Victorian Rifle Association vra@vra.asn.au www.vra.asn.au Message from the Chairman A very successful Queens Series has just come to a close. Thank you to all our tireless volunteers who ensure that all participants are well fed, organised and facilities are clean and in good working order. A large contingency of participants attended the event at Wellsford Rifle Range. The weather was certainly a great draw card with Bendigo putting on fine sunny days with light winds. Thank you to our Queens Co-ordinator, Mr Ken Reither, he not only managed the 2018 Queens but also managing the Grants Project. Ken will be stepping aside from the Queens responsibilities for next year to take a well-earned rest. The VRA currently has two vacant positions on council and I encourage anyone interested in contributing to the future direction of the VRA to contact me for more information on chairman@vra.asn.au
Major Grants Update The Wellsford Major Grants sub-committee recently met with the CFA and Fire Safety consultants to implement a fire management plan. They also met with representatives of the Bendigo Council to examine the planning permit progress to ensure it is on the fast track for completions Power supply testing was conducted on the 13th March 2018 with the results to be provided at the next council meeting. A new site sign has been designed and is now located at the entrance to the Wellsford Range. With Queens now completed the sub-committee can now focus on the important task of finalising the planning permit and commencing work at the range. Goings on at Wellsford Range Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning held a training day for their officers on the 13 th March 2018. DELWP conducts firearms training courses for staff that are required to possess, use and carry firearms for departmental purposes. The course was nationally accredited and as part of the process was approved by LRD division of VicPol. The General Manager of the Firearm Safety & Training Council held training on the 12 th April 2018 with theoretical segment conducted in the Frank Morgan Pavilion and the practical component of shooting with rim fire and centre fire on the range A new three-metre-high sign was recently erected near the entrance to the Wellsford Range which helps clearly identify the site. VRA Council Meeting Dates 2018 27 th May 29 th July 30 th September 25 th November Victoria Police and Emergency Service Games 2018 The games were held at Wellsford Range on Friday 16 th March 2018 with over 30 participants including members from CFA, SES, DEWLP, Victoria Police and Australian Border Force. There were eight participants entered into the TYRO category for this event with lots of positive comments from all competitors. Congratulations to Bob Herron and Geoff Wells for a great day. Minutes of these minutes are available on the VRA website.
2018 VRA Queens The VRA would like to congratulate all of the winners and participants that attended the 2018 Queens Series. The 2018 Queens was won by Duncan Davies from West Wallsend, a first time Queens Winner. His son Alex won the Tom Daly Memorial Queens Aggregate for U25 TR. The winner of TR B was Wes Eldridge from Port Campbell RC and TR C was won by Gregory Pike from Port Jackson RC. F STD A was won by Danny Sandford from Hamilton RC and F STD B by David Wallace from East Central DRA. The winner of F Open was Rod Davies from Cessnock RC and Rod Mahon taking out the FTR first prize. For a full wrap up and results of the2018 Queens, please see the report in the TRA magazine soon to be published on the NRAA website. VRA QUEENS 2019 2018 Queens Syme 10-11 April Queens 12-14 April Duncan and Alex Davies Danny Sandford F STD A Greg Pike TR C David Wallace F STD B Rod Mahon - FTR Wes Eldridge TR B Rod Davies F Open
Upcoming Prize Meetings May 2018 12/13 Stawell Prize Meeting (Stawell) 19/20 Shoot for Autism (Grantville) June 2018 If you are holding a PM in June, please email the details to the VRA. Councillor Profile Alan Wright Alan was elected to the VRA council in 2013 and re-elected in 2014 and 2016. Alan has shot both target rifle and f class over the years. Alan always makes himself available for council meetings and to assist the new Executive Officer with the members database and re-designing club mail outs. Alan is currently the Treasurer of Lang Lang RC with over 80 members to manage. Alan grew up at Invergordon (NE of Shepparton) and moved to Melbourne in 1972 where he met his wife and now has two adult children and six grandchildren. Alan is a Mechanical Design Draftsman by trade and was instrumental in managing the introduction of CAD (computer aided drafting) into Australia Post. When Alan retired in 2007 he was the National Documentation Manager overseeing thousands of documents associated with the various imported mail sorting and handling equipment. Alan is a vital member of the VRA Council and his commitment to the sport and VRA has been outstanding. Vacancy for Council There are currently two vacancies on the VRA Council, one for a general councillor and the treasurer position. Being on the VRA Council is a great opportunity to influence and guide the strategic direction of the organisation so express your interest now and represent your local club. Well represented councils are effective and efficient and can implement decisions and follow processes that make the best use of the available people, resources and time to ensure the best possible results for the whole organisation. Contact the Chairman or Executive Officer for more information.
Membership Update Membership Renewals for 2018 2019 have now been sent to your local club. Please support your club secretaries by paying your membership as soon as possible and updating all your contact details. JOKE OF THE MONTH This allows the cogs of the VRA and Rifle Clubs turn smoothly and easily!
VRA Shop Specials Meet Geoff Wells, Geoff is our resident expert for all things rifle shooting. He is available to answer all your questions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9am 4.30. Come into the VRA Shop to chat to Geoff or call him on # 5449 3153 or email shop@vra.asn.au Barnes Match Burners 308 155gn BT/Match/100 $40.00 Redding Die 6mm PPC Type S FLS- 77211 - $90.00 Redding Die 30-06 Type S Seater 56148 - $80.00 Hornady Die Press Conversion Kit -LNL $20 VRA Bucket Hat White Only Now $10
The VRA strongly supports Shooting Australia s National Come & Try May event Congratulations to the below clubs for participating in this fantastic national initiative. Colac RC, Yarram RC, Rosedale RC, Wangaratta RC and Ararat RC. For the most up to date information and news, find and follow us on Facebook. Victorian Rifle Association The 5th Annual Shoot for Autism is being held at Grantville Rifle Club on 19 & 20th May 2018 Raffle Tickets are available for $25 with the first prize being a Nightforce Scope NXS-2.5-10 x 42mm-.250 Moar - Digillum. Call Brad on #0422 202 171 to purchase tickets and support this great cause. To submit articles or provide feedback on the newsletter, please email Nikki at vra@vra.asn.au or phone 03 5449 3153. The next edition of the newsletter will be published in the first week of July 2018