SSAA Springsure Branch Inc
Queensland Club Profile
The town of Springsure is situated some 65km south of Emerald in Queensland. Not far out of town is the Springsure range, which, thanks to the efforts of a dedicated group of shooters, is known throughout Australia for producing both excellent shoots and shooters.
The club started about 35 years ago, and was officially opened on Anzac Day 1970. Albert and Arthur Zahl, Paul and Ken Sullivan, Irv Marshall and Dave Younger were the original members, and set the standard for competition and casual shooting upon this range. As word of this spread, the membership increased.
Today, the Springsure club has 55 active members. Numerous SSAA disciplines are contested, including Metallic Silhouette Rimfire, Field Rifle Centrefire and Rimfire, Centrefire and Rimfire Benchrest and both Centrefire and Rimfire Hunter Class.
The Queensland Hunter Class state championships have been held at Springsure and the National championships on two occasions. The Queensland regional championships for light and heavy varmint benchrest rifles have been held there since 1979.
In 1993, the Australian Supershoot for light and heavy varmint benchrest rifles was reinstated after many years, and Springsure made a successful bid for the running of this event. Thanks to the efforts of the locals, the Supershoot was again awarded to Springsure in 1994, 1998 and 2000.
Local shooters Gavin Marshall and Paul Sullivan have travelled throughout Australia competing in benchrest events, and both have represented Australia overseas at World Championships.
At the moment, Springsure has 16 benches on the firing line, with plans to extend this to 20. The clubroom has mains power, modern toilets and a kitchen. Showers are available, as many people camp on the range when a big shoot is held. Shooters have been known to travel from all over Australia to some of the larger benchrest shoots, and have found that country hospitality is definitely alive and well at Springsure.
For more information contact: 07 4984 4041.