Overall high gun winner Stephen Murphy, Billy Hartney and Graeme Ludbrook. Photos: Steve Huntley.
The Colbinabbin Clay Target Club held its biggest event of the year, the Anzac Day shoot, on Saturday, April 25.
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A total of 90 shooters from locally and as far afield as the Northern Territory commemorated the occasion and took to the ranges, including a newly installed fourth layout, to test their skills.
A new fourth shooting layout saw its first action at the shoot.
“We’ve had to expand our grounds because of our continued excellent support,” club president Lee Fitzgerald said.
“We’ve put in a fourth layout and we had the club committee work absolutely flat out for the four weeks leading up to Anzac Day and we were able to get that fourth ground completed.
“That helped us get through the day much better than we normally would and on top of that, we also have installed three brand new state-of-the-art trap machines.
“They’re among the best machines you can buy at the moment to throw the targets.”
Colbinabbin Clay Target Club president Lee Fitzgerald, Cathy MacKenzie and Travis Williams.
Grant funding assisted with the new machines, but the layout, including the earthworks and concreting, was performed by dedicated committee members.
Stephen Murphy from St James was the overall high gun winner on Anzac Day, hitting 148/150 targets.
Kerang’s Michael Wilson (124/130) claimed the junior title, while Tanya Fothergill of Numurkah (120/130) was the ladies winner and Cohuna’s Ray Peatling (145/150) took veterans honours.
Attendees commemorated the occasion before taking to the ranges.
Even outside these major events, Fitzgerald said the club regularly attracted about 60 members to its monthly shoots, with strong junior and, recently, women’s participation.
The additional layout will assist the club in getting through its shoots more efficiently and finishing earlier.
Ninety shooters enjoyed the day.
“For a small club to get to four layouts is really impressive and to have the numbers (we have) is the epitome of community spirit,” Fitzgerald said.
“We’ve got a great little shooting community there and people will support those places where they enjoy having a day out and the social aspect.
“I often use the analogy that it’s very much like men’s shed, but for everyone.
“Right now we’ve got a really good thing going, people are really enjoying it and it’s just going from strength to strength.”
Canteen staff kept the shooters sustained throughout the day.
New members and spectators are welcome to attend the club’s monthly shoots, held on the fourth Sunday of each month.
The next such shoot will be held on Sunday, May 24.
Julian Avery models a commemorative shirt.
The Anzac Day shoot is Colbinabbin Clay Target Club’s biggest event of the year.
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