Rifle Clubs of the Yarra Valley - a historical perspective from 1885 - 2000 (Extract)
Need to scan whole booklet for archival preservation.
David Rapley 106 Longwarry Road Bunyip, VIC. Australia, 3815 drapley@bigpond.com ©2004 Printed by: ECG Copy Centre, 3/57 Smith Street, Warragul, VIC. 3820 (03) 5623 6999
DB0340
A view of target shooting in Victoria as seen through the clubs of No. 16 District Rifle Association (DRA) located in the hill country east of Melbourne.
The area covered by No.16 DRA is roughly the electoral district of Evelyn and the clubs were for a time bound together as the Evelyn District Rifle Association formed in 1900. Scrutiny of this group reveals a typical slice of the target shooting cake. The formation, development, activities and in many cases the demise of these clubs is characteristic of the rifle shooting movement throughout Australia. In any District you will be able to transpose the names of other clubs onto these. It is also where my own club was located and this publication was borne from my own interest in its history.
Target shooting with a rifle is the oldest sport continuously practiced in Australia since European settlement, the first to represent the country overseas and one of only three with royal patronage. It is without doubt, the only sport to have been under direct government control and to receive mandated financial sponsorship. It is a curious and unique sport in many ways as it was primarily seen as augmenting national defence, and the necessary skills for elite level success were not actually taught. It also gave Australia one of its three greatest sportsmen in the first half of the 20th century - the legendary Percy Pavey.
By the 1930s there was, or had been, a rifle club in nearly every country town throughout Australia as well as many in the cities. In Victoria alone there were over seven hundred rifle clubs.
Doncaster Rifle Club c1908-1910. Back row: L-R: C. Toogood, B. Laurie, W. Rieschrieck, E. Ireland, H. Serpell. Front row: L-R: J. Sell, M. Miles, W. Vettler, J. Smith, P. Sharp, J. Russell. Eric Collyer Collection and Photograph on front cover. (DP1727 E. P. Whitten Collection)
The background
It may well be impossible for the reader to understand the high level of government sponsorship and promotion that the sport of target shooting received in Australia during the years 1850 to I960, or the considerable public participation, support and press coverage in those days.
Today there is no government support and the press is only concerned with criminal use of firearms. In fact the greater proportion of the public have no knowledge of this sport which offers more to the participant than most others can.
Consider an all-weather sport where a high level of enjoyment and success can be achieved on an equal footing between people whose age, physical fitness and gender is not of primary importance. A teenage girl with excellent eyesight can compete on an equal level with an eighty-year old man with failing vision. The highest and most coveted award, the ‘Queen’s Prize’ was won by a grandmother in 1999 with her daughter coming eighth in the same event.
In this sport men and women can represent Australia in the same team, in the same events. No other sport offers this. The only requirement for success is the ‘want to’ factor. Someone joining at an early age can look forward to decades of enjoyment. It also offers the ability to leave for periods of time when life’s demands dictate, and return later to achieve success at the same or a higher level. It offers both team and individual competition and develops self-confidence and self-belief automatically. It has a technical and psychological challenge that may be pursued or ignored, yet either way the activity can still remain enjoyable.
The origins
The sport originated as training in skill-at-arms in the context of national defence. Since the earliest of times such skills have been integrated as both a necessary ability for survival and a non-fatal competition or sport.
Archers and swordsmen of bygone times perfected their skills through competition that did not continually decimate their population. Target shooting with a military rifle was the next technological progression from fencing and archery. Throughout the ages armies staged competitions to foster skill-at-arms. There was also civilian participation in the same events, not only because they were a popular form of exercise or competition, but also because it was well understood that a nation of civilians proficient in the use of the current military weapons - be they swords, bows or rifles - would provide a trained pool of reserves to supplement the professional force in times of need.
If we also consider the young and resource rich country of Australia with its extensive coastlines to defend and a horse the fastest method of deployment, it is obvious that a very desirable aid to defence would be a civilian population already skilled in the use of a rifle. What better way of achieving this, than through a sport which is very easy to enjoy and become passionate about! Not surprisingly, the government of the day poured many resources into fostering this sport in the colonies.
From settlement until 1870, Australia was defended by British Imperial troops; twenty-four British regiments were represented here, although usually only at company strength. Since their first arrival, competitions in rifle shooting were conducted.
Victoria’s Defences - Development of the Rifle Clubs
In 1851 Victoria achieved self-government and by 1853 the colony had started to build its own volunteer forces. By 1854 the Crimean War caused considerable concern to Victorians in 1854 and by 1859 there was fear of a French invasion. Both factors caused the hasty construction of forts and communication systems. The Government passed the Volunteer Act of 1859 and a rapid growth in the numbers of 'patriotic volunteers' resulted. Some of the Volunteer Corps had rifle clubs formed from their own ranks and competitions were conducted with other units on an informal basis.
As the development of these rifle clubs necessarily moved with that of the military, they need to be examined together. It is interesting to look at the strengths and areas of operation of the Volunteers at this time.
1859 - St. Kilda Rifle Corps.
This was the first rifle company to be recorded under the new Act. Their orderly room was located next to the Royal Hotel on the Esplanade, their butts - on the beach! (There were three rifle butts (ranges) in operation between Elwood and St Kilda in the earty 1860’s). They had 109 active members of which 100 were said to be ‘effective’ having passed the necessary musketry course.
1859 / 60 - Prahran and South Yarra Rifle Corps.
They had an orderly room in Osborne St. South Yarra and their unit strength was 115 active with 100 effective. They were equipped with Lancaster rifles and were negotiating with the municipal council to establish butts in Orrong Rd.
1860 - Portland Volunteer Rifle Company.
Formed in 1854 but not on an official basis until 1860, by which time they had 85 active members with 100 effective. This company disbanded in 1863 and after a lapse of three years, an artillery detachment was formed.
1860 - Hawthorn and Kew Volunteers Rifle Company.
The rifle butts of the Kew Rifle Club were located near the old clay pit in Studley Park, Hawthorn. The company boasted a Victoria Cross winner. (Private Frederick Whiripool -won for Gallantry while serving with the 3rd Bombay European Regiment during the Indian Mutiny). Active 72 members, 100 effective.
1864 - Maldon Volunteer Rifle Corps.
The local historical society holds a minute book of the Maldon Rifle Club for 1865. It shows 90 active, 75 effective members.
1876 - Malmsbury Detachment - 2nd Castlemaine Rifles.
There were 46 active, 50 effective members. Their butts can be identified to this day.
The English National Rifle Association was formed in 1860.
Its aims and objectives were - 'For the encouragement of Volunteer Rifle Corps and the promotion of rifle shooting throughout Great Britain. By raising funds for the establishment of a Great National Meeting for rifle shooting, similar to the Tri-Federal which takes place in Switzerland, the principal prize will be open to enrolled effective volunteers but with a view to promote rifle shooting as a national pastime and custom. It is proposed to also establish prizes, which will be open to all comers.'
Victoria took notice of this, and against a background of existing activity within its Volunteer Corps in rifle practice and competition, the Victorian Rifle Association (VRA') was formed in 1860. Its intention: to encourage competitive rifle shooting between the Volunteers and all other classes of the community.
Their first rifle meeting was flagged for the 29th and 30th of December, 1860. Three matches were open to Volunteers but only with Lancaster or Enfield regulation rifles and service ammunition. A further four matches were open to all comers. These matches were shot at the Sandridge range. Entries were to be limited to 240. The announcement was made on the 21st of December and by the 28th, the limit was vastly exceeded. The meeting was a great success. The Governor of Victoria presented over five hundred pounds worth of prizes at the newly built Melbourne Exhibition Building. Captain Radcliff, Commander of the Carlton Rifles won the Governor’s Prize and the VRA Gold Medal.
The VRA was soon to become the body most supportive of the Volunteer Corps. The Victorian Government was also instrumental in its expansion by making Crown Land available in most country and coastal areas for rifle butts.
In 1862 the first Inter-Colonial Match was'shot against NSW. (The NSW Rifle Association was also founded in 1860 but did not shoot its first matches until September of 1861.) This match was for teams of ten members of the Volunteer Corps, shooting for a bronze challenge shield. The state that won three matches retained it In the first five years Victoria was only successful once so the shield stayed with NSW and is displayed at the offices of the NSWRA to this day. After a lapse of six years these matches were re-introduced in 1873 with New Zealand now entering the competition. Victoria was successful that year.
1863-4 - Some 2600 civilian volunteers and regulars left Australia to fight in the New Zealand Maori Wars.
1870 - The British forces were withdrawn so Victoria had to provide its own defences. These initially consisted of a small detachment of permanent troops plus citizen soldiery. As this was also the year of the Franco- Prussian War, defence was becoming a major issue.
1876 - The NRA of Great Britain invited a Victorian team to Wimbledon for their national championship, the Queen's Prize. This was the very first time a Victorian sporting team was represented overseas. (The MCC Cricket team was to do so a year later.) The NRA had been successful in its objective to popularize target shooting as there were 2324 entries. The Victorians acquitted themselves well and then travelled onto New York for the American Centennial International matches (also referred to as the Philadelphia matches) where they were joined by a team from NSW. These matches are well reported in 'Hasty notes of a flying trip with the Victorian Rifle Teamin 197& by Captain Blannin, Honorary Secretary of the VRA, who accompanied them.
1875 - A royal commission into Victoria's volunteer forces was held. Its recommendation was for a small, thoroughly trained and disciplined force, which should be concentrated for the sake of economy. Recommended strength: Engineering, Torpedo & Signal Corps. 200; Garrison & Field Artillery 2000; Infantry 1200;.
At the end of December, Victoria’s armed forces stood at 137 permanent and 3723 volunteers.
1877 - The risk of another Russian war caused an upturn in volunteer numbers.
1881 - The Victorian Government announced that it would grant a special prize of one hundred pounds for a Queen’s Trophy rifle match. Although the value has altered The Queen's' is shot to this day and is the premier event on the target shooting calendar.
1882 - Following a change of government, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Frederick Sargood became Minister of Defence for Victoria. He was to be a great supporter of the VRA all his life and was also its Vice-Patron.
1884 - Minister Sargood announced an investigation of Victoria’s military system. The entire system of volunteer forces was disbanded as a result and a paid militia introduced, together with a Council of Defence. Victorian militiamen were required to attend a set number of parades and camps. They were to be supported by a 'nursery' of young, drilled recruits known as 'The Cadets'. Sargood also intended that the whole able-bodied male population should be trained in the use of the military rifle.
This laid the way for the formation of civilian rifle clubs. This concept was not without opposition from some of the military authorities - those who objected to any of their facilities being granted to independent organizations that did not have the obligations for service required from the Militia. Opposed to them were the many members of the disbanded Volunteers who were still interested in rifle practice but did not wish the obligation imposed by the new militia system. After considerable political lobbying the way was made clear for the formation of civilian rifle clubs under the auspices of the VRA.
1884 - A historic meeting took place on the 7th of October at the Port Phillip Club Hotel where the Melbourne Rifle Club was formed. This was the year Germany formally annexed northeast New Guinea, which again heightened the defence issue.
1885 - On the 7th of May, the Victorian Department of Defence issued a memorandum stating that the Melbourne Rifle Club had received recognition from the Council of Defence of the State of Victoria. A great number of applications were then received for the formation of other civilian rifle clubs.
leutenant-Colonel Tom Price was given command of the rifle clubs and did much to strengthen and expand the movement. He also had command of a new mobile force - The Victorian Mounted Rifles - and in establishing this, recruited extensively from the rifle clubs. Victoria’s defence strength then stood at: Military 4638; Cadets 1850; Rifle Clubs 6540
1886 - Transport and Ambulance Corps were formed. By the end of the year, 225 rifle clubs had been approved and membership stood at over six thousand.
1887 - Land was acquired at Langwarrin for the establishment of a permanent Militia training camp.
1888 - The Victorian Rangers were formed. These were volunteer infantry rifle companies ^ located in country areas. Again, their membership was largely drawn from the rifle clubs.
1890 - Two battalions of infantry were added to metropolitan regiments and a 40-pounder Battery was installed at Hastings to protect Westernport.
1897 - David Syme of The Age newspaper family donated two thousand pounds to send a Victorian team to contest the Kolapore Cup match at now famous Bisley range in England. Victoria won.
1899 - The VRA introduced an affiliation scheme to reduce membership costs and 78 civilian clubs affiliated for competition purposes by 1901. The yearly VRA medals were introduced with one being awarded to each club annually.
1899 - The Anglo-Boer War erupted and with patriotic fever running high, the colonies offered 2500 troops and organized public subscriptions for equipment. In all, 16,175 troops were sent. The Victorian Mounted Rifles served in every phase of the conflict and acquitted themselves very well.
1901 - Federation of Australia. Victorian forces were taken over by the Commonwealth Government. Victoria’s strength at this point was - Permanents 389; Militia 3586; Volunteers 2462
Senior Cadets 534
Under the Constitution of 1901, Australian rifle clubs were provided for under the Defence Act. They functioned under Army control and were part of the reserve forces.
1921 - Rifle clubs were reconstituted as a purely civilian organization under the Permanent Head of the Department of Defence.
1931 - Rifle clubs were again placed under control of the Military Board as reservists to the citizens’ military forces.
1940 - Rifle clubs were part of the Mobilization and received orders of allotment to various units. The clubs were then placed in recess for the duration of the war.
1941 - Privately owned and loaned military .303 rifles were impressed. (Match rifles were exempt). There were exemptions - rifles owned by members who were active in the Volunteer Defence Corps as vulnerability point guards, and also those of professional hunters.
1946 - The clubs were now allowed out of recess and competition recommenced.
1960 - This year saw the start of severing of ties with the military command and the loss of subsidies. Up until this time, the rifle clubs had received heavily subsidized equipment and free ammunition on a per capita effective status basis. Travel to ranges on public transport was also subsidized. Even as recently as 1988 members were still required to swear an oath of allegiance as a member of the reserve forces. The clubs were still under the direct control of the Minister of Defence and his Director of Rifle Clubs.
1998 - The Defence Act was repealed and so ended the relationship between the defence of Australia and the rifle clubs. Target rifle shooting became just another sport with historical military connections like discus, javelin, fencing and archery.
Success of the Volunteer Systems and the Rifle Clubs
Success of the system as part of a defence system is hard to judge. The most successful system would seem to be the one that never needed to be used. Australia has used its military forces to assist in wars commenced by others, choosing to meet the enemy -perceived or otherwise - on someone else’s shores. However it is certain that many, many Australians entered these conflicts better prepared because they were already competent shooters from the rifle club movement. A bronze plaque on the gates of Sydney’s Anzac Rifle Range proclaimed in 1914, that of the 56,000 National Rifle Club members, 50,000 enlisted.
VRA Clubs and Numbers
Prior to 1885 the VRA had been a strictly promotional body. Not until the act of parliament that permitted the formation of Melbourne Rifle Club did it administer clubs. I have been unable to locate the numbering book, but from analysis of known club numbers it appears that after 75 clubs had been authorized it was decided to allocate identifying numbers to them. The existing clubs were arranged in alphabetical order. Thus the No.1 club was Amphitheatre, No. 2 Apollo Bay. Melbourne Club - the first formed - was allotted No. 43. Yackandandah was No. 75.
After this initial numbering exercise it appears that a block of 200 numbers were allocated and the clubs numbered as they were formed - in alphabetical groups within this. There were gaps left within A to Z for more clubs to be alphabetically added. Some of these gaps were never filled and at some point of time the clubs were simply assigned the next number. It can be said with some certainty that clubs numbered 1 to 75 were formed in 1886 and that clubs number 76 to 275 were formed prior to the end of 1887.
After WW11, the VRA issued some newly formed clubs with the numbers that had not been previously allotted, or those of clubs that had disbanded. Thus Ringwood, not formed until 1954, was given No. 54. Victorian Sporting Shooters' Club formed in 1954 was given No. 55 - the former Pidgeon Ponds number - and so on. There are many such examples so clubs need to check before assuming a low number means that their club is amongst the founders. One current club claims it was formed in 1856, which is hard to reconcile with 1885 Act. The highest number recorded is 672 for RAAF Station, Laverton, formed in 1952. Clubs formed after this were given old numbers as previously explained. After 1969, numbers were not allocated at all. (As a matter of policy the VRA Archives have now issued these clubs with a 700 series number for filing identification purposes).
It appears that over the last 100 years Victoria has had around 700 civilian rifle clubs. Rifle clubs formed within military units that competed in the VRA competitions were seen as VRA clubs and were numbered. This practice appears to have occurred from the mid-1930s until the late 1950s.
There are several examples of clubs being re-numbered perhaps after long periods of inactivity. For example Pombomeit, which was in operation in 1907, was re-numbered 657 when it reformed in 1950.
Some known club formation dates give a picture of the growth of the movement although not totally accurate as clubs were disbanded for various reasons along the way.
No. 43 Melbourne - 1885
No. 390 Roseberry - 1904
No. 444 Gellibrand - 1906
No. 507 Corangamite - 1911
No. 550 Dunkeld - 1924
No. 603 Yallourn - 1929
No. 630 New Caledonia - 1934
No. 650 Bandiana Area - 1949
No. 672 RAAF Laverton - 1952
Administration of the Rifle Clubs and the Rifle Club Unions/ District Rifle Associations
In both pre- and post-Federation periods, the administration of the rifle clubs as a defence reserve in respect of funding and overall control fell to the Ministry of Defence. Daily administration was the responsibility of a regular Army officer such as Colonel Tom Price in pre-Federation Victoria. Under his direct supervision there was an Inspector of Rifle Ranges who was the person responsible for the construction and maintenance of ranges.
Competition, promotion and regulation were the brief of state rifle associations. In Victoria the individual clubs reported directly to the VRA but the State was also divided geographically into twenty-one unions of rifle clubs later called District Rifle Associations.
This had a defence purpose but was mainly for administration and competition. The unions were manned by elected representatives from each club within the relative union. They looked after local issues and ran inter-club competitions generally named 'Shield' or 'Pennant' series. Each union ran a closed prize meeting for members of that union only. They conducted a District Championship for the individual Club Champions with the winner going on to contest the annual State Champion of Champions match. Each union also appointed a team to contest the State Teams Championship. Most unions also ran prize meetings open to any affiliated shooter from any union, the entry fees being an excellent source of revenue. Rifle shooting has always operated as a professional sport although a competitor could contest as an amateur within the system by donating the prize money back to the relevant promoting body. Twice VRA Grand Aggregate Winner, Gina Black was an amateur. Neville Travina of Geelong Rifle Club also shoots as an amateur.
Equipment
Rifles
Prior to 1870 there was a great variety of arms held by the colonies and little uniformity between them. The British troops were armed with the ubiquitous 'Brown Bess’, this term covering a number of different pattern smoothbore muskets which were used in the earliest competitions. In 1855 the Lancaster carbine was adopted into British service. A number of these found their way to Victoria and were favoured in competition shooting. After 1866 the Snider breech-loading system became available and Snider Enfields and Henry rifles were used. Consistency finally came with the Martini-Henry .450 of 1871 and competitions were conducted in all colonies with these. A conversion to the .303 cartridge in 1896 saw the Martini-Enfield MK11 imported and used extensively by the rifle clubs. These early arms are covered in detail in two excellent publications - Australian Service Long Arms by Ian Skinnerton and The Target Rifle in Australia 1860-1900 by J.E.Corcoran. Around the time of Federation, large quantities of Magazine Lee Enfield rifles were purchased by all state governments and most were eventually issued or sold to the rifle clubs. They were to remain the issue reservist rifle until 1936, mainly due to the large quantities of ammunition still in store for this rifle. The Government Small Arms Factory at Lithgow began production in 1912 manufacturing the Short Magazine Lee Enfield (SMLE) No.1 Mklll but it was not made available to the rifle clubs until 1936 and not permitted in competition until then. When it was released a conversion was also carried out on many long rifles to suit the higher velocity ammunition designed for the SMLE.
The SMLE was a remarkable rifle and remained in Australian service until the late 1950s when it was replaced by the LI A1 Self-Loading Rifle. (The SMLE in telescoped version was to remain the 'Sniper' issue rifle until 1979). At the Lithgow factory work had commenced on the SLR in 1955 and in 1956 the last batch of SMLE rifles were produced. As the SLR came into service the SMLE, like its forerunner the Long Magazine Lee Enfield, became the reservist issue arm until the .303 ammunition was exhausted - the SLR was chambered for the 7.62 NATO round.
By the late 1960s it became apparent that a major change would have to occur in the target movement. The numerous established ranges and competitions revolved around long range single shot precision shooting, whereas the military were now arming for close contact warfare with selective fire weapons (those which would self-load for individual, burst or automatic fire). The 0.303 cartridge was obsolete and government funding had slowed to a trickle. The military and the rifle associations were now on diverging paths.
It was certain that the 7.62 NATO cartridge would have to be adopted for rifle club use but it was thought that the SMLE action was not strong enough for conversion to this round. Obviously a new rifle was required. Lithgow set to and produced a single shot version of the SLR but this proved unsatisfactory. The solution was provided by Sportco, a South Australian based manufacturer of sporting firearms. Their single shot target rifle, the 7.62 Sportco (later called the Omark) was so successful that it is still in use today.
Rifle club regulations were amended - a single shot rifle chambered in 7.62 NATO with weight and other limitation. This opened the doors for many specialized target rifles and conversions of Mauser and No.4 Lee Enfield rifles that were thought strong enough. Proof testing at Lithgow was required for such conversions. By the early 1970s the SMLE .303 had disappeared from the scene except for service and historical matches.
The previous level playing field of Army issue rifles and ammunition now only revolved around the cartridge that was produced by the Government Ammunition Factory at Footscray. This was not to remain long either as the Army moved to a 5.56 cartridge fired from a Styer selective fire rifle, the 7.62 round being retained for machinegun use only. When the ammunition factory was moved to Wangaratta they were unwilling, or unable to make a cartridge of sufficient quality to satisfy the target movement. As a consequence, hand loading of ammunition was permitted at the start of 1991 initially only using the military projectile. However the batch quality of these projectiles was inconsistent and in consequence an American Sierra match projectile was adopted. This put Australia in line with overseas competitions, but now it meant our rifle clubs had no connection with the military at all.
A comparison of the regulation cartridges appears in appendix 1.
Targets
Target size and scoring obviously reflected the accuracy of the rifle and ammunition and therefore tended to change as new rifles were introduced. They were also tied to some degree to those used in international competition. Until 1876-78 targets were made of iron with the scoring zones scribed and painted. After this time they were made of canvas stretched over a wooden frame, this apparently being introduced by a Lieutenant Keating at Wimbledon in 1876 and patented. With some change in facing material, targets of this design are in use to this day.
In most competitions each shot was individually scored and their exact position on the target indicated, thus giving the competitor vital feed back for the next shot. This obviously required a “marker” to be stationed at the target. With the heavy iron targets the marker had a hut or trench to take cover in while the shot was fired. Once fired, he would 'expose himself' to indicate the position of the shot, signal its score and paint-out the strike mark! A seemingly risky business, but there is only one record of an accident (non-fatal) at Williamstown, the state range. Later, the light Keating targets were mounted on sliding frames, which descended into a pit providing total safety. The shot hole could then be covered (patched out) with a glued patch of paper. A coloured disk secured to a stick was then inserted into the current shot hole to indicate its position and the target slid back up, the score was also signaled by the marker.
Generally targets have been white in colour with a black inner section known as the aiming mark and were originally square in shape particularly at shorter ranges. However by 1880 the targets had a circular aiming mark. Later the targets were divided into a series of scoring rings, the number and size of which changed greatly over the years and with the type of competition. Comparison of changes in target size is of interest, but I list below only the 'bullseye' or highest scoring ring as it gives some meaning to the exercise without reams of figures. For the pre-1864 square bullseyes' I have converted the area to diameter, which gives a reasonable comparison.
Around 1866 targets were referred to in classes: 1st Class - 700,800 and 900 yards.
2nd Class - 500 and 600 yards. 3rd Class - 300 and 400 yards. This definition remains today.
1880 - As 1864 but the 300 bullseye was circular and there were five scoring rings - 5,4, 3,2, and 1.
1899 - As before but the 0.303 cartridge was now in use and those still using the .455 Martini Henry were afforded a handicap advantage of plusl at 600 and 700, plus 2 at 800, plus 3 at 900 yards.
1900 - Handicap was adjusted to plus 1 at 500, plus 2 at 600 and 700, plus 3 at 800, plus 4 at 900 yards.
1922 8 18 20 20 20 36 36
1933 9 9 18 20 24 36 36
Coincided with the introduction of the SMLE and Mk7 cartridge.
1933 amended 7.5 12 15 15 24 30 30
1979 6.3 9.1 13.5 13.5 18.11 25 25
This size reduction reflects the 7.62 cartridge and the improved
accuracy of dedicated target rifles.
2003 5.5 8 10.6 13 15.75 24 24
This further reduction resulted from the introduction of the more consistent Sierra match projectile.
During the 1950s a ring within the bullseye was introduced called a 'centre'. This scored 5.1 points and was used to resolve tied scores. From the late 1930s to the late 1950s the aiming mark at 300 yards was a tin hat or semi circle and this was also used at 500 yards for some time. The gradual reduction in target size mainly reflects the advancement of technology, cartridge and barrel.
However an interesting question is, how much does it also reflect improvements in the skill of the marksman? It is beyond the scope of this work to argue this but it is worth some consideration. A dedicated target shooter can become very proficient at firing repeated shots close to the accuracy of his rifle and ammunition and yet fail in competition due to his inability to read changes in conditions. At the longer ranges particularly, the slightest change in wind strength or direction will affect the position of the shot on the target, it is therefore vital that these changes be recognized and compensated for, before the next shot is fired.
Some people can read the wind very well; some struggle for years and never get the vaguest grip on the problem. Certainly there are basic 'do's and don'ts' well written about and ‘standard’ wind-indicating flags at every range but the subtlety seems to lie in the unsatisfactory 'you either can or you can't'. The competition will be won by the shooter best able to read and respond to these changes, except on the rare days of constant conditions. As there is no way of measuring and recording this 'condition reading ability' there is no way of knowing if the skill of the marksman has improved over the ages. The general feeling seems to be that it hasn't.
Doncaster Rifle Club at 600 yards, c1912 (DP0370. The range, McGowan's Road, Donvale. The background is thick bush.
Range Equipment
In all sports it is obviously necessary to standardize the equipment and facilities as much as possible. Target shooting is no exception and with the military involvement it will be no surprise that everything possible was drawn up and detailed ‘to regulation’- from target frames, shooting mounds and butts, to telephone communication etc. Some examples are copied for interest. See appendix 2.
The Matches
A typical club day has always involved three ten-shot matches sometimes at the same distance, sometimes at three different distances. All ranges ran to 600 yards, perhaps half to the full 900 yards. As there have been few newly constructed ranges, none in this State have been laid out in metres. A one-day prize meeting is typically three ten-shot matches at three distances generally in increasing length - 300, 500 and 600 yards or a long-range at 700, 800 and 900 yards. The Queen's Prize generally involves eight matches over three days. Day 1 - 300, 500 and 600 yards, Day 2 - 700, 800 and 900 yards and Day 3, 800 and 900 yards again.
There is an added problem to prize meetings, 'the luck of the draw'. A Queen's Prize may have three hundred competitors and even with twenty targets in use, it could take two hours to complete each range. The first detail at nine o’clock might be shot in overcast light with a choppy following wind. The last batch of competitors two hours later might see sunlight and still conditions. However, the top twenty shooters are often the same people!
Sources:
- Blannan, Major. A. Hasty Notes of a Flying Trip with the Victorian Rifle Team in 1876. Melbourne, 1887.
- Calder, Winty. Heroes and Gentlemen. Canterbury, Vic. Jimaringle Publications, 1985. Corcoran, J.E. The Target Rifle in Australia 1860 -1900. New York. R&R Books, 1995. The National Archives.
- Skennerton, Ian D. Australian Service Long Arms. Margate, Qld. I.D. Skennerton, 1976. Varzenty, G. Military Forces of Victoria 1857 to 1967. Publishing details unknown.
- The Victorian Review, vol. 1,1861. Victorian Government Printing Office.
- The VRA Archives.
- Ward, George. Victorian Land Forces 1853 to 1883. Croydon, Vic. G. F. Ward, 1989.
Doncaster Rifle Club No 337 Circa 1900 - 1939 (No. 20 Union)
Doncaster Rifle Club was originally founded around the turn of the last century. Their range was next to the old Morning Star Foundry site where the Eastern Freeway now goes under Doncaster Rd. They shot south up the gully that is now the freeway. This range was lost quite early as an application was made to the Department of Defence for a new range in 1911, sited at the other end of the District, off the lower end of Spring vale Rd. The targets were in fact in Warrandyte, just across Deep (Mullum Mullum) Creek. The range stretched over private properties owned by Mary Hislop and John Smith, and the safety zone extended over a further four properties so the shooting rights were quite complicated. Obviously it helped that most of this land was owned by club members.
The range was to 600 yards and had two-pipe frame targets, each carrying two targets -one up one down. These were arranged in a pit with a sliding roof (like Lang Lang uses to this day). Firing was into a hill that rose 160ft above the targets forming the backstop and the 600yard mound was an elevated platform. They were a strong club by all accounts and by 1918 had over sixty efficient members plus seven away, serving with the Australian Infantry Force.
The earliest report of their activities in The Evelyn Observer is of an away match, fired at Warrandyte on the 12th of November 1901. The team is recorded as Captain D. Laurie, E. Lawford, L. H. Smith, G. H. Thiele, John Smith, W. Ireland, Tom Petty, H. Hislop, T. Church and J. Townsend. Further reports are elusive until one from the newspaper on the 9th of September 1913 which recorded that The Don Lawford Trophy for newcomers was won by E. Bullen 202 points, from W. Wicking 201, and G. Adams 199.
Gellibrand Rifle Club visited Doncaster on the 20th of June 1914. This must have been quite an expedition! Doncaster was victorious with 584 points to 530. Top scorers for Doncaster were G. Adams 63, A. Thiele 62, and W. Ireland 62. For Gellibrand - Captain Hill 65, Bcwes 57 and Trotter 56. There was a special meeting held on Saturday night, the 22™ of December 1915 to 'farewell Mr. Temple Crouch, the best shot in the club who has joined the Expeditionary Forces'.
He was presented with an engraved wristwatch depicting a soldier. Thirteen members of Doncaster saw service in WW1 - J. Crouch, J. Dyer, H. Fromhold, F. Graves, J. Longmore, G.Ubergang, D.Laurie, A. Ireland, G. Lloyd, W. Rieschrieck, T. Toogood, F. Williams and C. Prior. The only other information is that J. A. Laurie and T. Crouch competed in the 1926 King's Prize without success, and in 1930 S. Cropley, J. Laurie, J. Galvin, S. Ireland, C. Toogood, and W. Ireland were regular competitors. They were certainly active in No. 20 Union and I have found reports of them defeating Upper Yarra on Easter Saturday 1933 -362 points to 361 - and going on to win the Pennant series for 1933 with S. Cropley, the Captain being top score.
The range certainly operated until the outbreak of hostilities and, was also used by the Volunteers Defence Force (VDC) during WW11. Bill Tucker reported that up until 1946 the range was in excellent condition and one of the best constructed in Victoria. When he again visited in 1951 it had been badly vandalized. Doncaster Rifle Club was never again to be reformed and it was officially disbanded on May 5th 1953. An interesting adjunct to Doncaster's target shooting days was a ladies miniature rifle range situated in Doncaster Rd near Wittens Lane that operated between the wars.
Doncaster - Known members
Captains: D. Laurie and S. Cropley.
G. Adams;; E. Bullen;; G. Cameron; T. Church; H. Clay; S. Cropley; T. Crouch; J. Galvin; H. Hislop; D. Kenny; B. Laurie; J. Laurie; T. Laurie;; E. Lawford; S. Ireland; T. Ireland; W. Ireland; M. Miles; H. De; Mole; E. Payne; E. Petty; T. Petty; W. Rieschieck; J. Russell; J. Sell; H. Serpell; P. Sharp; L. Smith; J. Smith; A.Thiele; G. Thiele; W. Thomas; W. Vettler; W. Wicking; A. Zerbe; Mr. Farqhuar; S. Laurie; J. Townsend; D. Sutherland; C. Toogood; J. Dyer; H. Fromhold; F. Graves; A. Longmore; G. Ubergang; A. Ireland; G. Lloyd; T. Toogood; F. Williams; C. Prior
Sources:
- Eric Collier. Research material and photograph. The Age newspaper.
- The National Archives.
- The VRA Archives.
Doncaster Rifle Club, circa 1912.
Back row L-R: L Smith; D Kenny; B Laurie; G Cameron; Mr Farquar; W Vettler; H De Mole; A Zebra; D Sutherland;
Front group L-R: A. Thiele; H. Clay; E. Lawford jnr; D. Laurie; J Laurie; T Crouch; E Lawford; J Smith; E Payre; H Thiele; Unknown; W Thomas; E Petty
Templestowe Rifle Club No. 522 1915-1939 (No. 20 Union)
This was a new club formed in 1915. Its only range was located opposite the very end of Blackburn Rd. on private property owned by Messrs. A. Andrew and R. Webster. Orientation was two degrees NW. The backstop was a hill that much later was to become the famous Templestowe Motor Racing Hillclimb. It was equipped with one pipe frame machine with two targets - one up one down, in a pit - and mounds to 600 yards. The Club was granted forty-five pounds for construction and range work was completed on the 17th of January 1916. Competition began immediately.
Templestowe was a member of No. 20 Union, always affiliated and a regular competitor in the Pennant series. I have had little success finding reports of their activities save one report of a Pennant match against Upper Yarra on the 4th of October 1929. It was a nine- a-side, seven- to- count match, from 600 yards fired at Templestowe. The visitors won by some twenty points. This report also gives us some member names listed below.
The range was destroyed in the disastrous 1939 bushfires and never rebuilt. Some members moved over to Doncaster but the war was soon upon them with one of their members Julian Serpell, serving with the RAAF in Europe.
Templestowe did not reform after WW11.
Known Members.
G. Adams, O. Chefler, H. Lovig, F. Neal, W. Ross snr, W. Ross, D. J. Serpell, H. Smith, W. Farqhuar, D. Lawford, L. Mahoney, J. Sell, R. Sell, E. Miles, A. Caunter, R. McKenzie, H. Aumann, Captain H. Ladd.
Sources:
- The National Archives.
- Julian Serpell. Appendix 4.
Proposal for Templestowe Range construction by Inspector of Rifle Ranges, 1915.
Source: Rifle Clubs of the Yarra Valley - a historical perspective from 1885 - 2000 (Extract). Reprinted with permission of Author, David Rapley. May2023. No NLA record, No ISBN.
Rifle Shooting
With the outbreak of the Boer War in 1900, patriotic men formed rifle clubs and built rifle ranges. The Doncaster Rifle Range was built at the end of McGowans Road on Deep Creek. A smaller club built a miniature rifle range and clubhouse on Doncaster Road near the present intersection with Whittens Lane, and was looked after by the Thiele brothers. Also, ladies rifle shoots were conducted in a paddock alongside Koonung Creek.
1900-1914 Doncaster Rifle Club Miniature Rifle Range, Doncaster Road, opposite Henry Thiele's store. The range was for use of .22 calibre rifles. Small shed with 12-paned window. Verandahs front and back. Open shed in the back at a distance. The range is fenced approx 12 feet wide. Henry Thiele's sons looked after the range. DP0621
Early 1900s. Doncaster Rifle Club. Ladies shooting in a paddock adjacent to the Koonung Creek. DP0299
Source: Doncaster - A Short History By Eric Collyer (2013) Published by Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society, 12 Blair Street Warrandyte VIC 3113. National Library of Australia Card Number and ISBN 978 0 947353 04 9 - Original Scan
Doncaster Rifle Club
The usual monthly spoon competition will be fired at Port Melbourne next Saturday, May 27, at 5-600 yards. On Saturday, June 3, a match will be fired at 2-300 yards against the Toora rifle club at Port Melbourne, to be followed by a dinner and theatre party. On Monday, June 5, the Donecaster team will visit Cockatoo Creek, where a match will be fired against the Emerald rifle club. Members of the club desiring to attend the above mentioned functions are requested to communicate with the vice-captain at once.1911 'Doncaster Rifle Club.', The Reporter (Box Hill, Vic. : 1889 - 1925), 26 May, p. 4. , viewed 05 Feb 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article89696689
Doncaster Rifle Club
TThe deferred spoon shoot of above was held on Saturday, March 3. The veteran shot, in the person of Mr. J. Smith, who is always a consistent shot, secured the honors of tho day by win-ing first spoon. The shooting was well up to the average. Scores:— Score. Hcp. Total. J. Smith .. .. .. .. 48 3 50 E. Miles .. .. .. .. 43 7 50 A. Thiele .. .. .. .. 47 1 48 W. Reischeck .. .. 46 1 47 P. H. Sharp .. .. .. 43 3 46 J. Hewish .. .. .. .. 45 1 46 W. P. Vettler .. .. 43 3 46 J. R. Smith .. .. .. 40 5 45 J. Russell .. .. .. 38 7 43 H. Thiele .. .. .. .. 36 7 43 O. Zerbe .. .. .. .. 37 5 42 H. J. Bleauchue .. 29 8 37 Musketry, March 10. "I have something to tell you," said the young man, with a slightly embarrassed air, to the small daughter of the house. "After the party last night your sister Kitty promised to marry me. I hope you won't bear me any grudge for taking her away from you?" "Of course not," replied the small sister cheerfully. "Why, that's what the party was for!"1917 'DONCASTER RIFLE CLUB.', The Reporter (Box Hill, Vic. : 1889 - 1925), 9 March, p. 5. , viewed 05 Feb 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75167156
Rifle range c1914. Group of shooters at the Templestowe Rifle Range situated north of Warrandyte Road in the vicinity of Target Road. The club was formed in 1914. Nearly all the men have suits and hats, and there is one man in army uniform. DP0530
Rifle Club Meet c1900-1910? Group of men, women and children, all very well dressed, attending a function possibly a Rifle Club event. There is an orchard in the background presumably in the Doncaster area. Four women are holding rifles, also four men. There is a man dressed in military uniform. All the people are probably locals but only John Tully and August Zerbe can be identified. DP1405
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