The Queensland Rifle Association, inaugurated in 1861, is the oldest sporting body in Queensland. It was formed from the ranks of the early volunteer defence movement, the first Queensland Volunteer Force being formed in 1860 by Sir George Ferguson Bowen, the Governor of the Colony.
Historian Bill Casey’s research into the history of the QRA revealed that The Courier, Brisbane, reported that the Queensland Rifle Association was inaugurated at a meeting at Cowell’s Victoria Hotel in Brisbane on Wednesday 15th May 1861 (Courier 16/5/1861 p.2).
The Association was “modelled on the plan of the National Rifle Association in Great Britain” having as its Patron, His Excellency, Sir George Bowen, Governor of Queensland. Its President was the Honourable Lieutenant Colonel Maurice Charles O’Connell, Commander of the Queensland Volunteer Rifle Corps and President of Queensland’s Legislative Council.
The List of Subscriptions in the First Annual Report of 1863 contains 75 names and the first prize meeting was conducted on 15 September 1863. Nine matches were conducted at ranges from 200 to 600 yards with prizes and a ‘purse’ of up to £15.
The Annual Prize Meeting of the new Association was held on the Brisbane Rifle Range, from 20 to 24 August 1878. The programme consisted of Cadet matches, teams matches for the Volunteer Units, individual competitions and an international match. The most important match was designated the “Queens” Aggregate and the ranges were 200, 500 and 600 yards, seven rounds at each using Snider rifles and ammunition. In addition to the Silver Medal of the National Rifle Association of Great Britain, and 10 badges provided by the Association, there was prize money totalling £100, (£20 to the winner).
The prizes won during this meeting were presented to the successful competitors by his Excellency the Governor, Sir Arthur Kennedy, in the Exhibition building on Saturday evening, 24 August 1878.
Mark Thurtell is chaired at the 132nd QRA Queen's Prize
What a great 9 days it has been on the Duncan Range as the QRA played host to some of the world’s elite long range full-bore shooters: Japan, Indonesia, New Zealand and Australia. Target rifle (A, B, and C grade), F Open, F Standard (A & B grade) and FTR. The Pacific Rifle Club OPM also had Sporter / Hunter on Saturday the 6th August! You can check out our Facebook page for photos!
TR
It’s been a magnificent week of shooting on the Duncan Range and our shooters have shown they are some of the best in the world!
- Mark Thurtell of Lyndhurst showed that consistent shooting wins the day when he took the main prize by 2 points over Matt Pozzebon and Lee Robinson. He also pushed his brother Peter down to fourth place as he shot a great 73.05 at 1000 yards (in difficult conditions).
- Peter Camm, Michelle Fletcher and Dom Whalan showed real class in TRB to take out the top 3 spots.
- Ken Allen, Brian Dryburghand Paul Kerlin took the top 3 spots in TRC. Ken won all but 3 ranges! That’s some great shooting.
F STANDARD
F Standard saw 2 of our top shots Andrew McKillop (1) and Henk Doggen (2) fighting it out but our two shining Junior stars were hot on their heels! Hamish took third and Mia fourth. Coming in fifth was one of the all-time greats in F Standard: Bob Pedersen.
Scott Morley held his nerve to take FSB with John Preece and super-veteran Dick Blocksidge not far behind! Scott shot consistenly well over all ranges but was caught out with the difficult 1000 yards on the last day. Dick, hammered it home on a winning note!
F OPEN
F Open saw Seb Lambang take the gong as he finished the longs with some great shooting. He nudged out Lowell Tillack and Brian Potter who finished a point behind (both of whom had superior centre counts). Consistency once again shines through.
FTR
FTR saw Leon Lindley nudge out Frans Know and Cam Free. Our shooters finished on a stong note as others fell at the longs. A special note was our junior, Declan Barlow who won the final 1000 yards 2ith a magnificent 85.5!
QUEEN’S WINNERS – TOP 5
- TRA – Mark Thurtell, Matt Pozzebon, Lee Robinson, Peter Thurtell, Ash Bidgood
- TRB – Peter Camm, Michell Fletcher, Dominic Whalan, Stephen Small, Reilly Pitt
- TRC – Ken Allen, Brian Dryburgh, Paul Kerlin, Warwick Thomas, Brett Kettle
- FSA – Andrew McKillop, Henk Doggen, Hamish O’Donnell, Mia Lowe, Bob Pedersen
- FSB – Scott Morley, John Preece, Dick Blocksidge, Terry Trigg, Jenni Hausler
- F OPEN – Sebastian Lambang, Lowell Tillack, Brian Potter, Sean Campbell, Adrian Siebel
- FTR – Leon Lindley, Frans Knox, Cameron Free, Jordan Drew, John Stevens
Duncan Winners – 2022
- TRA – Shane Abood
- TRB – John Caske
- TRC – Brian Dryburgh
- FSA – Andrew McKillop
- FSB – John Preece
- F OPEN – Sean Campbell
- FTR – Cam Free
Pacific Prize Meeting
- Saturday 6th 500y 600y 800y 800y (10 shots)
- Sunday 7th 900y 900y 1000y 1000y (10 shots)
- Saturday 6th 500y 600y 800y 800y (10 shots)
Practice Day
- Tuesday 9th 300y, 1000y
Duncan Aggregate & Teams
- Wednesday 10th 500y 500y 600y 600y (10 shots)
- Thursday 11th 900y 1000y (10 shots)
- Teams:- The WG Duncan Club Teams (Target Rifle) & The Wild Dog Trophy (Hybrid Teams)
Queen’s Prize
- Friday 12th 300y 500y 600y 600y (10 shots)
- Saturday 13th 800y 900y 900y 1000y (10 shots)
- Sunday 14th 900y 1000y (15 shots)
OUR MAJOR SPONSORS
2022
QUEEN’S
TR AGGREGATE
Dr Isobel Johnstone
DUNCAN
TR AGGREGATE
Gordon & Ruth Duncan
QUEEN’S TR B
QUEEN’S TR C
QUEEN’S
DAILY
AGGREGATES
LAPUA/ NIOA
F CLASS
OPEN, STD A,
STD B, FTR
NIGHTFORCE OPTICS
OUR MAJOR SPONSORS 2022
QUEEN’S
TR AGGREGATE
Dr Isobel Johnstone
The Duncan Family
QUEEN’S TR B
QUEEN’S TR C
QUEEN’S
DAILY
AGGREGATES
LAPUA/ NIOA
F CLASS
OPEN, STD A,
STD B, FTR
NIGHTFORCE OPTICS
Sponsors
- QBN Insurance – John Leaske
- John Shafferius
- Helen Griffiths
- Michelle Fletcher
- The Cadden Family
Sponsors
- QBN Insurance – John Leaske
- John Shafferius
- Helen Griffiths
- Michelle Fletcher
- The Cadden Family
Check out the results on Hexta!
Meet all our previous champions
Over the years (opens in new window)
Meet all our previous champions
Over the years (opens in new window)
Quick Links
Our Location
Belmont Shooting Complex
- 1485 Old Cleveland Road, Belmont Qld, 4153
- PO Box 38, CARINA QLD 4152
- 07 3398 4309
- qra@qldrifle.com
- Duncan Range Standing Orders - Refer to the office
- Covid-19 Information
- GIVEITASHOT & FSC registration is via RevolutioniseSport management
Quick Links
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).
NRAA Quicklinks
Our Location
Belmont Shooting Complex
- 1485 Old Cleveland Road, Belmont Qld, 4153
- PO Box 38, CARINA QLD 4152
- 07 3398 4309
- qra@qldrifle.com
- Duncan Range Standing Orders - Refer to the office
- Covid-19 Information
- GIVEITASHOT & FSC registration is via RevolutioniseSport management