SSAA NSW

Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. 6 Mobile Range at Coffs Harbour SSAA NSW Coffs Harbour Branch hosted the SSAA NSW Mobile Air Rifle Range at the 4x4 Camping and Caravan Expo on 14 and 15 of June. It was a perfect sunny winter weekend with almost 10,000 people attending over 2 days. The Expo offered visitors an array of caravans, motorhomes, campers, off-roading vehicles and camping gear with industry professionals showing the best of their wares. The Mobile Range was operated by local Branch volunteers overseen by long time Mobile Range volunteers Theo and Graham. There were a few of us having so much fun that we stayed longer and one even stayed all weekend, hey Raymond! A head count of shooters was started on the Saturday morning but it became so busy that somewhere about 60 odd we lost count and never recovered. We estimate well over 300 shooters attended the Range each day and the feedback from the Expo organisers was very encouraging. The Mobile Range, while simple is very well set up; the target system is very fast and efficient and the rifles used are really first class - they are 8 shot PCP air rifles. In the line-up the banter was prolific and the bets were on, from the loser is "cooking dinner" or "washing up" to whose shout it would be if they lost, a whole lot of fun was had by all. Husband verses wives, girlfriend verse boyfriend, mate tackling mate or mum and dad against the kids; I reckon the only disappointment came from those "about to turn 12" who were too young to shoot! Along the way on both days some very impressive groups were shot and some surprising winners revealed. (Well done girls, no washing up!) In an effort to help drum up numbers we had members at the front of the Range explaining what was happening and encouraging some of the shy ones in. It was so rewarding to see their faces afterward. Many of the visitors had never considered holding a firearm let alone shooting one and after one lady shot (who couldn't believe she had done it) Theo was quoted as saying "that's why we love doing this, there's an opinion changed right there". The lady left with a grin from ear to ear, excited and proud all at the same time. We would like to thank Theo and Graham who worked tirelessly and are great ambassadors for the sport, our volunteers who made sure we had as much fun as everyone else, SSAA NSW for making the attendance of the Mobile Range a possibility and lastly for Grimmo Promotions for holding such a great event and generously providing the site. Danny Rosewood Secretary SSAA NSW Coffs Harbour Branch

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