DECEMBER 2008 NEWSLETTER

· Enclosures. The following notices are enclosed with this Newsletter:

o Calendar 2009 with 2010 draft

o Minutes of the Board Meeting held 24 November 2008 (Club Secretaries only)

o Nomination Form for the Board of QRA

· Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. The President and Board of QRA extend their best wishes for Christmas and New Year to the Clubs and Members of QRA.

· Office Closure. The Office will be closed for the festive season at 4.30 pm on 17 December 2008 and reopen on 5 January 2009.

· Q Store Closure. The Q Store will be closed from 14 December 2008 and reopen on 15 January 2009.

· Accommodation. Accommodation is available throughout the Christmas break. Please call Peter O’More on 0422 483500.

· Zero Range. Members are reminded that the Zero Range cannot be used without the shooter signing a Range Register. During the Christmas break the Zero Range can be accessed by contacting Peter O’More.

· 2009 Calendar. Attached is the 2009 Calendar. The 2010 draft calendar is also attached and if clubs and DRAs could advise their plans for 2010, that would be most helpful.

· Queensland Rifle Team – Belmont 2009. Rob Cadden and Bill Baker have been confirmed as coaches for the Queensland Team to compete at the National Teams Championships at Belmont in August 2009. The shooting squad has been refined to 14 (listed below) and the final selections will be made closer to the competition.

Ashley Bidgood David Brown Tim Berry

Andrew Burns Colin Cole George Edser

Geoff Grosskreutz John Hislop Andrew Mayfield

Kim O’Loghlen Rodney Prayle Rob Rush

Lee Robinson Don Thompson

· Nominations for Board. In accordance with the rotation policy, nominations are called for the positions of 2 Board members, Geoff Grosskreutz and Gordon Duncan. The nomination form is enclosed.

· Country V City Match/Champion of Champions. The Champion of Champions and Country versus City Teams Matches will be held as follows:

4 Apr AM Champions of Champions

PM practice alongside MDRA.

A BBQ will held in the evening.

5 Apr Country v City Teams matches

Nominations are called for coordinators of the Country and City teams. It is planned that the coordinators will work in conjunction with the State Selectors to call for teams. The closing date for nomination of these coordinators is 31 January.

· Club Returns. Club returns have been distributed to all clubs. It would be appreciated if these could be returned as quickly as possible. It should be noted that clubs are being requested to advise an email contact if possible.

· Veterans. All veterans are invited to an open meeting to be held at Belmont on 31 January 2009 to discuss future support to veterans teams. A BBQ is to be held in conjunction with the meeting. An individual invitation will soon be forwarded to all veterans.

· ATR Dates. Dates for submission of notices and copy for inclusion in the ATR are shown below:

#79 March-April (Deadline January 16)

#80 May-June (Deadline March 13)

#81 July-August (Deadline May 15)

#82 September-October: (Deadline July 17)

#83 November- December: (Deadline September 18)

#84January – February: (Deadline November 13)

NOVEMBER 2008 NEWSLETTER

· Enclosures. The following documents and notices are enclosed with this Newsletter:

o Minutes of Board Meeting 27 October 2008 (Clubs only)

o WDRA OPM Notice

o Member Fee Schedule 2009

o Nomination Form for the Board of QRA

· Membership 1 Jan – 31 Dec 09

NRA QRA TOTAL TOTAL

W’O ATR WITH ATR

FULL MEMBER 33.00 65.00 98.00 131.00

FULL JUNIOR (UNDER 21) 16.50 35.00 51.50 84.50

FIELD AND RIMFIRE 33.00 32.50 65.50 98.50

F & R JUNIOR (UNDER 21) 16.50 16.00 32.50 65.50

· Range Registers. Clubs are reminded that Range Officers must check the shooter has their licence in their possession when the Register is signed and sign off each entry on the Range Register. This is not a new requirement: it has been this way for over 10 years. It is also important that the Form 33 is correctly completed by unlicensed shooters, which includes the requirement for the Range Officer to sight photographic identification. If the identification is not provided, the person is not permitted to shoot.

· Zero Range. Members are reminded that the Zero Range at Belmont cannot be used without the shooter signing a Range Register. If shooting with Phoenix Club on Thursday, you must sign their Register. On Saturdays, sign your Club Register. All other times please complete the Register at the Office and pay the range fee.

· Nominations for President, Board and Council. In accordance with the rotation policy, nominations are called for the positions of 2 Board members. The nomination form is enclosed.

· Queensland Team – Bisley 2009. It is intended that a Queensland Team will compete at Bisley in July 2009. Nominations are called for the positions of Captain, Manager, Wind Coaches and Shooters for the Team. Nominations are to be forwarded to the Executive Officer by 21 November 2008. This team is fully self funded.

· Membership Target. We are pleased to advise that the membership target of 1000 full bore and field and rimfire members set last year has already been exceeded reaching 1068. Congratulations to Clubs who are actively working at increasing their membership, and to the Marketing and Development Committee.

· Club Assistance Grants. More clubs have recently taken advantage of the club assistance grants to cover capital and clubhouse upgrades. If clubs wish any more information about the grants available, please contact the Executive Officer of your Councillor.

· AGM and Country V City Match/Champion of Champions. The AGM, Champion of Champions and Country versus City Teams Matches will be held as follows:

3 Apr AGM to commence at 1.00 pm, followed by the Workshop, then dinner.

4 Apr AM Champions of Champions and PM practice alongside MDRA. A BBQ will held in the evening.

5 Apr Country v City Teams matches.

· Founding Date of QRA. Material recently obtained from the John Oxley Library shows that the formation of the QRA was actually in 1860. As such the QRA is the oldest sporting body in Queensland.

· Health and Safety Levy. All organisations holding explosives ‘sell’ licences are required to pay a ‘Health and Safety’ levy. This is an annual fee imposed by the Queensland Government. A letter has been written to the Department of Mines and Energy on behalf of all clubs requesting reconsideration of this levy.

· Office Closure. The Office will be closed for the festive season at 4.30pm on 17 December 2008 and reopen on 5 January 2009.

· Q Store Closure. The Q Store will be closed from 14 December 2008 and reopen on 15 January 2009.

· Accommodation. Accommodation is available throughout the Christmas break.

· Domain Space. Last year an offer was made to clubs for domain hosting at $99 per year. The intention was that a club would create their own web pages and upload them remotely from a home computer, once the initial set up is done by QRA’s ISP. By using this system we would project a corporate image as the site name would be www.xxrc.qldrifle.com. Ipswich and District RC has taken advantage of this offer www.ipswichrifle.qldrifle.com and it is hoped that others will see value in developing in this direction. If any clubs wish to take advantage of this offer, please call Meredith at the Office to discuss.

· Email Addresses. We would like to continue to expand contact with members via email (there are now 150 members on the list). If individual Club members wish to receive this Newsletter by email, please send your email address to the Executive Officer QRA. If you have previously notified an email address but have not been receiving news lately, please confirm that the Office has the correct address.

· Visit the Website. The website www.qldrifle.com is continually being upgraded with more information being posted each week. Please visit the site often.

AUGUST 2008 NEWSLETTER

· Enclosures. The following documents and notices are enclosed with this Newsletter:

o Minutes of Board Meeting 8 August 2008 (Clubs only)

o Minutes of the Special General Meeting 13 August 2008 (Clubs only)

o Minutes of the Council Meeting 13 August 2008 (Clubs only)

o NRAA Incident Report Form (link from Newsletters web page)

o New Member Fee Schedule (October to December 2008)

· Membership 1 Oct – 31 Dec 08

NRA QRA TOTAL TOTAL

W/O ATR W/ATR

FULL MEMBER 8.25 16.25 24.50

FULL JUNIOR (UNDER 21) 4.15 8.75 12.90

FIELD AND RIMFIRE 8.25 8.15 16.40

F & R JUNIOR (UNDER 21) 4.15 4.00 8.15

· Queens 2008. Queens 2008 was a great success with 263 competitors, an increase of 66 from last year. Especially pleasing were the number of B and C Grade shooters who participated. Next year with the State Teams here for the National Teams Matches we expect an entry of 350. To fit the Teams Matches in, please note the Queens will finish on Sunday 16 August. The programme for 2009 will be:

o 8 August MDRA OPM

o 9-11 August National Teams Matches

o 11 August Optical Championships (on the International Range)

o 12-13 August Duncan

o 14-16 August Queens

Please plan your attendance for next year well ahead.

· History. The QRA History Committee held a historic meeting with the Director of the Centre for Applied History and Heritage Studies and other representatives from the University of Queensland on Wed 23 July 2008. UQ’s School of History, Philosophy, Religion and Classics is formalising arrangements to engage a post graduate student to compile the history of the QRA over the period 2009-2010, for publication in 2011 in time for the World Long Range Championships. President John Johnstone has been personally guiding this project and is proud to announce that prospective students will be interviewed in November for selection in December. All members are welcome to contribute to the history project; please contact the Office.

· Range Registers. Clubs are reminded that Range Officers must sign off each entry on the Range Register. It is also important that the Form 33 is correctly completed by unlicensed shooters, which includes the requirement for the Range Officer to sight photographic identification. If the identification is not provided, the person is not permitted to shoot.

· Incident Reporting. Clubs are reminded of the requirement to report incidents in accordance with NRAA Procedures of Best Practice. The Incident Report Form is attached.

· F Class Standard Teams Match. The NRAA has advised that a national F Class Teams Match will be introduced in 2009 with VRA being the inaugural host. The second event will be held in Canberra in November 2010. Nominations for Captain, Coach, Manager and Shooters are to be submitted to the Executive Officer by 31 October 2008.

· Prize Meetings 2009. It is intended to have the QRA Calendar advertised in the first issue of the ATR next year. To achieve this it is necessary to submit the dates to the Editor by 14 November this year. It is requested that Clubs and DRAs confirm dates they intend to conduct Prize Meetings in 2009, by 30 September.

· Development Workshops. The next Development Workshops are planned for 6/7 September, to be at Ipswich, 4/5 October at Warwick and 7/8 November at Toowoomba.

· Membership Target. We are pleased to advise that the membership target of 1000 full bore and field and rimfire members set last year has already been exceeded reaching 1028. Congratulations to Clubs who are actively working at increasing their membership, and to the Marketing and Development Committee.

· Pro Rata Fees. Attached is the pro-rata fee schedule for new members for the three months from 1 October 2008.

· Weapons Licensing Branch. Points of interest from a recent meeting with Weapons Licensing Branch officers:

o 30000 PTAs were processed in 2007.

o Licence renewals dates will now be changed to the licence holder’s birthday, except for special one year licences.

o A review of Weapons Licensing Branch is being conducted and it is likely that by 2011 there will be web based licence renewal process with more opportunity for dealers and clubs to assist members with the renewal process.

o Contemporary means of paying fees will be available (similar to driver’s licence renewals).

o There is a possibility that a new firearms licence applicant will have PTAs issued automatically as part of the application process.

o Membership details will be updated on line.

· Visit Website. The website www.qldrifle.com is continually being upgraded with more information being posted each week. Please visit the site often.

JUNE 2008 NEWSLETTER

· Enclosures. The following documents and notices are enclosed with this Newsletter:

o New Member Fee Schedule (June to December 2008)

o Minutes of Board Meeting 13 June 2008 (Clubs only)

· Membership 1 Jul – 31 Dec 08

NRA QRA TOTAL TOTAL

W/O ATR W/ATR

FULL MEMBER 16.50 32.50 49.00 64.00

FULL JUNIOR (UNDER 21) 8.25 17.50 25.75 40.75

FIELD AND RIMFIRE 16.50 16.25 32.75 47.75

F & R JUNIOR (UNDER 21) 8.25 8.00 16.25 31.25

· Pro Rata Fees. Attached is the pro-rata fee schedule for new members for the six months from 1 July 2008.

· The Queens. The Queens programme commences on 9 August with the Brisbane RC OPM, followed by the MDRA OPM on 10 August. There will be a combined aggregate between these Prize Meetings for Australian Shooting Games medals. The Optical Championships will be held on Monday 11 August with the 1000 yard Sweepstakes on the International Range commencing at 11.00 am. The Queens Series will commence with the Duncan on Tuesday 12 August and conclude on Saturday with the presentation of the Queen’s Prize. Please support your State Championships and enter early to assist the organisers.

· Visit Website. The website www.qldrifle.com is continually being upgraded with more information being posted each week. Please visit the site often.

From the NRAA

· 2011 World Championships Update (3 October to 22 October 2011). The first planning meeting of the World Championship Committee occurred on 9 April with the next scheduled for 22 August. The competition schedule has been sent to ICFRA for endorsement. Proposed dates and matches are:

3-7 Oct 11 – practice targets available for both individuals & teams
8 Oct 11 – Provincial & Composite Teams & President’s Day 1
9 Oct 11 – President’s Day 2
10 Oct 11 – World Veterans, Ages & Australia Match practice day
11 Oct 11 – Australia Match
12 Oct 11 – World Veterans & Ages Teams Championship
13-15 Oct 11 – NRAA Queens
16-19 Oct 11 – WLRC Individual
20-22 Oct 11 – WLRC Teams ‘PALMA’

· Nominations – Captain and Manager NRAA F Class Team in Bisley July 2009. NRAA will recall for nominations for both these positions in the next ATR. NRAA hopes to field a team in this competition.

· Nominations – Captain Woomera Match 2010. NRAA will host the 2010 Woomera Match in Brisbane in March 2010. A call for nominations for Captain of this team will appear in the next ATR.

· Nominations Australian Team. Rick Scoones WA has been appointed as the Captain of the Australian Teams to contest the Australia Match at Bisley in 2010 and the World Long Range Teams Match for the Palma Trophy and Australia Match at Belmont in 2011. Nominations for the positions of wind coach, shooters and master coach/tactician have been called for on the NRAA website. Nominations must be received by the NRAA no later than 15 August 2008.

· DVD Production. It has been decided to cost out having the On Target video converted to DVD for distribution to Members. Planning is also progressing to develop a DVD involving all shooting disciplines. Any Members, who have recent video footage that may assist us, please contact membership@nraa.com.au

· ICFRA Targets. In September 2007, after more than four years of debate, agreement was reached on target dimensions for international competition. Australia was actively represented in this process. In reaching agreement ICFRA requested all NRAs considerer adopting the international target domestically so as to achieve uniformity of targets world-wide. During this consideration at international level, the concept of decimal targets was debated but not supported and it was agreed that the current V, 5, 4, 3, 2 scoring system would be retained. The World Long Range Championships will continue to use the current Palma target with the X, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 scoring system.

In March 2008, a paper on the international targets was discussed at length by the NRAA Board. This complete paper is available to all those interested (domestically and internationally) via the NRAA website. Four options were debated at length with the key issues being:

o current target stock holdings by States and Territories;

o impost on clubs from a target storage perspective;

o F Class Standard use of the same target (the international target is for use by both TR and F Class Standard competitors);

o reduced ‘inner four’ scoring area;

o ongoing target dimension experimentation (with reduced scoring areas) within a number of NRAA clubs;

o perceived impact on current shooters;

o potential redistribution with TR grades;

o leverage that might be gained within AISL and ASC by NRAA moving the TR discipline towards an international standard for the first time in the modern era; and

o Supporting ICFRA’s intent of reaching international uniformity where possible.

In reaching the decision to adopt the international target domestically, the Board weighed up the advantages and disadvantages of each option in light of the issues listed above.

Other NRA’s continue to debate the proposal from their perspectives and are expected to be influenced by Australia’s decision.

APRIL 2008 NEWSLETTER

· Enclosures. The following documents and notices are enclosed with this Newsletter:

o WDRA OPM Notice

o SDDRA OPM Notice

o Wondai RC OPM Notice

o Membership Fees for New Members 1 April to 31 December 2008

· Election of the Board. Rob Rush was re-elected and John Caske was elected to the Board for a term of three years. Portfolios have been allocated as follows:

Finance G Duncan

Belmont G Grosskreutz

Corporate planning R Rush

Competition/Technical J Caske

Coaching and Training J Breeze

Historical J Johnstone

Infrastructure and Range Security J Caske

Marketing and Membership R Rush

· Councillors and Clubs. Glenn Ellis and Rod Prayle were re-elected to the Council, and Rob Cadden and Charles Arrowsmith were elected in Zones 1 and 4 respectively. The allocation of clubs has been altered as follows:

Zone 1

Bill Martin Brisbane, Central, City of Brisbane, Natives, Police

Andrew Mayfield Albert District, Beaudesert, Ipswich, Murwillumbah

Rob Cadden Brisbane Mariners, Cannon Hill, Pacific, Gold Coast,
University, Qld Field & Rimfire

Zone 2

Russell Saxby Goondiwindi, Dalby Tara, Pittsworth, Darling Downs

Glenn Ellis Gatton-Glenore Grove, Toowoomba, Pratten,
Southern Downs, Warwick

Brett Harling Crows Nest- Goombungee, Jandowae, Muckadilla

Zone 3

Colin Cole Nambour, North Arm

Rod Prayle Biggenden, Bundaberg, Maryborough.

Ian Jones Gympie- Kilkivan, Wondai.

Zone 4

David Howard Clermont, Central Highlands, Gemfields, Blackwater Bluff

Charles Arrowsmith Biloela, Monto, Pheasant Creek

Ray Truelson Central Qld Target Sports, Barcaldine.

· Board Meeting. The next QRA Board Meeting will be held on 13 June.

· Champion of Champions. The Champion of Champions competition was changed this year, being held separate from the Queens. Instead of firing one 15 shot stage at 600 yds, the match saw competitors firing 10 shots at 300, 600, 900 and 1000 yds. The Senior Champion was Colin Cole, with a score of 196.16. This is Colin’s fourth win equalling his wife Karen. The Under 25 Champion was Dean Smith with a score of 197.18. This is Dean’s second win in a row. Congratulations to both Colin and Dean.

· City v Country Teams Matches. The inaugural City versus Country Teams Matches were held at Belmont on 6 April. Although the last range was washed out, the event was regarded by all as a great success. Results were:

o Open Teams City 2157.168 Country 2148.156

o Under 25 City 560.31 Country 528.19

o F Class Open City 1316 Country 1314

o F Class Standard Country 777 City 776

o Veterans Country 694.31 City 694.31

o Aggregate City 5501.235 Country 5461.206

· Queensland Team. Congratulations to Bill Martin and Catherine Berry who have been selected Captain and Manager respectively for the Queensland Team to compete at Belmont in August 2009. Nominations are called for Coaches and Shooters, to be submitted to the Executive Officer by 30 June 2008.

· Queensland Under 25 Team. Congratulations to Ernie Mace and Alec Pettigrew/Dale Arrowsmith who have been selected Captain/Coach and Joint Managers respectively for the Queensland Team to compete at Belmont in August 2009. Nominations are called for Shooters, to be submitted to the Executive Officer by 30 June 2008.

· Queensland Ladies Team – Bendigo 2009. The nomination date for the Queensland Ladies Rifle Team to compete at the National Ladies Teams Championships at Bendigo in March 2009 has been extended to 30 April 2008.

· Club Assistance Grants. An additional club assistance grant has been approved, to provide funds in support of the internal upgrade of club facilities. There are now five categories of grant:

o Capital Works for country clubs.

o Membership promotion for all clubs.

o Upgrade of club rifle stocks for all clubs.

o Simulation subsidy for all clubs.

o Upgrade of internal club facilities for all clubs.

· Simulation Training. The next session of simulator training will be conducted at Murwillumbah on 2/3 May. Training is also planned for Ipswich in September, Warwick in October and Toowoomba in November.

· Marking for Queens. Markers are required for both the National and QRA Queens in June and August respectively. Please contact Karen at the QRA Office if you are available.

· Queen’s Prize Meeting. Clubs are requested to again consider donating to support the QPM.

· Belmont Projects. Current projects at Belmont are:

o Second hand 2 bedroom cabins are being erected. With the work required they will not be available until after the QRA Queens.

o Aluminium seats have been placed in the butts on the Duncan Range and behind the 1000 yds firing point.

o The compound has been fenced and bitumen laid.

o An advertising sign has been erected near the front gate.

o The wall of the dam behind the pistol clubs is being repaired after a major breach.

o The bar is undergoing a major internal upgrade.

· Visit Website. The website www.qldrifle.com is continually being upgraded with more information being posted each week. Please visit the site often.

· Email Addresses. We would like to expand contact with members via email. If you would like to receive this Newsletter by email, please send your email address to the Executive Officer QRA at the email address above.

· From the NRAA.

Board Positions

The NRAA board are pleased to announce the below positions:

Chairman John Fitzgerald

Competitions Bruce Scott

Membership George Wittorff

ICFRA Targets

The ICFRA International Targets are to be adopted for domestic competition, with a tentative introduction date of 1January 2010.

HBC-BJD Projectile

The use of HBC-BJD projectile under NRAA SSR’s has been approved. It expected that they will not be introduced for about 4-5 months to allow for current stock of the BJD Mk1 to be run down.

National Teams Matches, Belmont 2009

The dates of the next National Teams Matches, to be held at Belmont, are:

9 August National Teams practice

10-11 August Teams Matches

12-13 August Duncan Lead-up

14-16 August QRA Queens

Cancellation – F Class Team for Spirit of America Match

Due to insufficient nominations the NRAA will not be able to provide a team to contest this matches.

Veterans Team for Spirit of America Match.

There is still a possibility that a Veterans Team will proceed if sufficient nominations are received by the NRAA by 8 May 2008. Those interested are to forward their nominations directly to EO NRAA.

Nominations – NRAA Teams Representation in New Zealand January 2009

NRAA has accepted an invitation for a Ladies and a Veterans team to contest the Trans Tasman Matches in New Zealand in January 2009. A call for nominations will be published in the next ATR. Additionally, we have accepted an invitation for a National Team to contest the New Zealand and mini-Palma matches in January 2009. The selected 2011 Australian Palma Captain will be requested to assemble a team for this match as it is seen as a valuable training experience in the lead-up to 2011.

Nominations – OCEANIA Open, Ladies and Under 25 team and Individual Event ,New Zealand 18 January 2009
Nominations are being called for members to compete at the 2009 Oceania Teams Event in New Zealand. Positions required are Manager and shooters. The NRAA will be entering two Open teams and one Ladies and one Under 25 team. Selection for all these teams will be based on but not limited to, performances in past Oceania, Trans Tasman, National Teams, State Teams, Queens Prize and Australia Cup results from the past two years. Please send your nomination outlining your name, date of birth, address, telephone, email address contact and your performance details from the events outlined above and any other information you deem relevant, to the NRAA office or by email to nraa@bigpond.com by close of business 30 June 2008.

FEBRUARY 2008 NEWSLETTER

· Enclosures. The following notices are enclosed with this Newsletter:

o Minutes of the Board Meeting held 22 February 2008 (Club Secretaries only)

o Queens 08 Notice

o North Arm RC 303 Prize Meeting Notice

o Country v City Teams Match/Champion of Champions Notice

o SDDRA Prize Meeting Notice

· Range Closure. We have been advised that the range closure for the construction of a tank and pipeline as part of the Recycled Water Project is now expected to continue until the end of August. The Zero Range can still be used but members are requested to call the Office before they intend to use this range as it is being used quite often by Police. The National and QRA Queens will not be affected.

· Queensland Match Rifle Team – Ungarie 2008. Last year the Queensland Match Rifle Team won the National Match Rifle Teams Championship. The following members have been selected to defend the title at Ungarie in August 2008:

Captain Kerod Lindley

Manager/Coach Peter Hill

Shooters John Kielly

Jenni Hausler

Ross Atherton

Peter Hearle

Reserve Emile Daniel

· Queensland Rifle Team – Belmont 2009. Nominations are called for the positions of Captain and Manager for the Queensland Rifle Team to compete at the National Teams Championships at Belmont in August 2009. Nominations are to be forwarded to Executive Officer by 31 March 2008.

· Queensland Under 25 Rifle Team – Belmont 2009. Nominations are called for the positions of Captain and Manager for the Queensland Under 25 Rifle Team to compete at the National Teams Championships at Belmont in August 2009. Nominations are to be forwarded to Executive Officer by 31 March 2008.

· Queensland Ladies Rifle Team – Bendigo 2009. Nominations are called for the positions of Captain, Manager, Wind Coach and Shooters for the Queensland Ladies Rifle Team to compete at the National Ladies Teams Championships at Bendigo in March 2009. Nominations are to be forwarded to Executive Officer by 31 March 2008.

· Support to Prize Meetings. Two Prize Meetings have already been supported with a $100 Shop Voucher.

· Funding Assistance. Country clubs are invited to submit requests for financial assistance for capital works and membership programs. Application forms are available from the Executive Officer.

· State Team Funding. State team support has been increased to $600 per member for ‘away’ teams and $350 for ‘home’ teams commencing 2008.

· Capital Grants. The country club capital grant has been increased from 1 January 2008 to 50% for the first $10000, 33% for remainder up to ceiling of $7500.

· Country V City Teams Match/Champion of Champions. The Country versus City Teams Match will be held at Belmont on 6 April 2008. Nominations have been called for open, ladies, Under 25 and F Class Standard and F Class Open teams, to be submitted to the Executive Officer by 14 March 2008. It is also intended to conduct the Champion of Champions Championship on 5 April.

Accommodation at Belmont will be provided free of charge, but please send in your bookings.

The programme is:

Sat AM Champion of Champions 10 shots at 300, 600, 900, 1000

Sat PM Practice at 500 in conjunction with the MDRA shoot

Sun Teams Match at 300/600/900/1000

· Weapons Act Review. There have been six meetings of the Weapons Act Review Committee attended by the Executive Officer. The draft legislation is expected in September.

· Koala Conservation Area/Queensland Parks and Wildlife. While the range is closed for the pipeline construction the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service is taking the opportunity to visit the site at the end of May to spot koalas.

· Club Houses. A proposal has been received from WA shooters to establish a club house at Belmont and this has the support of the QRA Board. Other parties who may be interested in establishing facilities are asked to contact the Executive Officer.

· Work at Belmont. Some of the work being carried out at Belmont is summarised below:

o The 300 yd mound on the Duncan Range has been reshaped to improve the angle.

o New target numbers will be installed by the National Queens.

o A Site Office has been established near the Canon Hill RSL RC clubhouse and landfill operations will be controlled from this Office in the future.

o A dam is being constructed by Leighton Abi Group Joint Venture (LAJV), responsible for the Gateway upgrade, in front of the 500 mound on the Duncan Range. The dam will be fed by a bore and provide water for the project. LAJV will be carrying out internal road maintenance and water flow mitigation on the range during the period of the project.

o Four second hand two bedroom cabins will be placed on the site soon.

o Taps, showers, toilets and urinals in the accommodation are being converted to be water efficient, as required under Level 6 water restrictions.

· Email Addresses. We would like to expand contact with members via email. If individual Club members wish to receive this Newsletter by email, please send your email address to the Executive Officer QRA. If you have previously notified an email address but have not been receiving news lately, please confirm that the Office has the correct address.

Visit the Website. The website www.qldrifle.com is continually being upgraded with more information being posted each week. Please visit the site often.

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