SSAA NSW

2 Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. President's Message Merry Christmas... and where did this year go? Right now everyone seems to be saying the same thing… "where did this year go?" Well, experience tells me that a fast year is a good year. From where I sit SSAA NSW has never had a better year. Our membership is growing fast, we are the states' premier shooting organisation. We offer our members more services and more ways to shoot. What's more, our finances are in very good shape and above reproach with the huge international accounting firm Deloitte scrutinising the accounts every year. This year Tilterweira was sold after years of loss making caused by the simple fact that it was a paddock too far. Today there are many hunting opportunities much closer to our big cities and towns. New ranges are getting harder to find as land costs sky rocket and council requirements keep getting tougher. But that means we just have to try harder. Give yourself a pat on the back Why is SSAA NSW so strong? Volunteers! It's our huge band of dedicated volunteers. Every week in every weather… scorching summer days, bone chilling winters, our volunteers give their time to make sure members can enjoy their shooting sports. The SSAA NSW Board, also volunteers', would like to thank every one of you, it's your hard work that keeps building SSAA NSW. Once again, thank you. Musical chairs at SSAA NSW Office This year saw a lot of changes at Head Office with long term staffers Kim and Justine leaving for a new life in the country. The newbies are now in place and we really have a young and talented team to serve our member's needs. Jay Pandya our Communications Manager is doing a top job getting the message out to members and the general public and I must say he is a joy to work with. Well done Jay. Membership Manager Irena Sanda is doing a great job updating and modernising our membership services. Irena's been working on a proposed new electronic system to record attendances which we'll be trialling in a few ranges next year. Also Mitch Newbery is doing a big job managing new range developments and working with the Registry to sort out range issues. Mitch regularly makes presentations to the Board on new range ideas and improvements. Also a big thank you to Ali Newberry, Operations Manager of St Marys Indoor Shooting Centre. This Centre, with its retail and museum is the show piece of indoor shooting ranges in Australia. The NFA keeps rolling along Since the new management team has taken over at The NSW Firearms Registry, SSAA NSW is now enjoying a positive working relationship which benefits all members. The Registry Forum Group I was appointed to meets every quarter. Recently at the Dubbo Forum we were joined by the Deputy Premier and Police Minister Troy Grant. He made it very clear that the NSW Liberal/National Government does not see licenced shooters as a problem, the big issue is illegal guns, take a look at his interview on our website, it says it all. We now have a direct line to the Firearms Registry management and State Government. This will achieve much more than chasing politicians around Parliament House scrounging favours. Other news During the year SSAA National sponsored a State Forum meeting where all states came together to share ideas and look at opportunities. This innovative Forum was driven by SSAA South Australia's President David Handyside. The smaller states really benefited, learning how the larger states operate and the services they offer. As a matter of fact SSAA South Australia liked our Mobile Air Rifle Range so much they bought it. Our new bigger and better Mobile Range will be launched in the New Year. Also in September SSAA Insurance ran a test radio advertising campaign in Sydney to promote the new $25 Insurance offer. Results are being studied to see if this campaign should be rolled out nationally. More good news for SSAA NSW hunters with the launch of the Farmer Assist hunting program. This program will be exclusively for SSAA Members. Also the National Parks & Wildlife Service Supplementary Pest Control Program is going very well and we're very hopeful of it continuing after the three year trial. Tell your non-member friends about the SSAA, members get more from their sport. Any association is only as good as its Board and I would like to thank all the Board Members for their hard work and endless hours spent on Association business. Also a special thanks to Di Melham, Mark Godwin and Richard Drozdowski who just never give up no matter how tough the going gets. So please drive safely over the Christmas break. Have a wonderful time… I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy sporting shooter New Year. Seeya at the range, Paul McNabb President - SSAA (NSW) Inc.

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