It is with sadness we announce the passing of former SSAA National President William (Bill) Shelton who died on October 24. He was 96. For many years Bill was a passionate and highly successful leader of the Association as, in the mid-1990s, the Federal Government’s National Firearms Buyback along with the then-newly legislated mandatory ‘Genuine Reason’ rule created a huge influx of new members across the country. As National President, along with other Board members Bill used this massive growth spurt to turn the SSAA into Australia’s premiere shooting organisation.
As President of the New South Wales state branch, he teamed up with Executive Director the late Roy Smith, to organise the finances necessary to build St Marys Indoor Shooting Centre which went on to become Australia’s most successful indoor range.
A Life Member of SSAA National and Sydney Clay Target Club, over the years Bill toured Australia, opening new branches to benefit local shooters and build an even stronger Association. He also held a great passion for Browning shotguns and was a highly competitive and successful shooter as well as a sought-after coach of juniors and newcomers.
After Board meetings and AGMs over a glass of Rosemont Chardonnay, Bill was famous for regaling the company with tales of the good times, amusing stories and anecdotes from his shooting travels and, while by today’s standards he was probably regarded as ‘old school’, during his time with the Association, Bill Shelton was undoubtedly SSAA through and through.