Muckadilla 2023

Muckadilla has it all in 2023!

58 shooters travelled to attend the event from as far away as Canberra, NSW, Wondai, Darling Downs, Gold Coast, Goondiwindi, Caboolture and other areas.   

The Western District Rifle Association (WDRA)  – Eric Burey Memorial Range – Muckadilla Rifle Club conducted its annual 3 day May Day shoot over 29th, 30th April and 1st May 2023.  This competition  was the 38th  meet at this range.   The Club moved from the rifle range at Roma 40 years ago and with the move the name of the club was changed from Roma Rifle Club to the current name to better reflect the town where the club is now based.

The Roma Rifle Club was formed as the Roma Rifle Corps set up by the colony of Queensland in 1885 and the history involved is amazing.  Only two shoots have been cancelled over the 40 year period – one due to Covid and the other to rain.  The range is located  on black soil and not very conducive to driving or walking in the environment when it has rained.

Target rifle shooting or full bore as it was previously classified was based on shooting military based calibres and rifles initially to improve the proficiency of the armed forces after the Crimean War.  Queen Victoria gifted a 250 pound prize in 1860 to the top marksman at the original shoot held on Wimbledon Common.  She also fired the first shot.  In current time the  rifles have changed events and are  still held over long range, shot lying down or prone.

At the event held last weekend Day 1’s (29th April )program  – The first distance shot was 500 yards with 2 sighting shots and 10 scoring shots immediately followed by a second round of 500 yards being shot.  Unfortunately due to a line of storms coming in from western Queensland, competitors had to stop shooting and targets were taken down to avoid possible damage with wind gusts of over 40 kph.  The combination of the rain and black soil caused the range to become impassable for vehicle and foot traffic with the overall outcome resulting  in the first day’s shooting being cancelled.

Second day (30th April ) dawned clear and cool and the shoot progressed out to 600 yards with 2 sighting in shots and 10 scoring shots.  The second and third events were 700 and 800 yards resulting in Muckadilla Club shooters handing in some great scores including Brett Harling of Injune winning  the day two aggregate with his target rifle.  Robert Henderson of Muckadilla was runner up in Sport hunter, Alana Saunders  of  Injune came in third in Sport Hunter and John Downes of Hodgson winning all 3 distances with his hunting class rifle.

Day 3 (1st May ) dawned cool again (4 deg. C) and clear with tricky wind conditions making high scores difficult to achieve at 900 yards x 10 shots and another 900 yards x 11 shots.  Local shooters did exceptionally well again with Wayne Bryant of Roma taking out the second 900 yards in the Sport/Hunter division.   Bret Harling continued to shoot well as did Alana Saunders of Injune and John Downes taking out the first 900  yards with his hunting rifle. 

Overall local shooters took out major placings.  Alana Saunders was runner up in Sport Hunter and Wayne Bryant came in third.  Bret Harling took out overall Target Rifle B grade.   John Downes was the overall winner In the Sport Hunter division, the most successful Veteran shooter, the shooter to hit the most number of centre bulls eyes (V’s) and most successful WDRA shooter.  Additional prizes presented were for highest Veteran shooter, Under 25s, Most V bulls shot, Tyro, Lady and WDRA shooters.   

The competition would not have been as successful without the great support the Club received from the local community including the ladies of the Muckadilla Hall for catering, the local private and business community who supported the event with prize money as well as trophies.  A perpetual trophy donated by Scott and April Lupton will be located at the Muckadilla Community Hall.  The sponsorship list includes Banks Bolts & Fasteners , Brown & Hurley Agriculture, Fred IE Services, Goodyear Autocare, Injune Hardware, Kimlin’s Camping, Roger Dahl, Roma Tools, Senex, Taylor’s Parts Centre and the Maranoa Regional Council (Bungil) office with a special thanks going to the Roma Mens’ Shed and P & P Trophies for their assistance.

Special thanks must also be accorded to Bim Langdon (Club President), Gerald and Marlene Rennick for their in depth knowledge of the Club, its history and their ongoing support. 

About Us

The Queensland Rifle Association fosters target rifle shooting and firearms training through our clubs.   Different classes of rifle shooting are conducted by our Clubs under the Standard Shooting Rules (SSRs) of the National Rifle Association of Australia (NRAA).

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Our Location

Belmont Shooting Complex