SSAA Nhulunbuy Branch

Northern Territory Club Profile

Nhulunbuy (or Gove, as it is also known) is a small mining town of about 3500 people in the Northern Territory. It is surrounded by beautiful sandy beaches and the crystal blue waters of the Arafura Sea. The area is known for its fishing, buffalo hunting and Aboriginal arts and crafts. Access is via aeroplane or four-wheel drive and permits are required as the town is on Aboriginal land.

The SSAA Nhulunbuy Range was originally built in the early 1970s, but was devastated by vandals in a fire in 2005. Branch President Grub Stephens said that the fire destroyed all of the branch’s memorabilia and records, meaning many of the details of its history are lost forever.

Since the fire, however, the members have built a new clubhouse and bar, which is 95 per cent complete. The bar area will be called the ‘Joe Potosky Pavillon’ named after the man who runs a US news website for gun enthusiasts. Joe heard of the fire, wrote a story about it and provided the branch with some financial assistance to help rebuild it.

The Nhulunbuy Branch grounds include a 300m rifle range, three handgun ranges, a clay target range and a bowhunting range. While certain disciplines are regularly shot at the range, Grub said the 145 members are keen to try anything and everything. “If someone came to the range and wanted to shoot a new discipline, we’d all come and give it a try too.”

The range is situated halfway between the airport and the town. Visitors and potential members are introduced to the range via the mining company’s brochure, the large sign situated prominently near the airport and by word of mouth.

In the past, the Nhulunbuy Branch was host to a few major shooting events including the Northern Territory IPSC Titles. The branch is hoping that when renovations are complete, it will be in a position to run major competitions once again.

Because the mining town’s population is fairly transient, the branch has found it difficult to keep some of its programs running. A few years back, it conducted firearm safety training with the local high school’s Year 11 students. The program was quite successful and Grub says the branch would like to get it back up and running in the near future.

The Nhulunbuy Range is the only shooting range in the area, so a number of groups utilise the space, including four Aboriginal corporations, the Northern Territory Police and the NorForce Squadron.

Access to the area may be tricky, but locals will tell you that the effort is well worth it.

For contact information check the state branch list here.