SSAA Portland Branch

Victoria Club Profile

Situated in south-western Victoria, the historic town of Portland has a number of attractions for visitors. For shooters, however, activities revolve around the benchrest and big bore ranges.

It was around 1978 that a small group of fox shooters would meet on a 100-acre property owned by R L (Bob) Dean on the southern edge of the town. They would test and zero their rifles and generally talk shooting. Eventually, someone turned up with a benchrest rifle and they started measuring group sizes, and in 1980 informal benchrest shoots began. The club began with about 12 to 15 regular rifle shooters, but there were also about 20 more who set up a shotgun range on the property. Bob Dean was the first Club President, and the range is named after him.

The land upon which the range sits was bought out by the aluminium smelter, which was quite happy for them to continue activities, and assisted in various ways. The land is now owned by the Government and is declared a recreation reserve.

Roger Teal is the current range President, and he explained to us that there would be around 20 regular active members, while the SSAA members assigned to this club would be approaching 200. There are 10 regular junior shooters and around five female shooters at the club.

Rimfire benchrest is heavily promoted as a means of attracting junior shooters, and regular shoots are held.

The club’s facilities include basic toilets, a fully enclosed reloading area, a small kitchen and a 16-bench covered firing line. It is proposed that the benchline will be extended to 20 benches within the next two years. It is also proposed that a new and larger toilet block will be built, plus additional covered reloading area, and a new target and storage shed.

In March of 1995, the first registered benchrest shoot was held, and was designated the Crayfish Invitational for light and heavy varmint benchrest rifles. This tradition has continued unbroken, and the club recently held the 10th anniversary Crayfish shoot.

In November 2004, the club hosted the Australian Super Shoot, which was well attended, and received excellent sponsorship from both within Australia and overseas.

The club also holds an annual Police vs. Citizens team match, which is a combination of rimfire field rifle and shotgun events.

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