A new Walcha Gun Club was established in July 1955 with assistance from the Tamworth club.
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At its first meeting, the club discussed the purchase of a trap machine and the leasing of council land adjacent to the present-day John Oxley Sports Ground where they were to hold regular shoots.
Until the new club was formed, many post-war shooters regularly travelled from Walcha to Armidale and Tamworth to pursue their sport.
The club’s rebirth is mentioned in the reminiscences of the late J.F. “Jock” Nivison of Yalgoo, who wrote: “Bert Watts, Dick Ireland and I formed the club with help from a number of intending members. We went for shoots at St George, Southport, Inverell, Moree, Coolah and Gunnedah.”
Jock, who was the club president, added: “Steve Staughton from Gunnedah and I shot at Newcastle on one occasion where we decided we would share any prizes. The main event was for an Austin Lancer motorcar. I had a lucky day and won it. Steve was very embarrassed, but I was adamant and sold the car and we split the proceeds. Steve spent the next 10 years buying expensive Yalgoo bulls and selling us cheap oats!”
The club held a demonstration shoot as part of the entertainment at the official opening of the Lions Club scenic stairway at Apsley Falls in October 1961, shooting across the gorge from the Lions Club Lookout. Many of its members were also members of the Walcha Rifle Club.
The club lapsed in the early 1960s and reformed in 1967. It held meetings near the Walcha Golf Club and also at a location in the vicinity of Irishtown before moving to its present home, a one-hectare plot on Bergen Road, on which a range was set up in the early 1980s.
Recently, the club made a successful grant application that was used to purchase two radio-controlled portable trap machines, which will increase the types of competition it can provide. The club also plans to buy a shipping container to store supplies, allowing them to make better use of their existing clubhouse.
The Walcha Gun Club has 20 members, with Grahame Casey its president and Bill Fletcher its secretary. It is affiliated with the Australian Clay Target Association and shoots on the third Sunday of each month.
Find out more about the history of shooting in Walcha:
