SSAA Illawarra Branch
New South Wales Club Profile
The Illawarra Branch started life as a group of keen shooters meeting at Tuloch McPhail’s property in West Dapto, a few blokes shooting in a paddock. It was a very social and family-orientated group of people. As word spread and numbers grew, Jim Rook from the Sydney Branch assisted the locals to form the Illawarra SSAA in 1964.
The first committee was made up of local legends. People such as Doug Watchorn, Col Payne, Tuloch McPhail, Les Eccles, Ali Ambes, Campbell Greig, Roy Potter and Ronny Reed. The meetings were held at the Dapto Hotel with the publican, Jack Duggan, being the patron. This was a most satisfying relationship, with Jack providing fuel for thought and staff earning overtime to service the needs of the committee.
By now the first range was deemed to be inadequate for the needs of the growing membership and a second range was acquired. Voluntary work commenced to build the six benches out to 200 yards. This range was officially opened by Jim Rook with his .22 Varminter.
It was not long before a third range was sought and land was leased from Jack Hayes. The land was ideal but there were two small hitches - a large creek and no road. The angel of sporting shooters must have been looking out for this dedicated band of people. Through what can only be deemed a miracle, four lamp posts and many boards appeared near the creek. Construction of the bridge began.
The facilities at the range grew to include 12 benches, barbecue facilities, and to entice the ladies to partake in this sport, amenities were built. Trees were fine for the males of the club, but the fairer sex did require a little more privacy. Remember, that was in the days when families did things together!
The club was strong in membership, funds, sport, talent and social activities for entire families. Many semi-formal social gatherings were held at the Master Builders Club in Wollongong, the only venue large enough to accommodate the number of shooters wishing to attend. Our current National President, Bill Shelton, was a regular at these gatherings.
The club had facilities to enjoy shooting in all disciplines - turning targets for pistols, rimfire, muzzle loading, lever action and shotgun.
During this peak period of the club, several female members, including Margaret Lowry, Jan Payne, Anne Watchorn, Rosemarie Ambs and Marie Greig, to name but a few, provided all the refreshments in the after-competition socials. These women not only competed, but supervised children and husbands while cooking up a storm. A truly amazing bunch of sporting shooters!
The range functioned magnificently until 1982, when range facilities were lost to urban development.
The branch was eventually absorbed by NSW.
The dedication of this band of shooters, having built not one, but three ranges through donated and bought material, was so strong that it was only a matter of time before interest grew and the Illawarra Branch of the SSAA was once again functional.
After a sluggish start, the Illawarra Branch of the SSAA is currently the third-largest branch in the state, beaten only by Sydney and Newcastle.
For contact information check the state branch list here.