SSAA NQ Tablelands Branch

Queensland Club Profile

A club and range approval, a mound, a set of turning targets, a covered firing line of sorts and a tree are all that existed on the Mareeba Pistol Club in the 1980s.

Back then, meetings were held with the committee members sitting on a lone wooden bench anywhere that would provide protection from the weather. A big night on the range shooting Limited Pistol matches saw up to 15 participants braving either the winter chill or the bugs that heralded the wet season in far north Queensland and the only facility was that tree.

The Mareeba Pistol Club became the first SSAA (Qld) Inc affiliate club in the early 1990s. In 1995, the SSAA NQ Tablelands Branch was formed and incorporated to accommodate the pistol shooters of Mareeba Pistol Club and the many rifle shooters in the region.

Behind these bold moves was a forward-thinking committee, including John Stirrup, John Bombardieri, Jim Plozza and Damion Faith, who wanted more from the shooting sports than simply precision pistol events. The aim was to develop infrastructure, expand range approvals and attract additional members.

The most important piece of infrastructure was to dispense with the services of that tree and build a real set of ablution blocks, if ever the branch was to attract interest and membership from female and junior shooters. An approach to the local Shire Council resulted in a support grant of $5000, which was appropriated to building materials.

With ablution blocks completed, thoughts turned to shooting competitions. That was all very well and good, but there wasn’t even a clubhouse for the members. Interestingly, a call from the council offering an unwanted pensioners’ cottage for removal produced the goods. A few barked knuckles and $1200 later, the cottage was removed and re-sited as the first clubhouse.

A second cottage was later added to the scheme and this provided accommodation for visitors participating in competitions and a place for the children when mum and dad participated in club events. This was not a bad achievement for less than a few thousand dollars and a little effort on the part of a few stalwart members and their wives, who contributed much more than simply cups of tea and cake. Those women worked side by side with the men on the building projects. It is certainly that spirit that builds successful SSAA branches and clubs and makes the entire Association the peak body of the shooting sports.

Years on, Q31, as the branch is fondly known by its members, has grown from strength to strength hosting zone, state and national level competitions. If there is any secret to the success of Q31, it is undoubtedly the consistent leadership provided by successive committees through the years and the hard work of the members.

For more information contact: secretary Wendy Bombardieri on 07 4093 2630 or email bombardieri@qldnet.com.au