Brian Houlihan (front and centre) takes aim at the Werribee 500 yard range with a determination that third place was his!

A great finish to 2017 and a fantastic beginning to 2018, reports East Central District Rifle Association correspondent: Robert Chaffe:

The rush of Christmas 2017 including the hospitalisation of your correspondent really was a good example of what is known as the silly season but not for the East Central District Rifle Association.

David Wallace Graeme Kerr and Marty Kelly made time to shoot the Victorian Police Long Range Prize shoot and the VRA Long range Prize shoot held on the Wellsford Range at Bendigo on November 25-26 with outstanding success:

First, the VRA Prize shoot shot over 800 and 900 yards, in F standard A grade Grame Kerr took fist place with 175.4, just one point ahead of Marty Kelly in second place with 174.9. It was battle all day where the range score give the best indication staring at 800 Graeme 90.7 ( only 0.3 off a perfect score), Marty 89.7, then at 900 Graeme 85.7 and Marty 85.2.

What a match on the notoriously difficult Bendigo long ranges. David Wallace in in his first year finished in fine style in F Standard B grade winning both 800 yards and the grand aggregate with 88.4(800), 77.2 (900)and a fist place winning 165.6.

The next Day at the Victoria Police Prize shoot of two shoots over 1000 yards David Wallace continued his winning way in F Standard B grade winning both ranges and the Grand Aggregate 52.2 (first place) 50, 55.1 (first Place) and the grand aggregate 157.3 and First Place. Not a bad effort for a shoot who took up long range precision shooting in 2016, his first year. His off-siders Graeme Kerr took second place in the F Class Standard with 54, 54.1, 44 and the Grand Aggregate of 152.1. Marty Kelly shooting F class target Rifle took third place overall and a first place on the second range, his score were 56 58.5 (first place) and 45 for a grand aggregate of 159.7 and third place.

2018 dawned with some relatively mild weather and on January  3 and 10 the ECDRA managed to get two shoots in on Its home range a Violet Town before the extreme weather hit as there is no shooting when such conditions are forecast. Not only did it give those who are keen to get to the prize shoots some serious practice it also allowed other club members to participate and to “milk” the successful shooters of things they learnt.

This mix of very successful shooters who are ready and able to help new and old members improve their shooting and allow them to enjoy their spot just that little bit more. It also gave the members a chance to meet a new member, Dr Bob Irving, as well as rub shoulders with David Black, State and National team member.

The results from January 3 were: Target Rifle: Andrew Braden 45 shots 188.07, Peter Daldy 20 shots,94.07, David Black 20 shots 90.10. F class Standard B grade Brian Houlihan 20 Shots 111.05, Dr Bob Irving 10 shots 54.01. F Class Open Paul Watkins 20 Shots 108.02, F Class Target Rifle Marty Kelly 30 shots 172.012.

The results for January 10 are: Target Rifle – C grade Andrew Braden 15 shots 66.01. F Standard B grade Brian Houlihan 20 shots 111.03, Ross Davis shots 58.02, Andrew Braden 10 shots 27.00, Dr Bob Irving 10 shots 54.02. F Class Open Paul Watkins 20 shots 102.04 . F Class Target Rifle Marty Kelly 25 shots 144.08 and Target Rifle A grade Peter Daldy 20 shots 99.09

Finally, this past weekend saw First Year Shooter Brian Houlihan and Marty Kelly went down Werribee to shoot the No 11 District Prize shoot. What a start to 2018: Marty Kelly won F Class Target Rifle and Brian Houlihan took out 3rd lace in F Standard B grade. The shoot was over 500 yards with two stages to count, the final stage was cancelled due to the forecast bad weather. Marty shot 58.7, 60.6 and an aggregate of 118.13, he won the first and second stages as well as the aggregate. A great effort Marty, one that sets you up for a great 2018; there are rumours that the state team selectors have their eye on Marty for the 2018 State F class target Rifle team. This certainly takes precision shooting to a significantly higher level. It was Brian’s third place that stood out as it was great result for a new shooter, his scores were: F Class Standard B grade 55.1, 58.2 (third place) and an aggregate of 113.3 (third place).

A quick scan down the scores and we see a number of possibles 60.6, 60.7, 90.7 ect. At Open Prize shoot you are on your own, no coach and definitely no external assistance. It is so good to see our local mountain marksmen so successful. This comes at the price of a lot of practice and a willingness to listen to other experienced shooters.

A feature of the ECDRA is the fact that time is taken to share skills, knowledge and experience so the new or old you have the best chance of enjoying the sport of precision shooting. Check the website by teaching for ECDRA and find when the next shoot is on and a real person you can talk to. 2018 is off with a rush and it is the executive committee’s intention to sustain the features of our club and as always strive for the perfect score especially on the difficult ranges like Wellsford at Bendigo. Come along or use the contacts on the website; new shooters are most welcome.

– Robert Chaffe