The event, on September 14-16, attracted shooters repre-senting NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Australian Capital Territory and New Caledonia.  

Although the practice day on Thursday proved to be trying, with extremely gusty winds, the weather conditions gradually improved over the competition. Although windy, the sun shone and the days were pleasant.  

The range was in excellent condition thanks to the Inverell members, Bevan Hertrick, Geoff Morris, Don Campbell, Tom Fraser, Carmel Ebben, Sue Shoemark and, Laurie Faulkner.  

Positive comments were made throughout the weekend about the range, the food and the friendliness of the members. 

Gun checks were performed on the Thursday afternoon and throughout the event by Brian Marsden and John Harding, while squadding was performed by David Dewsbury of Narrabri.  

Ray Andrews, the president of Pistol Australia travelled over from Western Australia to attend the event, to open the championships and to assist in the presentation of the National trophies. 

On Friday Ray opened the competition and Geoff Mackay, Inverell RSM Pistol Club’s president, welcomed the shooters and wished them well in the championships.

While a number of people stayed in Inverell, an equal amount camped at the Delungra range.  The Inverell RSM Pistol Club operates two ranges, one at Inverell and one at Delungra. The Delungra Range is a metallic silhouette range.

On Saturday Night the Inverell RSM Pistol Club hosted a dinner at the Riverside Restaurant in Inverell. Thirty eight people attended the dinner. 

The New Caledonia team enjoyed the competition, the food and our bush scenery. 

They even got to view some of our native animals in their natural habitat, and managed to capture a photo of a large goanna crossing the track while heading back from the range.

Shooters enjoyed the competition, with a number breaking grades, including Bevan Hertrick and Tom Fraser from the local club, and by the end of the competition there was little need for the ‘c grade trophies.

At the conclusion of the competition, on Sunday, the national trophies were presented by Ray Andrews and Rob Boutcher from NSWAPA. The 2012 Aggregate champions were: 4 Match Aggregate Bruce Dunbar of NSW on 145; Women’s Aggregate Judy Harding of Qld on 134; while Junior Aggregate was not contested.

The 2012 National Champ-ions were: Production Philip Williams of NSW on 40; Revolver John Harding of Qld on 39; Standing John Harding of Qld on 28; and Unlimited Kim Emery of ACT on 40.

Open Teams winners were: Production ACT, Cheyene Fischer and Kim Emery scoring 80; Revolver NSW, David Dewsbury and Bruce Dunbar, scoring 77; Standing Qld, Judy Harding and Scott Dawson, scoring 49; and Unlimited ACT,  Cheyene Fischer and Kim Emery, scoring 80.

Teams Aggregate was won by NSW scoring 284 while Womens Teams Aggregate was won by Qld, Judy Harding and Kellie Coleman, 

Unlimited Half Scale top guns were: 1st Scott Dawson; 2nd Kim Emery; and 3rd Geoff Edwards.

Bevan Hertrick and Tom Fraser represented our club in the shoot and both took home trophies, even with grades being broken. Tom took out second in A grade Production with a score of 27, second in A grade Revolver scoring 28, fifth in B grade Standing, and first in B grade Unlimited with a score of 26; while Bevan came first in B grade Production with a score of 22, third in  A grade Revolver scoring 28, seventh in B grade Standing, and fourth in B grade Unlimited.

The Inverell RSM Pistol Club is now looking forward to holding its own shoot in February and welcoming many of the national shooters back to the region.

Monthly competitions are held on the second Sunday of each month if you would like to see the Delungra Range in action.