(Military Rifle and Pistol) State Championships on the May day long weekend.
There were 88 competitors
nominated for these championships, including representatives
from the following Branches:
Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Lockyer, Mackay,
Townsville,
Darling Downs, Blackwater Bluff, Eidsvold, Morinish, Glenden, Fraser Coast,
Middlemount,
and 2 competitors from New South Wales.
The matches were contested in 2 classes: Class 1 Pistol, which are pistols that have been, or are,
on regular issue to Defence Forces (Army, Navy or Air Force), and Class 2 Pistols, which are, or have
been, on general issue to defence/law enforcement organisations. 4 separate events were contested
by both Classes of pistols.
56 competitors contested the Class 1 Pistol
matches, including 11 females and 4 Junior shooters.
The main " 3-position Core Event" consists of 36 rounds; 12 each at 3
different distances.
There are 5 different Grades the competitors are grouped in, as well as
Junior grade.
The pistol Open "TOP GUN", which is the competitor with the highest total
score of all 4 events with
the Class 1 Pistol, was Tony Bennet from the Townsville Branch - a Grand
Master grade competitor.
The Junior "TOP GUN" was Belinda Knight from the Blackwater Bluff
Branch. The Lady "TOP GUN"
was Danielle Reed from the Mackay Branch. The highest score, and the most
vee-bulls (central hits)
in the 3P Core event went to Tony Bennett from the Townsville Branch, with a
score of 355.23 out
of a possible 360.36.
The highest score in the 3P Core Event was 354.15, achieved by Michael Roberts from the Rockhampton
Branch, another Grand Master grade competitor. The most vee-bull hits was 17, claimed by Trevor Rock
from the Darling Downs Branch.
Sunday May 2nd was the beginning of the rifle competitions. The weather deteriorated overnight, and
there were showers for the rest of the Championships. 3 separate matches were held, and 1- 6 round
pistol match as well. Both Standard and Accurised rifles contested these events. A Standard Service Rifle
is an original - or faithfully reproduced model (with no modifications), that has been on regular issue to,
or evaluated by a defence or law enforcement force for regular issue.
Accurised rifles are rifles that have been modified beyond the original specifications to enhance
accuracy. 69 competitors contested the Standard rifle division, including 10 female and 8 Junior shooters.
The "Rapid Fire B" event was won by Peter Brown from NSW. The Junior section was won by Peter Hillier
from the Eidsvold Branch. The highest score in the 3P Core event was 147.17 out of a possible 150.30.
The 300m Deliberate event highest score was 49.04 out of a possible 50.10,and was shot by
Simon Lucas from the Townsville Branch.
39 shooters contested the Accurised
division, 47 contested the .22 Trainer, 35 contested the .310
Martini Cadet, and 49 contested the various Sniper rifle events.
The rifle Top Gun -Open was Peter Brown
from NSW, the Top Gun-Junior was Jake Ballandis from the
Gladstone Branch, and the Top Gun-Lady was Emily Cronin from the Middlemount
Branch. The Mackay
Branch Team consisting of Chris and Danielle Reed, and Doug and Michael
Purkis managed to claim 3rd
place in the Teams Event.
Martini Cadet, and 3 types of Sniper class rifles. The highest score in the .22 trainer division was
147.13 by Middlemount shooter Anthony Wilson, and the best Junior score was 132.10 by Megan Phillips
from the Glenden Branch. The best .310 score was 145.17,once again by Anthony Wilson, and the best
Junior score was 111 by Belinda Knight from the Blackwater Bluff Branch.
S.S.A.A. Mackay Branch Inc. would like to thank Paramount Hire Service for the donating the hire fees of 2 portable toilets for the duration of these Championships, and also to Mitre 10 for the loan of their Marquee.
Steve Kelly, Heather, Doug and Michael Purkis, Fred Wright, Megan and Emily Phillips, Steve-Belinda-Mitchell Knight, Noel Spry, Danielle Reed, Tom Badger and many, many others who all combined to make these State Championships one of the best anyone can remember.
S.S.A.A. Mackay Branch Inc. thanks all the competitors and supporters for their attendance and assistance.
Hope to see you all again in the near future.