31st MARCH and 1st APRIL 2018
SWDRA Easter Prize Meeting 2018
Sixty shooters and their families converged on the Coolilup Range over the Easter Long weekend to compete in the SWDRA's annual Easter prize meeting.
The South West DRA's program is considered unique in that three separate competions are conducted simultaneously, with the historic Coolilup Cup being contested over 300, ,500 and 600m on the Friday, the SWDRA Open Championship on Saturday and Sunday, with the Service Rifle Championship straddling the Friday and Saturday shoot to incorporate the 300 - 600m matches.
Clear blue skies blessed the entire weekend and the daily temperatures were ideal for comfort. Each day presented shooters with a steady and strengthening southerly breeze which while predominately from the left, had a tendency to fishtail, ensuring shooters needed to keep a sharp weather-eye out, especially at the longer ranges.
The South West's preparation of the range, with significant assistance from the resident caretaker, Barry Griffiths resulted in a picture perfect sight, with manicured green mounds framing 7 fully furnished electronic targets that had been renovated and proven for accuracy prior to the competition. The result was a smooth running meeting, devoid of any queries or complaints regarding the reliability of the scores gained.
CRO Wayne Oldfield's management of the meeting in general and any issue that arose with equipment failure or a procedural issue was handled in an efficient and totally professional manner.
The Coolilup Cup
The Coolilup Cup is a one-day competition, fired over 300, 500 and 600m.
The winner of the main event, the TR Coolilup Cup was John Moore, taking off the honours for the third time and in this case, for a consecutive win.
Dennis Blechynden took out F Std honours, while Bob Kinnear won the F Open.
F/TR newcomer George Wittorff received the medal for that division.
Service Rifle Championship
Eleven Service Rifle enthusiasts gathered to shoot for the SWDRA's Service Rifle Championship. This competition was over two days with the Day 1's course of fire being over 300, 500 and 600m and Day 2's course consisting of 300, 400, 500 and 600m.
All competitors in this category are passionate about the discipline in general, and their beloved service firearms in particular.
As in past years Busselton's Jack Nixon showed good form, running out overall winner. He was seriously challenged on Day 2 by fellow clubmate Julian Davey, who top scored on the day.
SWDRA Open Prize Meeting
The main event of the weekend, the SWDRA's Open Championship was contested over two days, and over 7 ranges - 300 to 900m.
The standard of the competition was high over Day 1 which consisted of the 'shorts'. Leonora's John Moore, fresh from his win in the Coolilup Cup the previous day was the leading TR shooter, taking the Daily Aggregate honours on a count back from Subiaco's Peter Watkins. Both marksmen scored 197.16.
F Standard top score was achieved by Boddington's Mahlon Reid with a score of 228.11. F Open's Daily Aggregate winner was Brett Bunyan from Boddington, with a score of 236.17 while Bunbury's George Wittorff won the two-man competition in F/TR with a score of 210.7.
Day 2 proved to be more of the same, weather-wise, with a mainly left wind breeze, punctuated with the occasional fishtail.
The daily honours for Day 2 went to Manjimup's Mick Forsberg, who scored 148.20, followed closely by Paul Watkins of Chapman Valley, 6 "V" Bulls behind and Mark Milentis a further 2 "V"s down.
F Std belonged to Subiaco's Cathy Keogh who blitzed the field with a 177.11, seven points clear of second placed Dennis Blechynden.
F Open was won by Brett Bunyan on 177.17, two points clear of Busselton's Brad Day.
F/TR was taken off by Albany's Gavin Hathaway.
When the final results were tallied, the winners were:
Target Rifle: Mick Forsberg 344.36 (Badge No1); Mark Milentis 344.25 (Badge No2); Paul Watkins 341.29 (Badge No3); John Moore 341.27 (Badge No4); Shayne McDonald 337.25 (Badge No5).
F/Std: Cathy Keogh 401.21 (Badge No1); Mahlon Reid (Badge No2)
F Open: Brett Bunyan 413.34 (Badge No1); Bill Hallam (Badge No2).
Two acknowledgements also took place at the presentations.
A gift from the SWDRA was presented to our retiring caretakers of 12 years, Barry and Janelle Griffiths. Barry and Janelle's contribution to the SWDRA over their tenure has been significant. The top class presentation of the range, the condition of the mounds, the excellent relationship we have enjoyed with the DoD and other users of the range are in the main due to their care of our facilities and their ability to communicate and deal with the various organisations and individuals over the years. The presentation was underscored with loud applause.
In addition, Bunbury member George Wittorff was presented with his 50 Years Membership Certificate. Bunbury President and club mate Keith Sadler read a citation which outlined George's significant contribution to the sport over the years.
Sixty shooters and their families converged on the Coolilup Range over the Easter Long weekend to compete in the SWDRA's annual Easter prize meeting.
The South West DRA's program is considered unique in that three separate competions are conducted simultaneously, with the historic Coolilup Cup being contested over 300, ,500 and 600m on the Friday, the SWDRA Open Championship on Saturday and Sunday, with the Service Rifle Championship straddling the Friday and Saturday shoot to incorporate the 300 - 600m matches.
Clear blue skies blessed the entire weekend and the daily temperatures were ideal for comfort. Each day presented shooters with a steady and strengthening southerly breeze which while predominately from the left, had a tendency to fishtail, ensuring shooters needed to keep a sharp weather-eye out, especially at the longer ranges.
The South West's preparation of the range, with significant assistance from the resident caretaker, Barry Griffiths resulted in a picture perfect sight, with manicured green mounds framing 7 fully furnished electronic targets that had been renovated and proven for accuracy prior to the competition. The result was a smooth running meeting, devoid of any queries or complaints regarding the reliability of the scores gained.
CRO Wayne Oldfield's management of the meeting in general and any issue that arose with equipment failure or a procedural issue was handled in an efficient and totally professional manner.
The Coolilup Cup
The Coolilup Cup is a one-day competition, fired over 300, 500 and 600m.
The winner of the main event, the TR Coolilup Cup was John Moore, taking off the honours for the third time and in this case, for a consecutive win.
Dennis Blechynden took out F Std honours, while Bob Kinnear won the F Open.
F/TR newcomer George Wittorff received the medal for that division.
Service Rifle Championship
Eleven Service Rifle enthusiasts gathered to shoot for the SWDRA's Service Rifle Championship. This competition was over two days with the Day 1's course of fire being over 300, 500 and 600m and Day 2's course consisting of 300, 400, 500 and 600m.
All competitors in this category are passionate about the discipline in general, and their beloved service firearms in particular.
As in past years Busselton's Jack Nixon showed good form, running out overall winner. He was seriously challenged on Day 2 by fellow clubmate Julian Davey, who top scored on the day.
SWDRA Open Prize Meeting
The main event of the weekend, the SWDRA's Open Championship was contested over two days, and over 7 ranges - 300 to 900m.
The standard of the competition was high over Day 1 which consisted of the 'shorts'. Leonora's John Moore, fresh from his win in the Coolilup Cup the previous day was the leading TR shooter, taking the Daily Aggregate honours on a count back from Subiaco's Peter Watkins. Both marksmen scored 197.16.
F Standard top score was achieved by Boddington's Mahlon Reid with a score of 228.11. F Open's Daily Aggregate winner was Brett Bunyan from Boddington, with a score of 236.17 while Bunbury's George Wittorff won the two-man competition in F/TR with a score of 210.7.
Day 2 proved to be more of the same, weather-wise, with a mainly left wind breeze, punctuated with the occasional fishtail.
The daily honours for Day 2 went to Manjimup's Mick Forsberg, who scored 148.20, followed closely by Paul Watkins of Chapman Valley, 6 "V" Bulls behind and Mark Milentis a further 2 "V"s down.
F Std belonged to Subiaco's Cathy Keogh who blitzed the field with a 177.11, seven points clear of second placed Dennis Blechynden.
F Open was won by Brett Bunyan on 177.17, two points clear of Busselton's Brad Day.
F/TR was taken off by Albany's Gavin Hathaway.
When the final results were tallied, the winners were:
Target Rifle: Mick Forsberg 344.36 (Badge No1); Mark Milentis 344.25 (Badge No2); Paul Watkins 341.29 (Badge No3); John Moore 341.27 (Badge No4); Shayne McDonald 337.25 (Badge No5).
F/Std: Cathy Keogh 401.21 (Badge No1); Mahlon Reid (Badge No2)
F Open: Brett Bunyan 413.34 (Badge No1); Bill Hallam (Badge No2).
Two acknowledgements also took place at the presentations.
A gift from the SWDRA was presented to our retiring caretakers of 12 years, Barry and Janelle Griffiths. Barry and Janelle's contribution to the SWDRA over their tenure has been significant. The top class presentation of the range, the condition of the mounds, the excellent relationship we have enjoyed with the DoD and other users of the range are in the main due to their care of our facilities and their ability to communicate and deal with the various organisations and individuals over the years. The presentation was underscored with loud applause.
In addition, Bunbury member George Wittorff was presented with his 50 Years Membership Certificate. Bunbury President and club mate Keith Sadler read a citation which outlined George's significant contribution to the sport over the years.