The Sporting Shooter’s Association of Australia (SSAA) is the largest organisation of its type in the country and exists solely to promote the safe and responsible use of firearms of all types. They also represent legitimate shooters in their quest for fair treatment by governments.
The SSAA has branches in all States and Territories, with many of these branches maintaining shooting ranges and other facilities for all shooters to use. Branches also organise field trips, in partnership with State Government Departments, to remove feral pests from State Forests and other CrownLands.
The SSAA offers a myriad of different shooting disciplines and competitions, to cover most firearm types and shooting styles, many of which can lead to State, National and International representation.
As part of their subscription, members also receive the acclaimed Australian Shooter magazine, and liability insurance cover any time they are shooting, whether hunting or at a range.
The Bendigo Branch of the SSAA offers a wide range of services to all of its members, including discounted use of the Marong Rifle Range, participation in hunting trips, (weekly fox drives during winter) and the option of taking part in competitive shoots. The Branch runs monthly meetings to advise members of recent news, and to give them the chance to have their say in the direction of the Branch’s activities. The Branch website has both event and competition calendars to download.
Safety And Family Firearms Education (SAFFE) Bookings Essential
The Bendigo Branch runs open days for anyone interested in trying the shooting sports, but who aren’t yet licensed. Club firearms and ammunition are provided for a $12.00 fee, along with coaching and safety training from qualified instructors. SAFFE is held on the 2nd Sunday of each Month from 9.45am. at the Marong Rifle Range. (Please note.. the Fee can change without notice due to the fluctuating price of Ammunition.)
The Marong Rifle Range is open to both members and the general public, with General Shooting on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month, at 12.00pm. It is always safely controlled by friendly, qualified Range Officers.
The Range offers a covered firing line with 24 benches, all of which are movable to allow for positional shooting i.e.: standing, sitting etc. Rifles of all types are welcome, from Air rifles to Big Game rifles. Target frames can be placed at 25, 50, 100, 150 or 200mtrs, and Rimfire Metallic Silhouettes stands extend out to 200m. A wide selection of targets are available on site, from fun plinking targets, to specialised competition or sighting in formats.
Shotgun facilities can be set up on any of these days for practice or competition.
Schools Program thrives in Bendigo
The big school bus draws to a halt in a cloud of dust; the road into the Range hasn’t seen rain for a few weeks now. The peaceful country setting is hit by an explosion of young excited voices as 25 Year 10 students quickly unload from the bus in a manoeuvre reminiscent of paratroopers over a drop zone. There’s no time to muck around, the bus leaves in an hour, and there is lots of shooting to be done!
These students from Bendigo South East College know that they have been fortunate, this course attracted three times the amount of applicants that could be accommodated, and they have made the final list. This brings with it an added responsibility though. Any playing up here, or at school, and they could lose their spot. Now that is a punishment!
This is the fourth consecutive year that SSAA Bendigo has been running this program, and the Club members who volunteer their time as instructors have the system pretty well worked out. The students file past the sign-in books, each recording their attendance, grab their ear muffs, safety glasses, and a Day Sheet and head over to the briefing area to find out which skills of shooting they will be working on today.
After a safety briefing, the students quickly take position on the firing line, some have already developed a good working relationship with particular instructors, and try to get the bench supervised by their favourite, resulting in some tactical jostling. The “Range Clear” command is given, and the Course of Fire for the day begins, usually a bit nervously, but soon they realise that today’s shooting requirements are just one increment along from last week’s, and that they are ready to try the new challenges. The instructors earn their keep here, as student’s newly revealed physical limitations create unique problems needing resourceful solutions, with some inventiveness thrown in.
This is where it becomes interesting, as previously mid-range performing students either adapt quicker, or find a natural aptitude for the new level of difficulty, and go from feeling less than confident, to becoming the new class leaders, enjoying the pride and satisfaction that the new standings provide. This phenomenon has been witnessed many times, but it still pleases the instructors to see the changes in a student, as their attention to instruction and self-discipline are rewarded.
The day’s program continues, with most coming to grips with the new challenges. Those who are naturally competitive are already looking over the completed targets, while others use their down-time to chat with the instructors. Mark and Len, the two Police Officers from the RFO’s office who also instruct, are always good for a story or two, and enjoy the chance to interact with these students as friends and mentors.
As the session draws to a close, the usual last minute panic has students trying to complete the Day Sheet questions, while also scoring targets, and packing up the range gear. They don’t want to miss the debriefing and presentation, so they assemble to hear the results of the day, and applaud loudly as the high scorers are announced. They seem genuinely pleased for the winners (or maybe the drama classes are paying off), as they finish the pack-up and rush to retrieve their bags/caps/jumpers etc. The final word with instructors is interrupted by the sound of the bus, and as John the teacher, and Scotty the bus driver try to round up the class, every instructor is thanked, and goodbyes are said with the sincerity and conviction of a gangly kid becoming a young adult.
The bus winds its way back up the range road, everyone aboard comparing stories of missed shots and new experiences, with plenty of sledging for the teacher, who also does the shooting program.
At the range the quiet has returned, the dust has settled, and the instructors slowly return to the range office and take a seat. They quietly look at each other knowing the others’ thoughts. With great kids like these being encouraged by their school to learn shooting, maybe our sport has a chance.