SSAA Whyalla Branch

South Australia Club Profile

The SSAA Whyalla Branch is located on the Lincoln Highway on the outskirts of Whyalla, South Australia. Currently, the club is made up of a small but dedicated group of about 25 shooters who participate in air rifle, field rifle and 3 positional, lever action open, lever action classic calibre, rimfire metallic silhouette, benchrest, black powder pistol and western action disciplines. The range is open to members on Saturday afternoons, Sunday mornings and occasionally Sunday afternoons. As well as being home to SSAA members, the Whyalla range is also frequented by both air and naval cadets.

The Branch was founded in 1973 and was used mainly for sighting in hunting rifles but it wasn’t long before a bench was constructed and a 200-yard range marked out. Regular competitions now take place on the enclosed firing line, which accommodates 18 shooting positions.

In 1997, a separate 100-metre shooting range was added to the site to cater for rimfire metallic silhouette competitions. At present, this range is closed in order to construct a 500-metre range for centrefire metallic silhouette events.

The Whyalla Branch has been host to the national lever action titles, black powder titles and state field rifle and 3P championships in the past and will host the state lever action championships next year.

Recently, BHP, owners of the land on which the club sits, proposed to return it to the South Australian Government. Along with the Whyalla Branch, the three other shooting clubs in the area, big bore, shotgun and pistol, requested that the SA Government transfer the land to them following BHP’s divestment. The newly formed ‘association’ now jointly holds the land, which totals about 620 acres, on a perpetual lease.

The club, led by president Nelda Dodd, encourages and welcomes visitors any time.

For more information contact: secretary on 0412 810 010 or email hipower22@hotmail.com