| SOME
HISTORY In 1947, there was a great number of returned service men and women living on the Central Coast of NSW who sought to continue their camaraderie after the war years by competing in open air, long-range shooting events. The old Brisbane Waters Rifle Club was reborn as Gosford District Rifle Club and a great deal of construction and development was commenced at the Kariong range. Saturday afternoons became an anticipated social event for all the family as well as a chance to compete over distances up to 700 yards using ex-army .303 calibre rifles and ammunition. A marksman of international reputation and local optometrist named James Sweet became the first club captain and his determination and skills did much to establish an early reputation for the club. Over the past 50 years there have been many Gosford shooters who have upheld the traditions of tenacity and shooting ability in all fields of full-bore rifle shooting in Australia. There has never been a year in the clubs history when it was not represented in the Prize lists of: Kings or Queens competition winners, international or interstate teams members, district championship finals, or inter-club prize shoot trophy winners. When those founding club members scratched the date into the wet cement of the target butts in 1947 they could not have realized the extent to which their tenacity would be tested over the years. Bureacrats, bushfires and vandals have thrown themselves against the resolve of successive club captains and committees achieving only the most temporary of disruptions to the continuous running of the club competitions. Even dynamite and intrigue at the highest levels of state parliament could not put a stop to the friendly determination of Saturday afternoon shooters to enjoy the challenges of their chosen sport and these afternoon shoots continue today. The club welcomes visitors to the range. Bring your family to have a look. For further details please
contact one of the committee members: *Full-bore rifle shooting is one of Australia's oldest sports and when the Victorian Rifle Association was formed in 1860 it was the first sporting association in the country. This means that target shooting is an older sport in Australia than cricket, football, tennis or tiddly-winks. *Target shooting is an extrememly safe sport. No civilian member of any full-bore rifle club in Australia has ever been accidentally shot. Not in over 120 years. *Women shoot the same competition as men in all Australian rifle clubs on completely equal terms. [although this is not always seen as such a good thing if your wife turns out to be a much better shot than you are!] *Age is no barrier. Our oldest active member is 87 years young and some of the best marksmen in the country are well into their seventies. Technique and experience are more important in this sport than strength and fitness. *Kariong rifle range is situated within the borders of Brisbane Water National Park facing Mt. Kariong which is 251m high and overlooks the valley towards Piles Creek and Girrakool. Around 40% of the range is covered by native heath and shrubs of such diversity that at any time of the year there is always something in flower. It is a beautiful place to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon. *Over the years the Gosford Rifle Club has allowed other shooting clubs to share the range with the result that there now exists a Kariong Shooting Complex consisting of six different clubs and facilities. Something for almost everyone! *The shooting complex covers an area of approximately 160 hectares, including its safety zone and is open for use to many organizations such as the bushfire services, police, security services, scouts, army personnel and school cadets. It is truly an egalitarian, multifunction facility. Visitors are always welcome. GRAHAM SILVER |