Ravenshoe Highlanders Range

RAVENSHOE MT GARNET RIFLE CLUB
Photos by Kevin Shaw
Written by Richard Butt

A total of 37 competitors entered into the O.P.M on the 8th October 2011, with the Tablelands in Far North Queensland putting on a clear, calm, spring day. Full Bore Target Rifle numbers were down due to the World Championships being held in Brisbane. The I.C.F.R.A. Targets and scoring system was used for all Disciplines.

At 300 yards Mark Beecham (Mareeba) led div 1 in full bore with 49.4 from Jason Kuchel (Ravenshoe) 48.1 and Bob Boulter (Atherton) on 46.2. Div 2 was led by Ivan Harper (Atherton) 46.1 from Mal McKellor (Mossman) 45.1 and Gary Moss (Atherton) 43.0. F Open was won by Peter Smith (Herberton) on a count back from Peter DeKroon (Mareeba) both on 59.5 with Peter Burg (Herberton) on 59.4. F Standard div 1 was won by Richard Butt (Atherton) 60.3 from Ian Wood (Ravenshoe) 59.4 and Kevin Chatfield (Ravenshoe) 58.4. F Standard div 2 Young Lee Rankine (Ravenshoe) won on count back from Murray Wilson (Ravenshoe) 56.4 and Cathy Chatfield (Ravenshoe) third on 55.2.

With temperature rising, shade was erected over the 500 yard mound to give the competitors some relief from the clear day. With the flags undecided which way to go and the mirage acting like a black cat on a hot tin roof, we lost count of the amount of times we crossed wind zero. Mark Beecham 50.4 again led from Jason Kuchel 49.7 with Bob Boulter 48.4 in div 1. Mal McKellor 46.2 led Ivan Harper 45.0 with Ron Schild on 44.4 in div 2. F Open was won again by Peter Smith 60.5 from Mark Edge (Herberton) 60.3 and Stewart Mowat (Mareeba) 59.6. F Standard 1 was taken out by Kevin Chatfield 59.6 from Richard Butt 59.0 and Ian Wood 58.4. F Standard 2 John Mercer (Halifax) counted out Wayne Swift (Collingsville) both on 56.3 from Liz Wilson (Ravenshoe) 56.2.

Competitors and markers were thankful for the lunch break, with good food and cold drinks, under cover, with the slight breeze letting the blood cool down and the clothing dry. The time came to attack the second 500 yards with the temperature up around the mid 30’s. Who said it was spring? Jason Kuchel 50.6 led Bob Boulter 50.5 with Mark Beecham 49.6 third in div 1. Div 2 had Rob Wearne (Mossman) 48.1 leading Mal McKellor 47.2 and Ivan Harper third on 45.3. F Open was won by Mark Edge 60.7 from Peter Smith counting out Peter DeKroon both with 60.6. Shane Green (Cairns) 60.3 led F Standard div 1 from Kevin Chatfield 59.4 and Richard Butt 59.3. Wayne Swift 58.5 led Liz Wilson 58.4 and John Mercer 58.1 in F Standard div 2.

At the end of the shoot there was a quick exit back to the covers and a cool drink, where Anne Merkotter (Captain) and Murray Wilson (Vice Captain) presented the range-medals and prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, in each division to the winners. The aggregate patches and prizes were then presented to:
Div 1: Mark Beecham 148.14, Jason Kuchel 147.14 and Bob Boulter 144.11,
Div 2: Mal McKellor 138.5, Ivan Harper 136.4 and Rob Wearne 132.4,
F Open: Peter Smith 179.16, Stewart Mowat 178.11 and Mark Edge 177.15,
F Standard div 1: Richard Butt 178.6, Kevin Chatfield 176.14 and Ian Wood 175.11.
F Standard div 2: Liz Wilson 169.8, John Mercer 169.5 and Wayne Swift 167.8.

The best lady shooter was Yvonne Burg.

Anne thanked the competitors, markers, caterers, office staff and club members for making this an enjoyable day and wished all a safe trip home.