SSAA NSW

Again, the actions of SSAA members who wrote and visited their local MPs had an impact – this was mentioned in many of our meetings. SSAA NSW continues to work for the reinstatement of State Forest hunting and we are led to believe that it is likely to resume shortly. August SSAA NSW headed to AgQuip in Gunnedah where more than 1,000 people over the 3 days stopped to try shooting at the Mobile Air Rifle Range and many new members signed up on the spot. During the 3 days we were ably assisted by members of SSAA NSW Narrabri Branch and we thank them for their help. September We were hit with the news that some ranges had had their operations suspended, including SSAA NSW Wagga Range – leaving hundreds of local shooters wondering where to go. Fortunately the hard working team at Wagga were straight on to it and are working on getting the range reopened as soon as possible. Other ranges throughout the State have also been affected and SSAA NSW is working to assist the range operators and also liaising with Firearms Registry to work through the various issues. October In October we met with Jacob and Sam Bonfield who were the 50,000th and 50,001st member to join SSAA NSW which was a major goal set in 2012. The SSAA NSW Firearms Museum was renamed in honour of the late Roy Smith with the formalities followed by a very successful Try Shooting Day at the St Marys Indoor Shooting Centre. Again, I would like to thank the many volunteers who assisted more than 600 people to try shooting. Silverdale Range welcomed more than 70 competitors from around the World to compete in the 12th World Benchrest Championships. SSAA NSW also attended a meeting between representatives of the NSW Firearms Registry and a number of shooting bodies in NSW. Various issues were discussed and SSAA NSW looks forward to being part of the working groups established to address specific issues affecting our sport. SSAA NSW members were asked for their feedback through the SSAA NSW Membership Survey – the response was very pleasing. Members were given the opportunity to win free membership for a year by Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. participating. There's an article outlining some of the results and announcing the 10 lucky winners on page 6. November SSAA NSW announced a major new partnership with NPWS to participate in a three year trial which will provide accredited volunteers to assist with the Supplementary Pest Control Program in 12 National Parks. You can find an update on this on page 8. SSAA NSW also participated in a workshop on a proposed new amendment to local planning laws which will introduce a consistent approach to the treatment and approval of shooting ranges across all local councils in NSW. SSAA NSW lodged a submission supporting the proposed amendments and recommending additional measures that should be included to protect all types of existing, as well as new shooting ranges. SSAA NSW also responded to a request for input into the current review of the Firearms Registry. And that brings us to today… Looking ahead into 2014, it's going to be another busy year as we continue to provide a strong voice to represent our members and our sport and work against the introduction of unnecessary restrictions on licensed, law abiding firearm owners. There's also much to look forward to. SHOT Expo will return to Sydney in June, and we'll continue to work on increasing opportunities for our membersto enjoy their chosen sport, whether that be participating in competitions, visiting ranges, hunting or collecting activities. We'll be working with our Branches to increase the number of Try Shooting opportunities available across the State to increase acceptance and understanding of our sport and continue with our membership drive as we press towards our target of 60,000. Our Membership Survey has provided a great deal of information about what our members want out of their Association, and we look forward to continuing to deliver in 2014. On behalf of all the staff at SSAA NSW, I would like to wish you and your families a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. Diana Melham Executive Director 5

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