PORT Campbell Rifle Club – Current holders of five shields

PORT Campbell Rifle Club president Alan Blain knows just how difficult it is to win one shooting shield.
But what he still can’t fathom is how the rifle club managed to be in possession of five of the most prestigious rifle shooting shields in Victoria.

Remarkably, the small club of enthusiastic shooters have won all five of the shields on offer in the past 12 months, a feat that may have never been achieved before.
“The club has five shields from the Western District year and these shields have been competed for well over 100 years,” Mr Blain said.
“It’s quite a challenge and a thrill; we’re quite pleased to have them.”

The five shields include the Corangamite shield which commenced in 1903,Warrnambool Citizen’s shield in 1907, and the Camperdown Rifle Club Challenge shield in 1925.
The Rifle Clubs Union Challenge shield and the J Eldridge shield are the remaining two shields and they were first held in 1951 and 1958 respectively.

Mr Blain said that while the club was aware of the magnitude of their achievements over the past 12 months, it hadn’t been an easy process.
“It could be the first time in the competition that a club has held all five shields in a 12 month period,” he said.
“It’s been extremely difficult to hold one shield, let alone five, so we must be doing something right.”

Mr Blain said that each competition was unique.
“Each shield is a different competition. The competition for the Corangamite Challenge shield is held on one day and involves ten shots over 300, 500 and 600 yard distances in a coached team of six,” he said.
“The four best scores go towards the final score.”

Mr Blain said the importance of the coach was not to be underestimated, as their role helped shooters complete the task at hand.
“The coach’s job is to effectively follow the wind and mirage and work with the shooter to hit the middle of the target and get the best score,” he said.

The club’s quest to retain the coveted Corangamite shield will be held on home turf this year, with that event scheduled to be held in March.

Meanwhile, the rifle club will return to shooting at the club range this weekend.
“This Sunday afternoon from 12pm, anyone wanting to have a go is welcome to come and try full-bore rifle shooting at Port Campbell,” Mr Blain said.

Anyone wanting to view the shields can do so via a display at Heytesbury District Historical Society.

Back Row: Russall Lenehan, Peter Doolan, Neil Gamble, Wes Eldridge
Front Row: Allan Blain, Paul Jeffery’s, Henry ( Dog ), David Roberts

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Maryborough Rifle Club successful for the second year in a row at the Skene Shield

Back L/R - Trevor Rhodes, Adam Davies, Brett May, John Hedges, Max Hedges

Front L/R - Barry Davies, Tony Anderson, Jenny Davies, Donna Kelsall

Maryborough Rifle Club members won the final stage of the Skene Shield, which was shot at Stawell Rifle range on November 4th.
Thomas Skene presented the Skene Shield in memory of his son Lieutenant William Skene who was killed at Nooitgedachte in the Transvaal South Africa on December 13th 1900 during the Boer war.

District Rifle Clubs have competed for the Shield ever since its presentation with 8 clubs currently competing.
Maryborough shot against Stawell and Natimuk in the F class division. Teams consist of 6 shooters and a wind coach with the top 4 scores counted in the overall tally. Despite a tricky wind and varying mirage conditions all Maryborough members shot extremely consistently.
This year saw Maryborough win easily with a total score of 485.38 followed by Natimuk with 466.19 and Stawell 459.11. Maryborough shooter Adam Davies also won the top individual score for the day only dropping 2 points overall.

Competition was over 3 ranges of 300, 500 and 600 yards with 7 scoring shots per range. Competing for Maryborough was Trevor Rhodes (122.10), Donna Kelsall (117.7), Adam Davies (124.11), Brett May (118.6), Jenny Davies (119.7) and Tony Anderson (120.10). Much of the credit must go to the coach Barry Davies whose excellent coaching skills kept the shooters consistently in the centre. Thanks also to brothers Max and John Hedges for providing scoring and marking services.

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Victorian Queens Series

Held at Wellsford Rifle Range on the 29th March to the 2nd April

Report link:The 142nd Victorian Championships

Scores link: NRAA - Results page

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