Target Shooting Recollections of "Harro"

I first became interested in rifle shooting in 1970 after receiving an invitation from a Chrysler work mate, Jim Claridge (a member of the Goodwood United Rifle Club) to compete in a ‘friendly’ against some Holden workers, organized by another member Ted Knowles.
In those times a Saturday shoot consisted of 2 rounds each of two optional sighters and eight counting shots for a total score out of eighty. The rifles we used were various models of the old 303’s (with the ‘Omark’ 7.62mm rifle being released for use in 1970).
I was paired off with ‘Russ Thornton’ who was to be my instructor for the day and who later was to become one of my mentors and very good friend, who now resides in Bendigo.

I really can’t remember much about the scores or who won between Holden’s and Chryslers but what I do remember was the lack of class distinction within the club with a ‘Wharfie’ Colin Hardy having a beer and good old discussion with the ‘surveyor general for South Australia’ Harold Belson, both of whom belonged to the club.

I thought that this is a sport for me! I joined G.U.R.C on the ninth of June 1970 and remained a member until it amalgamated with ‘Metro’ to become the Light River Rifle club.

At that time in 2003 I transferred to Murray Bridge Rifle Club.

During my time at G.U.R.C I held the positions of club captain, secretary and committee member and my shooting skills were developed by club members including Les Lock, Adrian Hobbs, Ted Knowles and Glen Buddle to name just a few.

The best advice given to me, was by a club mate and workmate. A really great mentor, Lance Smith who once said to me during a state championship, after listening to all the reasons why I had a really bad range score “Gordon you must only concern yourself with ‘matters’ that you have control over”. You can’t control being rained on, being shifted to another target or having a bad piece of the mound to shoot off, BUT you do have control of the positives, that is applying yourself and concentrating on the wind, your target, your sight picture, trigger release and follow through, do all that and good scores will follow!

Boy that’s still very good advice today for both new and old members alike!

Team shooting was always a huge part of the GURC tradition with that club winning the prestige city of Adelaide association teams ‘Dean Shield’ for twenty consecutive years, and by the way the only GURC member in all of those teams was Adrian Hobbs, now in the Wakerie club and turning eighty next birthday.

With a club team background, I tried out as a state team shooter and represented SA in 1976, 79, 85, 86 and 91, then as a wind coach in 2006, 07 and 09.

I still remember my first OPM win, it was in 1971 when I won the Whyalla C grade aggregate. And I won my first and only number B Grade Queens Badge in 1974. From 1975 until now I have competed in A Grade and have been fortunate to win fifty queens badge includes No 1 Badge in Adelaide in 1982.

One record that I am proud to hold is the fact that in A Grade I won the last OPM held on the old Murray Bridge rifle Range and the first OPM held on the new Murray Bridge rifle range (the last shot in 1979 and the first in 1980).

Other good times remember were the Mount Barker Clubs’ (one Sunday each months) picnic shoots. These days were a favourite for many local shooters and their families, especially in the month when kids and adults alike, picked mushrooms the size of dinner plates! The ‘Brittians’ ran these shoots for many years, but sadly all good things come to an end.

I have traveled all over Australia because of rifle shooting and in 1988 I competed in the Australian Bi-Centenary Rifle Shooting Championships in Sydney at which 1200 shooters from all over the world competed. On a personal note I got a hat trick with a James Cook Spoon, Bi Centanary Queens and Grand Championship Badges. The Bi-Centenary Queens prize, trophy and cash to the value of a $30,000 was won by a new Zealander John Dodson who ‘took home the bacon’ so to speak. Not bad for three days of fun!

Another phase of my shooting life started in 2005 when I joined the SA Vets Rifle Shooters. Since then I have either shot or coached in their teams in Victoria, North Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory and home in SA. I was a member of the winning Australian Veterans Team that competed at Trentham in 2009.

The friendships made through this activity has been second to none and to further promote this activity I have had the pleasure to be the SA President since my election in 2008.

I know that the greatest attribute of target rifle shooting is the friendships that are formed. Personally I am most thankful for all the good friend I have all over Australian, New Zealand and America which without target shooting (and the Chrysler – Holden Challenge day) I would not have made.
I have attached a copy of my target shooting achievements for those of you statistically minded.

My wish to you all – that all your shots be in the ‘centre’.

Best Regards, ‘Harro’.
Gordon Harrison, Member M.B.R.C.