SSAA Scottsdale Branch

Tasmania Club Profile

The Scottsdale range is situated 70km east of Launceston and 3km east of Scottsdale. Set in idyllic surroundings bordered by rural land on one side, bush land on the other, the range is backed by the main road to St Helens and resort areas of the east coast. The range is shared with the TRA fullbore rifle club.

The range section, developed and used by the SSAA, was founded by the late John Hilberts on June 25, 1983. The range was primarily set up for pistol silhouette. John Hilberts moved from mainland Australia to take up a managerial position with a major softwood mill in Scottsdale. He was a keen shooter and initially would travel 250km each shoot day to the Pontville range where SSAA Hobart Pistol Club was well-entrenched with IHMSA pistol events. It was there John, with the help of several dedicated people, formed SSAA Scottsdale. The current President is Roger Davis.

The club was initially formed with 15 members, which climbed to more than 50 until recently. Due to the modernisation of industry in the area and the buy-back, numbers have levelled out to two juniors, seven women and 23 men. It is hoped that holding state and national events will generate further interest within the surrounding area and bring back numbers to its heyday.

In the past, SSAA Scottsdale has been host to three National Silhouette Championships and the State Championships in Field Rifle and 3P. This year Scottsdale will host both the State and National Lever Action Championships on October 23, 24 and 25, 2004.

Currently, the Club is conducting 3P and 2P, field rifle, silhouette rimfire rifle, combined services rifle, and pistol silhouette events. Area police also use the facility when required. Being set in a rural area, shooting is an everyday part of life in the community.

Scottsdale is home to hops, timber, potato, dairyfarming and food processing industries.