Pan Pacific Masters Games - November 2008.
We are again hosting the trapshooting sections (Skeet, Trap & Sporting), of this very successful bi-annual event promoted by Queensland Events, on the 7th, 8th and 9th of November. With an estimated 10,000 entries in 40 different sports it will be a really big week on the Coast. Check the website www.mastersgames.com.au for entry details. Entry forms are also available at the Club.
Nightly entertainment this year will be at the newly completed Gold Coast Entertainment Centre near Jupiters Casino. Entry is free to competitors including the opening night on Saturday the 1st of November. Entries to date are similar to previous years but we do need new competitors. This is not just another shoot guys, but a whole week of entertainment and good fun ! If you're over 30 and still enjoy the finer things of life, do yourself a favour and get your entry in. Entries close on the 1st November and no entries will be accepted on shoot days.
Enquiries should be directed to the Sport Convenor, John Monk at 5597 5554.
The range will be closed to practice on Saturday, the 8th of November.

Special Meeting of Members on 12th July 2008.
The meeting called to consider four constitutional changes proposed by the Management Committee resulted in the following:
Item 1./ Agreed to, after amendment.
Item 2./ Agreed to, after amendment.
Item 3./ Rejected.
Item 4./ Agreed to.

Queensland State Sporting Championship 2007

Gold Coast hosted this event on the 4th & 5th of August over both 5 Stand and Field layouts.
An impressive performance by Noel Lillis saw him take his third State Sporting title in four years.
After the initial 100 targets Noel and Mick Wenzel were locked together and were still equal after a further 25 targets of 5 Stand.
The second round proved the clincher with Noel recording a brilliant 25/25 under great pressure, to retain the title. The Queensland team for the Nationals is Noel Lillis, Jim Johnson and Greg Mitchell.
Thanks to all who supported the event and congratulations to those who were successful.

** See Sporting Captains report on the 'Sporting Page'

Phil is on the mend. 9/07/07
Most would be be aware that popular member and long-time Club supporter, Phil Sorby was recently involved in a serious road accident and spent almost a month in hospital as a result. Good to hear he's on the way to a full recovery and he sent this message last week :
"To the Members of the Gold Coast Clay Target Club.
After a head on collision on the 8th June, a bit over 3 weeks now, I am on the mend.
I can certainly say you don?t want this to happen to any one.
I was lucky that I could swing the truck a bit to the right and save getting lethal injuries.
Even without the fully un-operational air bags I received 6 cracked ribs , a fractured sternum, a split eye lid and contusion on the forehead (know bwayne dammage), and of course a busted knee cap.
I have been one lucky son of a gun and am getting better every minute.
I would like to thank all club members for their phone calls, prayers, well wishes and support.
At present I can shoot with my crutch but not with my gun.
Hopefully it won?t be too far down the track when I can swing my Beretta both ways. (My ribs are a bit ticklish at present).
Once again ? thank you,
Phil and Belinda
Go Camping Nerang "

Pan Pacific Masters Games - November 2006.
If you haven't already heard, we are again hosting the trapshooting sections (Skeet, Trap & Sporting), of this very successful bi-annual event promoted by Queensland Events, on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of November. With an estimated 10,000 entries in 40 different sports it will be a real rockin' week on the Coast. Check the website www.mastersgames.com.au for entry details and the nightly entertainment on at the Games Village at Southport. Entry is free to competitors including the opening night "Buddy Holly Show" on Saturday the 4th November. A number of Kiwis that have attended previously are coming again this year. Although shooting entries at this stage are similar to previous years, the number of Club members who have entered is down. This is not just another shoot guys, but a whole week of entertainment and good fun ! If you're over 30 and still like to enjoy the finer things of life, do yourself a favour and get your entry in. Entries close on the 1st November and no entries will be accepted on shoot days. The range will also be closed for practice on Saturday 4th November.

Improvements to Club Grounds - September 2006.
Regulars would be aware of recent additions to shooting grounds. Concrete pathways now lead to all layouts from the Clubhouse veranda to provide all-weather access for both wheelchairs and pedestrians alike. The pathways were made possible by a grant from the Queensland Government's Gambling Community Benefit Fund and we are extremely grateful to the State Government for this financial assistance, demonstrating an interest in the Club and for the future of the sport. Currently, landscaping and repairs to bare areas on layouts is in progress and will be completed by mid September. This work should cause little interruption to range users and scheduled events during that time. However, we do ask you to keep off the grass where possible, particularly re-sown and top dressed areas, and use pathways and lanes to access the shooting points.

Annual General Meeting - 25th March 2006.
Members are advised that this important Meeting will be held on Saturday the 25th March.
The present Management Committee will retire and an election held for a new Management Committee.
Day to day operations and decisions regarding the future direction of the Club will then rest with the newly elected Management Committee, for a period of twelve months.
There are vacancies this year because a "short" Committee already exists and some of the present Committee have indicated they will not be seeking re-election.
If you are interested in serving your Club, please contact the Secretary .
It is a very rewarding experience and the future of the Club depends on an active participation by members in areas other than their attendances on shoot and practice days!

Record number at Christmas Shoot - December 2005.
The largest number of shooters attending a Gold Coast Christmas shoot was well and truly eclipsed this year. Although attendance numbers have been on the increase in recent years since the Club switched to a social non-competitive format, management were stunned when 146 members and visitors plus families turned up for our Christmas celebrations.
Almost 200 chicken and ham lunches were served and 86 squads of Trap, Skeet and Sporting put through during the day.
Shooters were rewarded with a Christmas ham no matter how badly they shot !
Special thanks to Ilian, Elva, Caroline and all the ladies who assisted with catering and other kitchen tasks on a very warm day. The Committee and helpers are to be congratulated for running a very entertaining and highly successful day.

National Skeet Championships - November 2005.
A determined bunch of Queenslanders headed for the Cecil Park Club in Sydney in mid November seeking fame and fortune at the National Titles. Some were successful and others were not but at all times the Queensland teams remained focused and were a credit to the State.
Although unsuccessful in the individual team competitions (two seconds), Queensland clearly won the "Best Presented State" award and outshone all other States in their colorful co-ordinated uniforms and shooting jackets.
Your correspondent selected Craig O'Neill of Brisbane during the State Titles as a likely Nationals winner and Craig duly saluted with the National Overall High Gun Title (440/450). Along the way Craig also collected the National 20ga Overall Title (the only 100/100), first in AA in the National Skeet Doubles Championship and second in AA in the ACTA Skeet Championship.
Nick Aird did best of the Gold Coasters to finish only two targets behind Craig for Overall High Gun. Nick took out A grade High Gun (438/450), overall in the Commonwealth Skeet Championship (114/114), first in A grade in both the National 20ga Skeet Championship and All States Skeet Championship, second in A in the ACTA Skeet Championship and third in AA in the National Skeet Doubles Championship.
Dave Dundon took second in AA in the National 20ga Skeet Championship and Neal Dimmick won the Veterans section of the National Skeet Championship.
The National Skeet Championships were overseen by John Mack, ACTA Queensland, and Andy Sanders, ACTA Executive Officer.
Congratulations to the winners and placegetters from all States and a special thanks to the crew of Queenslanders who were always first on the grounds to assist in setting up and getting things started on time.

Queensland State Skeet Championships - September 2005.
Wild, windy weather greeted competitors for the first two days of the Championships at the Gold Coast but finally settled down to a light westerly on the final day to allow scores to almost return to normal !
Craig O'Neill of Brisbane took out the State Championship and following on his recent successes in New Zealand and NSW should continue that good form for Queensland into the Nationals in November .
Club members who qualified for State representation were.... Open Team - Nick Aird and Dave Dundon....Ladies Team - Debbie Young....Veterans Team - Neal Dimmick, Bill Turner and Tony Edgar. Congratulations to those members who were successful during the Championships and thanks to all the others who had the courage to turn up and compete in atrocious conditions.
"Queenslander!"

Gold Coast Trap Carnival - August 2005.
No less than 22 clubs were represented this year from all the eastern mainland states and Tasmania.
95 competitors took part during the weekend and again it was the visitors that made this shoot the resounding success that it turned out to be.
Major event winners were.... Queensland State Night Pointscore Championship : John Maxwell, Maryborough - Gold Coast 100 D/B Championship : Matt Patmore, Yass - George Sckaf Pointscore Championship : Dexter Barnes, Frankston - Pacific Coast S/B Championship : John Maxwell, Maryborough - Tenderplus Continental Pointscore Championship : Colin Witt, Gold Coast.
Carnival High Gun winners were : Overall - Colin Witt, Gold Coast : AA Grade - Dexter Barnes, Frankston : A Grade - Bernie Scanlon, Wonthaggi : B Grade - Daniel Galea, Frankston : C Grade - Sam Nicifora, Redcliffe : Ladies - Laetisha Scanlon, Wonthaggi : Veteran - Tom Harris, Tumut : Junior - Leigh Szabo, Gold Coast.
The Committee sincerely thanks the following for their sponsorship of the Carnival.... Palazzo Versace ; G & N Guns ; Tenderplus ; Nerang Camping & Disposals ; Southport Hydraulics ; Sratco ; Queensland Tools & Machinery ; Steve Laffey ; Arthur Page and Gael & Colin Witt.
We'll be there to do it all again next year !

Gold Coast Skeet Carnival - July 2005.
Another highly successfull Carnival with over 50 competitors taking part on each of the two main days.
Visitors contributed greatly to the success of the shoot and came from Tasmania, Townsville, Toowoomba, Tamworth, Tumut, Sydney, Coffs Harbour, Sunshine Coast, Roma, Moree and Brisbane.
Red scores were the order of the weekend with clear and still conditions prevailing.
Harry Bader from Brisbane took overall High Gun with 252/255, but he was pushed all weekend by at least five other shooters.
Although a possible eluded everyone in the main 100 target event, six shooters finished with 99/100 and following an exciting shoot-off, Neal Dimmick emerged as the victor.
Mention needs to made of the fantastic effort by the Szabo family in keeping everyone well fed all weekend and also the help received from Harry Baders girls, who did everything from scoring to selling raffle tickets.
It's great to see total family involvement in the sport!

New Koreelah Sporting- May 2005.
A large contingent of Gold Coasters supported Toowoomba Gun Clubs new "Koreelah" Sporting Clays Shoot at SSAA's Milmerran Complex over the last weekend in May. The event attracted 150 sporting enthusiasts from southern Queensland and northern NSW and despite sub-zero overnight temperatures and cold clear days, a good time was had by all.
Members included Ron and Nathan Krebs, James and Alister Broomhead, Jim Johnson, Arthur Page, Mike Swale, Tony Edgar, Ted Dore, Peter Bell, John Underhill, Mike Murphy, Ian Bateman and Darby Munro.
Overall winner was Damien Birgan with a score of 147/150 that included a magnificent 50 straight on the Sunday.
Our Club supplied the winners of the Junior High Gun (Alister Broomhead) and the Veteran High Gun (Tony Edgar), book-ending the age spectrum and Ron Krebs, Jim Johnson and Arthur Page also shared in some of the weekend booty.
Two huge efforts by Jim Johnson and Al Broomhead, resulted in perfect rounds of 25 straight to win coveted Koreelah "25 Break" caps.
Toowoomba Gun Club and their willing band of workers are to be congratulated for what was a perfectly run shoot on an excellent course.
We can't wait for next year to come around !

Perth Trap Nationals - April 2005.
For the first time since Roma in 1999 the Nationals were held away from Wagga Wagga and Whiteman Park in Perth was the 2005 venue.They were last held there in 1998 and a small but persistant band of Gold Coasters left their mark in WA on that occasion.This time a much bigger band of travellers tried very hard to leave a memento of our visit.
Congratulations to Kevin Jarrick who got to bring home two mementos - the first being an Australian McIntosh Team Badge and the second, a badly scratched Beretta following its unfortunate slip off his shoulder onto the concrete on Lane 3 on Layout 1. We applaud the first effort however with so much sand everywhere it takes a certain skill to drop your gun on concrete and we did feel sorry for this unfortunate mishap.
The Gold Coast crew made up a good percentage of the 40 or 50 Queenslanders who took one of the longest domestic plane flights known to compete on the other side of this great country. They say shooters are a crazy bunch as some of them even drove over, now that is tops.
Our Michael Swale Jnr. won B grade in the 65th National "Champion of Champions" event and that was a great feat.(John Mack didn't know his gun was that good). Apart from that Gold Coasters were not prominent in the winners circle although several of them shot well and were there to cheer on fellow Queenslanders who did rise to the occasion.
Congratulation to Bruce Powell from Springsure for his overall win in the Double Barrel and AA in the Single Barrel Championships. Lil Brandt (nee Jarvis) from Rocky certainly didn't disappoint and picked up the ladies Single Barrel, first in the ladies McIntosh Team, Team Highgun and ladies Overall High Gun. Holly Wilson from Roma was successful in the Aust and NZ Trap Championship and took out the ladies Overall trophy. Robbie Dunn from the Pioneer Club in Mackay grabbed the veterans Overall in the Double Rise and a number of minor placings.
We didn't get to socialise too much because we were all over Perth in our respective accommodation, some by the sea, some by the Swan river and some near the Casino. One thing I hear is that Gold Coasters will have to work on is their timing of departues and sharing the "designated driver" duties - just ask around to see who the culprits were ?
Finally, what did happen to that hire car Travis ? Must have been sand in the petrol !
Colin Witt.