Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia (SSAA Inc) Life Member and well-loved member of the benchrest community, Max Coady, has passed away leaving an undeniable mark on our sport’s history in Australia.
Max fulfilled the role of National Benchrest Scorer for the best part of 60 years, quietly working in the office with precision and diligence. His humour and smile made everyone he met on the range feel welcome and supported and his contributions to SSAA Inc and his home-state association of SSAA New South Wales will forever be remembered.
Just last year, Max retired from his role as head scorer of the National Benchrest competitions and took to the firing line as a national competitor for the first time ever.
Max has always been an avid shooter in local competitions around Canberra and Coffs Harbour however, and was involved in the construction of the Baulkham Hills, Narrabeen and Silverdale ranges in NSW. He was also involved in the early establishment of other branches across NSW and the formation of state and territory bodies across the country.
His scoring expertise has also been appreciated internationally, with Max helping with international postal shoots with the US, Canada, Italy and Germany. He scored at the World Benchrest Championships in New Zealand and the Pacific Regional Shooting Championships on several occasions.
Max was the youngest of three boys and he began shooting at around the age of 14 with his bothers Phill and Ken. His father “Pop” also received SSAA National Life Membership in 1973. In recognition of his work over the years, Max has amassed many accolades including SSAA NSW Life Membership in the 1960s, SSAA National Life Membership in 1999 and the Australian Sports Medal in 2020. Max is also a member of the Benchrest Hall of Fame.
The SSAA Inc Board and staff express their deepest sympathies to Max’s family and friends following the loss of this wonderful man and will remain forever grateful for his unwavering commitment to and enjoyment of the shooting sports.