SSAA Bendigo Branch

Victoria Club Profile

Thanks to a group of Victorians with a vision, the SSAA Bendigo Branch was formed in April 1970. For many years, regular meetings were held on the first Tuesday of each month at the Small Bore Rifle Club at the Garden Gully Reserve, Ironbark.

After a period of time, a small but dedicated and enthusiastic group of shooters began shooting at the Marong Rifle Club Range, where they took part in a mixture of .22LR, centrefire and shotgun shooting.

With time, the shoots grew to a point where the range was used mostly by members of the SSAA. Eventually, the Marong Rifle Club ceased to exist and the upkeep and operation of the range was undertaken by the SSAA. During that time, a number of changes were made - part of the firing line received cover, a clubhouse was built and other improvements were made as needed.

Today, due to legislative changes, the range has changed considerably. Deemed partially unsuitable by the range inspector for some SSAA disciplines, the Bendigo Branch was forced to carry out massive renovations.

One of the club’s members offered to do the earthworks at a reduced fee, which was the catalyst needed to put all the plans into action. Without the kind donation of many thousands of dollars worth of labour and such by Reads Earthmoving Contractors, the Branch would have fallen well short of the required funds for the upgrade. The members of the Bendigo Branch would like to publicly thank Doug and Bill Read, as well as their staff, for the excellent job that they did on the earthworks. To the many other benefactors that were involved in the reconstruction, the Branch also extends its sincerest gratitude.

The Bendigo Branch Range at Marong is open on the first and third Sunday of every month for general shooting and on the fourth Sunday between March and November the range is open for black powder shooting. Competitions are also held during open times.

Disciplines shot include 3P & Field Rifle (both rimfire and centrefire), rimfire silhouette, benchrest and shotgun.

For more information contact: email bendigo@ssaavic.com.au