Colin Kuchel - Shooting Career

I started competitive rifle shooting in the 1950’s when I was serving in the regular army. I competed in many inter-unit matches particularly on the Dean Rifle Range Port Adelaide. I stopped shooting when I was discharged from the army in 1959.

In the great drought of 1967 I was hired by the Murray Bridge Rifle Club to dig out the sand drift, which had filled in the target pit, with my backhoe.
This changed my life forever.

 

Very soon I joined the Club & have been a member ever since. My earthmoving equipment was a great assistance to the Club when it built its new range at Monarto in 1979/80.

In 1973 I was elected to the SA Rifle Association State Council of which I am still a member. In 1982 I became 1 of the 2  SA delegates to the National Rifle Association Council. I remained on the National Council for 18 years, serving 8 years as Deputy Chairman & 2 years as National Chairman.

In 1983 I was elected Chairman of the SA Rifle Association, a position I still hold. I was  the Chairman of State Selectors from 1995-2007.

In 1978 I was selected in the SA State team to Perth where we  won the teams championships. I was a member of the next 5 State teams, then became Captain in 1988, 1989 & 1991, & a member of the 1994 team.

In 1982 I was selected in the Australian Team to Bisley (UK) & Canada.

I was the Australian Captain on 3 occasions, Canada 1987, NZ 1992, Canada & the USA 1992. Vice Captain in 1988 (Sydney).

Judith Obst: Captain of Australian Ladies Rifle Team NZ 1992

Colin Kuchel: Captain of Australian Rifle Team NZ 1992

A first for Australia 2 Captains from the same Club

 

 

Australian Rifle Team Ottawa Canada 1992 Note: Colin Kuchel Capt, Trevor Deed and John Obst. All from Murray Bridge Rifle Club.

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 In 1985 I won the Heaslip 2 day event & the Grand Championship at the SA Queens prize shoot in Adelaide.

In 1987 I won the 2 day lead up & the Grand Championship in Ontario, Canada.

In the 1999 Queen’s Birthday Honours list I was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for my service to the Sport of Fullbore Rifle Shooting on a State & National Level.

 I am a level  2 accredited Coach & a National Level accredited range officer. I have been awarded Life Membership of : The Murray Bridge Rifle Club, The SA Rifle Association & The Australian Match Rifle Association.

 

MBRC winners of 1971 Country Teams Championship

Back row: Morry Hollamby, Jeff Martin, Colin Kuchel, Ted Deed

Front Row: Les Brereton, Phil Johncock

 

 

Due to health problems I am unable to shoot from the prone position & now shoot from a portable bench. I first saw benches in use in Townsville a couple of years ago & our State Association has built 4 benches,1 of which is at Murray Bridge. They are towable around the range & can be set up in about 5 minutes. This has given me a new lease on life. This has enabled older shooters to continue in their chosen sport for many more years.

I switched to F Class Standard in 2006, I found this very good for me  and have won the Club FS Championship in 2007, 2009, and 2011.

I was the Secretary/Treasurer of the Monarto Shooting Complex for many years, it has facilities for: Fullbore, Smallbore, Clay target, Pistol, Metallic silhouette, Bench rest & Muzzle loading shooting.

The Complex is capable of hosting National & International events. It is a great asset to the State. It is adjacent to the SE freeway about 12kms West of Murray Bridge.

Winner of Whyalla Open 1988