SSAA Imbil Branch Inc

Queensland Club Profile

In the early 1980s members of Gympie saw the need to continue the Gympie Rifle Range. It was decided to look around Imbil for a suitable sight. On investigation an area just 2km from Imbil Township on the Borumba Dam Road was chosen. Letters of application were submitted to the Department of Forestry for an area known locally as the Wallaby Paddock. The ground consisted of scrub eucalypt and was used only for the collection of firewood. However, it was right in the middle of a working state forest.

The application was repeatedly denied. After exhausting all other avenues Mark Zillman, the first secretary, approached the Minister for Lands, Forestry and Police. With range plans drawn up and no objection from the Department of Defence, the Minister gave his approval on June 7, 1985.

All was going well until the early 1990s when it was decided that an area encompassing part of the range would be used to build a timber mill. Once again money, time and hours of labour were required to move shooting ranges and the actual clubhouse. The hard work and diligence of members such as Steve Leat and Robert Farrell are the reasons Imbil has persevered through all its difficulties.

Imbil is a small picturesque community within the Cooloola (Gympie) Shire with many local attractions. The Mary Valley Rattler makes the journey from Gympie to Imbil every Sunday and Borumba Dam, Deer Park and Imbil Forest Drive are just past the range’s doorstep.

As the range is in a working state forest, shooting activities are restricted to Saturdays and Sundays. The range has an open day the fourth Saturday of each month for anyone who would like to sight in a firearm or just practice. The disciplines shot include service rifle and rook and rabbit on the first Sunday of each month, field rifle on the second Sunday and silhouette rimfire and centrefire on the third. Lever action and black powder are shot on occasion.

For more information contact: 07 5484 5449.