SSAA NSW

Getting to know Coffs Harbour's Gary Hunt NSW Shooter: When did you first handle a firearm? Gary: I was about 8 years old on my grandparent's farm. My dad and one of my uncles took me out behind the farmhouse and showed me how to handle the firearm. Then they gave me a few shots of the .22 shooting at the empty bullet box (in those days the boxes used to have a target printed on the inside). NSW Shooter: What was the first lesson you learned about using firearms? NSW Shooter: Jumping back to Benchrest - you represented Australia. What can you tell us about that? Gary: In 1997, after many years of practice rounds and top class competition, I was selected as one of twelve Australian shooters to travel to the United States and compete in the World Championships. Ross Donnelly and Peter Fleming also from Coffs Harbour had also qualified. The competition was held in Phoenix, Arizona, and I ended up placing 6th in light gun and 24th in two gun. Gary: Always treat the NSW Shooter: firearm as loaded, even if you know it's not. You have also been instrumental in setting up the Bananacoast event in Coffs Harbour. NSW Shooter: What was your first gun? Gary: My first rifle was a Vostock .22 and a SMLE 303 converted to a Hornet which I used for my early pig shooting. NSW Shooter: What is your favourite discipline? Gary: I love shooting Centrefire Benchrest. When I started shooting the larger rifles I still enjoyed the challenge of getting the best accuracy out of my rifle that I possibly could. NSW Shooter: What about hunting? Gary - I still hunt today on the same property that my brothers and I were shooting pigs and foxes on in 1970. My greatest enjoyment about hunting is the friendships I've formed while sitting around the fire at the end of the day. But it's also very gratifying to know that we are helping our friends with feral animal control. Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. Gary: The Bananacoast started in 1981 as the Coffs Harbour Invitational, and as we had only five benches, it really was by invitation only. Since the early years guys like Ross Challinor, Rob Hamilton, Joe Garrett and John Radford the event continued to grow and the 2013 event was booked out two months in advance. Peter Nesbitt, Rob Hamilton and myself all competed in 1981 and will be in the field again this year. NSW Shooter: What can SSAA NSW do to encourage more people to get involved in the shooting sports? Gary: Each and every shooter should take the responsibility of introducing our friends and acquaintances to the sport. Take them out to the Range and show them around and help them fill out the required paperwork if they need some assistance. 13

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