Hedland Sporting Shooters Club
and SSAA Branch

Western Australia Club Profile

Port Hedland is on the north-west coast of Western Australia in the Pilbara region. It has a signifi cant iron ore processing infrastructure and, although not a ‘mining town’ as such, it is infl uenced by the iron ore mining industry. During the years it has developed a strong sporting culture, which has thrived despite long working hours, shift rosters and a transient population. The Hedland Sporting Shooters Club has been active since 1986. Scheduled shoots are conducted every Sunday, with a break during the wet season in December and January.

Disciplines shot include all forms of shotgun, metallic silhouette rimfire and centrefire rifle and pistol, field rifle rimfire, benchrest, practical handgun, black powder and western action. Events are conducted on a three-week rotation basis. Active shooters with a standard rimfire or centrefire rifle are able to participate in a competition every weekend. Handgun events are distributed over weeknights and some weekends to allow for shift workers.

The range is located in a relatively flat spinifex plain area, making it subject to wind variations. Average gusts are about 40kph and average temperatures are about 36 degrees during summer months. For these reasons, the club has few ‘elite’ shooters; however, Paul McGowan (shotgun), Wayne Munro (benchrest) and Neil Hill (black powder) participate in both state and national titles. There are also half a dozen members who have achieved proficiency awards (over 1000) in BR30 and many who take part in the SSAA field rifle state, national and junior national postal shoots. Membership is family oriented, with juniors taking a keen interest.

The layout of the various discipline ranges is side-by-side across a shaded firing line about 600 metres in length. Adjacent to the fi ve-stand shotgun range are the rimfi re range, with a depth of 300 metres, and the centrefire range, which extends back to a 600-metre distant stop butt. Three pits complete the line. The next project is a gazebo barbecue area to complement social activities.

For more information contact: www.hssc.pilbara.net.au is updated monthly and gives a good overview of the club and its activities.