I had the pleasure of attending the NSSA registered target skeet shoot at the Brisbane Gun Club over the weekend 4, 5 & 6th March 2011. I am writing this article, as the Brisbane gun club deserves a big pat on the back for running what I consider an outstandingly successful event. It was one of the best-presented and conducted shoots that I have ever had the pleasure of attending. Brisbane Gun Club, take a bow.

Shooters from as far afield as Melbourne (Mals marauders x 5), Pat from Townsville, Shane & Maurie from WA, John from Canberra, Harry from Sydney and myself from Wodonga rolled up to take the field up to 31 competitors.

The traps, grounds and amenities were all of a high standard and the staff needs to be complimented for a job well done.

The club supplied referees and scorers and I for one did not receive a single slow or fast release for the entire weekend. The Matterelli traps performed as advertised and there were minimal “no targets”. Lunches of chicken & salad were supplied at a very reasonable price of $7.00 with nibblies, biscuits and brews available on demand. The bar was a favourite parking area at the conclusion of each days shooting.

The weekend was conducted under the NSSA rules and procedures and was marshalled by Glenn Walker. Not having ever shot under the NSSA format I was extremely impressed with the smooth flow of events. There were no delays or confusion; all shooters were advised prior to the weekend of their squadding and time required on station one for each event. The flight rotations were fair and adhered to; everyone knew exactly when and where they had to be at any given time.

The 500 targets thrown consisted of 50 pair of doubles on the Friday, 100x12 gauge & 100x28g on Saturday concluding with 100x20gauge & 100x.410 on Sunday. Nominations were a respectable $200.00 for the weekend with purses for grades, high guns and overall available.

I attended this shoot primarily to support the Brisbane gun clubs endeavours to run a NSSA registered shoot, my secondary motive was to tie one on with Dave Dundon which I scored the perfect 200 out of 200. I initially had reservations regarding the need to have an American modelled shoot here in Australia. I was of the mind “we can do it as well as anybody” we don’t need to be told how to do business by the Yanks. I am now a convert, I can honestly report that a shoot of this nature is not only fun as you get to shoot the whole event in one visit but when finished, its over and done with, you can relax, shoot through or have an ale, no waiting around getting cold or stale and having to get hyped up again to perform the next wave of the same event.

I hope the shooters, from other clubs, who attended this shoot return home and consider a NSSA event for inclusion in their next years shoot calendar.

To the organisers, referees, scorers, shoot marshal, bar staff, kitchen staff, grounds persons and my mate Dave Dundon, who loaded the traps all weekend, - thanks people for a great weekend. I for one will make the pilgrimage to Brisbane if the club runs an event of this nature in the future. Thank you Brisbane.

Dennis Savage ACTA No 64930


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