SSAA Rockhampton Branch Inc

Queensland Club Profile

The SSAA Rockhampton Branch is located between two coastal resort towns, Yeppoon and Emu Park. The Branch’s greatest accomplishment to date is purchasing its leased land. It has enjoyed tremendous support from its membership and no shortfall in payments has ever occurred, even during the wettest months. Sound financial planning has allowed facilities to be improved while meeting land repayments.

Since 1996 membership has hovered at about 350 members, including 60 women and 30 juniors (mostly girls). Active recruitment offsets inevitable membership losses, with new shooters joining monthly. Last year’s Open Day welcomed more than 300 visitors, many of whom became new members, and a listing in the Yellow Pages has proved very helpful in bringing attention to the club.

Two fully accredited instructor/assessors, two professional instructors and 40-plus accredited active range officers make sure members and visitors are well versed in firearm safety. Several grants and ample membership involvement has seen the entire complex virtually rebuilt during the past three years. Improved toilets, comfortable shade and seating areas encourage greater female participation.

The 300-metre rifle range features a covered firing line, 14 concrete benches, 15 field-rifle posts, three sets of C/F rifle silhouettes and five bays of the rimfire variety. A separate 200-metre pistol range caters to all the club’s pistol competitions. A 12-station simulated field shotgun course meanders through beautiful bushland. A separate rendezvous area is under development. The monthly program includes ten rifle, ten pistol, one shotgun and two multi-gun events.

Organised weekday practice and voluntary range maintenance assists range security. Links with neighbouring clubs are encouraged.

About 260 copies of a 12-page newsletter are posted every two months, the cost of which is offset by stronger participation. The newsletter helps retain members who can’t attend meetings and/or competitions.

Active management committees have improved the lot. A policy of infrastructure development, road-access improvement and skill development (ie, range officers) has been temporarily put ahead of attempts to run major competitions.

For more information contact: 07 4922 2847.