SSAA Bracknell Branch

Tasmania Club Profile

The Bracknell Branch is located just outside the small township of Bracknell in the central north of Tasmania. The Branch was established on October 18, 1975, in Campbell Town on the Midlands Highway, roughly halfway between Hobart and Launceston. Barrie Tattersall was the driving force behind its formation, having established the need for a branch devoted to the north of Tasmania. Eleven members were present at the inaugural meeting, with Elliott Jordon nominated as President. The Branch at the time was known as the Northern Branch of SSAA (Tas).

Bracknell’s current President is Royce Woodward and present membership stands at 417 members - including a considerable number of juniors and women. While regular recruiting programs are not held, the branch actively promotes family involvement and experienced members are always present to guide and provide coaching to new members and juniors.

Bracknell is a branch that prides itself on being family-orientated and emphasis is placed on enjoyment rather than fierce competition. The Branch endeavours to shoot events that members enjoy, not dictate what they think members should be shooting. Disciplines include field rifle (.22 and centrefire), .22 metallic silhouette, 3 positional, 2 positional, BR30, hunterclass benchrest, sporting silhouettes, as well as sporting clays and tower and field shotgun. The Branch also has a DTL layout.

Facilities available at the Branch include a clubhouse, amenities block, range layouts, benches and barbecue facilities.

One of the major achievements of the Bracknell Branch was the resurrection of shotgun shooting within SSAA, which resulted in the successful staging of the National Shotgun Championships in 1978 and 1979. In late January, 1978, the Branch sent delegates to the National AGM (annual general meeting), who returned with permission for the National Shotgun Championships to go ahead, to be held later that year. By the time the Championships were held in November, the Branch had acquired a range, built a clubhouse and constructed a sporting clay layout - as well as having installed a tower and pads. The Bracknell Branch was born.

All was achieved by the hard work of the members, and understanding and tolerance from partners and families.

Without the dedication of the members, the branch and facilities at Bracknell would not exist today. This ranks as the greatest achievement of the Branch to-date. The ‘roll up your sleeves and let’s do it’ attitude that still exists today and ensures the Bracknell’s continued development and support.

SSAA Bracknell facilitates the annual Rural Youth shooting titles, which is keenly contested by the Rural Youth Organisations across the north of the State. The Branch is also an active participant in the Adopt-A-Highway Clean-up program.

For more information contact: 03 63937093.