SSAA Adelaide Target Shooters

South Australia Club Profile

Adelaide Target Shooters began back in 1970, when a small group of keen shooters sought to establish a range on the southern side of Adelaide. The original members included such Adelaide notables as Jack Conquest, Jack Mansfield, Syd Miller, Bob Sharrard and Ray Stone. Ray was a keen shooter with a pilot’s licence, so he hired a Cessna and flew up and down the coast looking for a suitable area.

One was located in a stone quarry at Reynella, and the rent was set at one bottle of scotch whisky for the landowner. ATS was formed and grew to a membership capped at 20 shooters.

Time marched on and a freeway was built through the area close to the range. It was time to move, and in May of 2004 the ATS became a SSAA branch at the Monarto Range complex, south-east of Adelaide. As most of the shooters at ATS were already SSAA members, it was an easy decision for the club to make.

Monthly shoots are conducted on Saturday mornings, with the emphasis on a variety of firearms and events. There are no serious competitions here as the club was always aimed at the social and family side of shooting and firearms use. Events are held for both rimfire and centrefire rifles, shooting for both group and score. They also have simulated field shooting and offhand events. The ATS has a popular ‘run what you brung’ day, which means that shooters have a chance to compete and do some tuning-up as well.

Current ATS President Mike Sutherland says they have 35 members on the books at the moment, including two ladies and three juniors. Membership is open to anyone who is a SSAA member (or wishes to become one), and would like to join a club more attuned to the social side of shooting.

For contact information check the state branch list here.