News from 2013 ~ 2017

Celebratory Re Opening Day a Huge Success 20 May 2017

The club held its official re opening day on Saturday 20 May 2017 in conjunction with the May DTL shoot. Almost 50 shooters were in attendance to help join in the celebrations and make this very special day in the clubs history a most memorable occasion.

The club stopped the competition for about half an hour after the first event to allow the visiting dignitaries to speak and congratulate the club on our return to activities. Many comments were made that reinforced the way the committee handled the sometimes difficult, time consuming and expensive down time period since closure in May 2016.

All club members can be assured that their committee has attempted and succeeded in ‘ticking all the boxes’ in our dealings with all the various authorities over the last 12 months. The best interest of the club and its ongoing viability has always been of the highest priority in all decisions made in this regard.

At present, the club has received interim approval to resume both DTL (grounds 2 & 3) & 5 stand sporting clays from the EPA. The club will be issued with an Environmental Management and Clean Up Plans due at the end of August this year. The club remains optimistic that the plans will recognize the unique requirements and nature of gun clubs activities both here in Wangaratta and across the state.

Special thanks must go to the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party for their ongoing and tremendous assistance, support and advice in so many ways. Chief adviser Mr Norman Dunn, has been invaluable in this regard, working closely with Daniel Young MLC. In addition, the club has received valued support from the Rural City of Wangaratta, several Vic. State Government Ministers, their departments and staff.

The ACTA have also provided support to the club, recognizing the environmental situation here and the potential cost saving benefits to other ACTA clubs, as a result from the extensive scientific research being conducted here at the Wangaratta range. Thanks also to Mal Dyson and Judith Kent from the VCTA for their ongoing interest, communication and positive advice at all times. The club appreciated the attendance of Federal Senator Jane Hume MP to fire the official reopening shot at this significant occasion.

Apologies: Cr David Fuller Rural City of Wangaratta, Ian Porter Chief of Staff for The Hon. Lily D'Ambrosio MP Minister for Energy, Environment, Climate Change & Suburban Development, Mike & Dianne Glenister, John King, Cheryl Batagol Chairman EPA Vic., Ken Clarke Mayor of Wangaratta, Shane Bruce Project Coordinator Sport and Recreation Vic., Brendan McGrath CEO Rural City of Wangaratta, Tim McCurdy MP, Tony Turner National Exec. Officer ACTA, Judith Kent State Secretary VCTA, Emily Garnett adviser to The Hon. Lily D'Ambrosio MP Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change & Suburban Development, The Hon. John Eren MP Minister for Tourism, Sport & Veterans, Nate Bartlett Press. North Wangaratta Football Club, Jaime Carroll Rural City of Wangaratta.

Large group of competitors and guests enjoying the day.

Cr Harvey Benton, Brian Reid, Phillip Smith watch on as Daniel Young MLC speaks.

Mal. Dyson, Vice Pres. ACTA Pres. VCTA speaks as Daniel Young MLC and Sen. Jane Hume MP watch on.

Brian Reid is presented with a gift and certificate from The Premier, The Hon. Daniel Andrews by Daniel Young MLC, Shooters Farmers and Fishers Party Vic.

Federal Senator Jane Hume MP fires the official reopening shot, ably assisted by club secretary Angelo Grassi

New Team at the Helm in the Club Kitchen 19 April 2017

The club would like to introduce and welcome Anita Klima and her daughters Joelle & Debra Everingham, who will running the club kitchen. The trio are working behind the scenes, preparing food to ensure members are well fed while at the club rooms. Anita said she first became involved at the gun club through a link with Wangaratta Girl Guides. She has been heavily involved with Wangaratta Girl Guides over the past six years as a leader, district manager and volunteer and it was through Guides that the opportunity to cater at the gun club arose.

Anita takes pride in being able to prepare simple, traditional canteen style-meals. The committee and members would like to welcome both Anita, Joelle & Debra to the club and we look forward to a long and successful partnership with the new team.

Five Stand to Resume April 2017

The club is very pleased to announce that the 5 Stand Sporting Clay competition will be held on Sunday 07 May at 11am and the Down The Line competition will also be held on Saturday 20th May at 11am. Other than skeet, the program for 2017 can be accessed on this website. Skeet will remain closed until further notice.

Practice sessions on Wednesdays and Saturdays to recommence immediately.

It is possible that future interruptions to our activities may occur, depending on the result of the Clean Up Plan currently being prepared by CDM Smith Consulting.

All shoot programs are subject to change at the committees discretion.

Mackintosh Team Selected for 2018 World DTL Champs April 2017

Two Wangaratta Gun Club members made the 2017 Mackintosh Team to compete in the 2018 World DTL Championships , see full list below, including Daryl Hunt B Team Vets and Allan Cooper B Team Super Vets.

Also Anton Motha took out the grade C overall Champion, not bad from a Wangaratta member who has only been shooting a year. Well done Anton.

An additional factor to take into account is that these members home ground has been closed since May 2016, due to an EPA investigation into lead contamination issues. Not a bad effort, considering they have not had access to regular, local practice sessions.

ACTA 2018 WORLD'S TEAMS

Junior - Thomas Armstrong Nathan Burt Mitch Iles

Ladies -Jessica Harris Laura Woolley Tracey Barton

Veterans - Allan Pollock Tony Ryder Arty Del Ben

Super Veterans - Gary Hayden Max Medhurst Fred Heinz

Open - James Willett Steve Atkins Alex Dallas Steve Trembath Socrates Pilipasidis

B & C Juniors

Jackson Marriott Harry Mintram William Freni -Lizzi

Billy Baynes James Hayden Ben Tredea

B & C Ladies

Penny Smith Nanette McCallum Helen Overton

Amanda Holt Kelly Coogan Lil Brandt

B & C Vets

Frazer Roberts Glen Castellaro Greg Cassegian

Darry Hunt Charlie Sherry Kim Nealon

B & C Super Vets

Keith Calder Allan Cooper Keith Simpson

Mal Stephens Rob Andrews Andrew Atalios

B & C Teams

Tommy Turner Andrew Smith Clive Foster Matt Patmore Craig Bentley

Jason Oliveri Cameron Brown Byron Hewitt Richard Morrison Roger Duthie

Glenn Cup

James Willett Steve Atkins Alex Dallas Steve Trembath Socrates Pilipasidi

Welcome Lou Carrington Posted 2017

Lou is a very keen triathlete who thrives on a challenge and competes in many gruelling events across the country.

A member of our club, she has recently taken on the shooting sports as an additional ‘less physical’ activity that she really enjoys. Being super fit, with a positive outlook and quick reflexes, she is guaranteed of achieving her shooting goals in no time at all. Welcome aboard Lou !

Roger Esplin Wins Alf ‘Pikey’ Foster High Gun 17 October 2015

In memory of Alf ‘Pikey’ Foster, Bill Attwood from Melbourne provides a high gun sash each October in memory of his friend Alf Foster. The sash is presented to the winner of the Wangaratta Clay Target Club's October Down the Line shoot.

The Wangaratta Show is held in October each year, coinciding with the DTL shoot on third Saturday of the month. In the past, members of the Showmen's Guild visited the club for some trapshooting whilst they were in the area.

The championship events this year totalled 150 targets, plus a 10 target eye opener. Melbourne AA grade trap shooter Roger Esplin shot brilliantly throughout the day, winning this years High Gun award.

Congratulations to Roger Esplin and thank you to Bill Attwood for providing the sash on an annual basis.

CMPA Corporate Day September 2015

The Wangaratta Clay Target Club conducted a corporate day for members of the Construction Material Processors Association of Victoria (CMPA) in September 2015.

In the photograph, club members Phil Smith and Allan Cooper assist Jacinta Gall from CMPA shooting skeet from on station one.

Access for all Abilities 07 May 2015

On Thursday May 7, The Centre Active Recreation Network (CARN) Access for All Abilities program supported a shooting day hosted by the Wangaratta Clay Target Club, providing an opportunity for people from a Neuro Support Group in the North East a chance to test their skills at clay target shooting.

There were 15 participants in the group, with some who had never used a shotgun before, but before long participants from all ages, backgrounds and abilities were up and ready to have a shot.

Access for All Abilities program coordinator, Kathy Patton said “The Wangaratta Clay Target Club is just fantastic, they support each group we bring to the club giving guidance, safety and instruction, and really encourage our participants in a supportive, safe environment. It’s great to see people who have never done clay target shooting before, build the confidence to get up, have a go, and hit a clay- it’s very rewarding for the individual and the group”.

A lunch was thoroughly enjoyed by members of the group after a morning of shooting, and both the Wangaratta Clay Target Club and The Centre’s CARN were proud to be part of this day which offered accessibility to such a great sport for all to enjoy.

The Access All Abilities program through The Centre CARN provides exciting opportunities for people with a disability to participate in sport and recreation activities within their community, just like this one.

If you have a disability and would like to find out more about the Access All Abilities program through The Centre, contact Kathy Patton on 03 5721 0251 or email: Kathy.patton@thecentre.vic.edu.au . You can also contact the Clay Target Shooting Club by calling Brian Reid on 03 5721 7799.

Alison on Target at State Skeet Carnival January 2015

Wangaratta Clay Target Club member and enthusiastic skeet shooter Alison Harwood put in a top performance at the two day VCTA State Skeet Carnival held in Melbourne in late January this year. Competition was at a high standard as around 100 keen skeet shooters were all trying their best on both days.

Alison is a very regular competitor here at our local club over many years and travels to most of the major skeet events in the area. She has an immense amount of experience in both the technique of the sport and also a full understanding of the rules that apply to skeet shooting.

On Friday 31st January, Alison competed in the 20 gauge State Title and won gold in the ladies section and silver placing herself 2nd in B grade for the entire event. In addition she won gold again in the ladies for the 50 tgt. Handicap event and placed 6th overall. Another gold medal came her way with a terrific performance in the State Shoulder to Shoulder Team with a tally of 138/150.

Over the Friday and Saturday Alison qualified 3rd for the VCTA State Team, to cap off two days of consistent shooting at a very high standard.

Clay Target Shooting a Hit! May 7th, 2014

On Wednesday the 7th May, the Wangaratta Clay Target Club along with The Centre’s CARN (Centre Active Recreation Network) provided a fun filled day for a local rehabilitation group, with participants travelling from as far as Myrtleford, Yarrawonga and Wodonga.

The majority of participants in the group had never been Clay Target Shooting before, let alone used a shot gun. Many from the group had limited use of their arms and legs, but were more than willing to shoot from their wheelchair with the support of members from the clay target club, and what an awesome effort it was by all participants. Some from the group were keen to have a second go and in many cases, hit the clay targets within a couple of shots.

Rob Newman from The Centre’s CARN said “This was one of the biggest groups we have had at Clay Target Shooting, with 18 participants. Each and every person that attended got up and had a go, which is just fantastic, and I’m sure a few from the group would love to come back for another go”

A beautiful lunch prepared by members of the group was enjoyed by all after a morning of shooting and both the Wangaratta Clay Target Club and The Centre’s CARN were proud to be part of this day which offered accessibility to such a great sport for all to enjoy.

The Access All Abilities program through The Centre’s CARN provides exciting opportunities for people with a disability to participate in sport and recreation activities within their community, just like this one.

If you have a disability and would like to find out more about the Access All Abilities programme through The Centre, contact Rob Newman on 5721 0250 or 0427 212 638.

MP Visits Our Club March 2014

Labor Party MP Kaye Darveniza and club representative Brian Reid inspecting the Sporting Clays facilities..

Kaye Daverniza MP visited the club in March 2014 as a follow up visit to check on the outcome and success of the club's new 5 Stand Sporting Clays layout.

The Labor government, in conjunction with the Rural City of Wangaratta, made significant funding available to the club for the establishment of this first rate facility.

Kaye is an enthusiastic supporter of the shooting sports and the club appreciated her recent interest in revisiting our grounds.

Club Donates $500 to Family Published in Wangaratta Chronicle 12 February 2014

APPRECIATED: Brian Reid (left) and Kudri Demaj (right) from the Wangaratta Clay Target Club present a cheque for $500 to Kylie Benton to help her family deal with costs associated with her brother in law Paul Mathes’ medical conditions.

Wangaratta Clay Target Club is the latest community group to help out the Mathes family.

Father of three Paul Mathes is in the Thomas Hogan Rehabilitation Centre after suffering a debilitating stroke, thought to have occurred as a result of the chemotherapy he has been receiving for bowel cancer.

The clay target club donated $500 after reading about Mr Mathes’ situation in the Chronicle. "Even though he is not a member of the gun club we wanted to help out,” club secretary Kudri Demaj said. “We don’t make a lot of money here at the club but this is a worthwhile cause. Hopefully a few other clubs can help out.”

Anyone wanting to make a donation can email Lekbenton4@bigpond.com.au.

Disabled Shooting 18 December 2013

The Wangaratta Clay Target Club once again provided it's grounds, equipment and volunteer helpers to supervise a visit from a group of disabled persons on Wednesday 18 December 2013. The group was organised by Rob Newman from The Centre, Wangaratta - Access for All Abilities Program. The club has hosted several visits over the last few years for similar groups interested in having a go at clay target shooting.

People with acquired brain injury, paraplegic and quadriplegic groups and vision impaired persons have been able to try out the sport with many from each group putting in splendid performances in smashing clays. Clay target shooting is a sport that can be enjoyed by most people and the club welcomes their return at any time.

Thanks to Rob Steel, Brad Sparling, Bruce Henshall and Rob Newman for their expertise and encouragement whilst supervising the enthusiastic group on the day.

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