m with Dmitri posting 50.5, Mark with 49.4, Jon with 49.3, Phil 48.3 in A-Grade and Rob coming second in B-Grade with 48.3, followed by Mike who took third place with 47.4. Angus Martin took second place in C-Grade posting a strong 50.1.

Mark

Rob

Alan shot very well, posting 59.5 in the first match to take out third place in F Std A-Grade.

The second match at 600m saw Mark score 50.4 narrowly missing a place. Rob and Mike dominated B-Grade with 49.2 and 46.3 respectively and Angus took out third place in C-Grade with 46.2.

Phil scored a very strong 50.7, however just missed out on 3rd place on count back in A-Grade on the last match of the day at 700m. Mike took first place with an excellent 50.5 and Rob with 49.4 to take second place in B-Grade.

Gary and Michael redeemed themselves in the last match at 700m and took first and second place in F Std A-Grade posting 60.4 and 60.3 respectively as well as winning the pairs.

Mike

Allan

The final placings for the day’s aggregate saw Mark take 5^th position with 148.12 in A-Grade Target Rifle. Rob won B-Grade with 146.9 and Mike came second with 143.12, together with Angus who came in 3^rd in C-Grade with 141.4.

Alan shot consistently high scores throughout the day and came 4^th in F Std A- Grade with 174.10, only just missing out on 3rd place by one super centre and first place by one point.

Michael Cuda

Sponsored by Roseville, North Sydney, Hornsby RSL, Manly, Hornsby, Gosford and 18^th Battalion Rifle Clubs

Sunday 2nd November 2014 at Hornsby Rifle Range

2+10 shots at 500, 600 and 700m

To be shot on the HEXTA-2 electronic target system

Shooting commence at 09:00 hrs, Entries open Sunday 08:30, close at 10:15

Come and practice with us Saturday afternoon 1300 – 1630 @ 600m

This Championship is open to all TR A, B and C Grade competitors.

“F” Class Open and “F” Class Standard A and B, “F-TR” and Military Bolt competition.

Entry Fee remains at $30 for all Grades.

Masters Match (TR, FS, FO), Teams Match, Pairs match, Ladies, Veterans, Tyro and School Shooter Trophies

Food and refreshments will be available

Aggregate Bullion Badges will be allocated in all Grades and Disciplines. Due to late inclusion of F-TR there will be no Bullion Badges for “F-TR”.

Limited accommodation with hot showers available on range – book early

This Open Prize Meeting will be conducted under the Standard Shooting Rules 2014 and as amended/approved by NRAA. The committee reserves the right to vary the program and/or prize list if circumstances warrant

Prize Money will be allocated in proportion to the number of entries received.

Contact for further details: Cathy Burnitt Hon Secretary 0418 248807, e-mail: burnittcj@bigpond.com

North Shore District Rifle Association Mid Range Championship 2013

Sponsored by Roseville, North Sydney, Hornsby RSL, Manly, Hornsby, Gosford and 18th Battalion Rifle Clubs

Sunday 3rd November 2013 at Hornsby Rifle Range

2+10 shots at 500, 600 and 700m

To be shot on the Hexta-2 electronic targets

Shooting commence at 09:00 hrs.

Entries open Sunday 08:30, close at 10:15

Come and practice with us Saturday afternoon 13:00 – 16:30

This Championship is open to all TR A, B and C Grade competitors, “F” Class Open and “F” Class Standard A and B competition, Military Bolt competition.

Entry Fee remains at $30 for all Grades.

Masters Match, Teams Match, Pairs match
Ladies, Veterans and School Shooter Trophies
Food and refreshments will be available

Aggregate Badges will be allocated in all Grades

Limited accommodation with hot showers available on range – book early

This Open Prize Meeting will be conducted under the Standard Shooting Rules 2013 and as amended/approved by NRAA. The committee reserves the right to vary the program and/or prize list if circumstances warrant

Prize Money will be allocated in proportion to the number of entries received.

Contact for further details:
Cathy Burnitt Hon Secretary 0418 248807
email : burnittcj@bigpond.com

Mark Buchanan, Allan Humbert and Tim Walter shot in the RA Rolph lead up and were joined for the Queens by Jon Marriott.  Andrew and Angus Martin shot Day 2 and Day 3 of the Queens. R A Rolph Scores were as follows:

RA Rolph scores:

Tim came third and won a bronze medal with 50.6 at 300m on Day 1.  Mark came second and won a silver medal with 50.8 at 600m on Day 2.  Allan came third and won a bronze medal with 59.04 at 700 and followed up with second and a silver medal with 83.08 at 800m on Day 2. This gave Allan second place in the Day 2 Aggregate and another silver medal. Mark finished third in the Rolph Aggregate and won a bronze medal with 342.33, three points behind the winner, Helen Griffiths with 345.36.

Queens Day 1 and Day 2 scores:

No medals were won on Day 1, but Mark finished in 8th position, one point behind the leader, Jim Bailey, on 149.22.

Day 2 saw Angus Martin win the Gold medal in C Grade at the first 800m with a 44.01 and finishing 4th both at the second 800m and in the Day 2 Aggregate. In the Progressive Aggregate, Mark was now coming 8th, with 295.28 two points behind the leader, Geoffrey Grenfell. Allan was placed 7th in FC/S.

Queens Day 3 score:

Day 3 500m 600m Aggr. Total Aggr. Allan(F-class) 54.02 52.01 106.03 446.15 Mark (Full Bore) 50.06 46.02 96.08 391.36 Andrew (Full Bore) 47.01 44.02 91.03 — Jon (Full Bore) 45.04 47.04 92.08 373.25 Tim (Full Bore) 48.06 44.02 92.08 378.29 Angus (Full Bore) 38.01 42.01 80.02 —

Angus Martin was the only member to medal on Day 3 coming second to win the silver medal in C grade with 42.01 at 600m.

Mark need a 50.00 to win the Queens at the last range, however, after recording 5 bulls, his scorer gave him an incorrect 3 minute warning, when in fact, he had about 8 minutes remaining, and the next shot, fired in haste in tricky conditions, was an inner. Bad luck Mark!

Next time…

Winners

Little did we know that Mark had in fact won the Target Rifle A Grade Grand Championship with 733.069! Mark was almost at Goulburn when your Captain rang to tell him the news, which gave me my only opportunity to collect a Grand Championship Gold medal and No 9 Queens Badge on Mark’s behalf!

Allan Humbert finished in a creditable 9th place in the F Class Standard Grand Championship with 834.34

It was very nice to see six members of Roseville competing in these Championships and doing so well. Conditions were not easy and it was a credit to Roseville shooters, who do not get much meaningful wind experience at Hornsby Range, to take on the challenge at Canberra range.

Allan seems to hit another gear when he travels away to a big competition and it was very pleasing to see Angus do so well in his first attendance at Canberra.

Mark was so close to a ride in the chair, but at least had the consolation of winning the Grand Championship.

Well done guys.

Tim Walter.

Captain.