The weekend 11th & 12th March 2017, the Warren Gun Club was host to the annual Golden Ibis and Denis Hunt Memorial shoot. The seven event program included shooting at 210 targets and if you were lucky enough to shoot it perfectly, the possible final score is 375. Shooters competed for trophies, cash and prizes in excess of $10,000 including the coveted 1oz solid gold, Golden Ibis trophy. The eventual winner was also fortunate to have his/her name etched in history, by winning the memorial trophy of the past great Warren shooter Denis Hunt.
A total of 80 shooters contested the weekend for the magnificent array of prizes, with overall winners taking home a new ‘Weber Q’ barbecue. Winners came from far and wide with a total of 20 clubs being represented from QLD through to Southern NSW.
Warren Club’s spacious grounds and supporting facilities were utilised by shooters and their families who camped and caravanned, adding to the atmosphere that prevailed throughout the weekend. With the labours of the committed club members, the grounds looked fantastic for our annual two day shoot. Saturday started with a glorious sun filled sky and great weather for some very competitive shooting.
This year’s event was tightly contested, with the eventual winner only taking the prize in the last event. It was a tight contest up until then, with multiple shooters swapping places for the lead. The eventual winner was Steven Walker, who took out the overall event shooting 365 out of the possible 375 for the whole weekend; this was achieved without even winning any of the seven programmed events. Well done Steven, consistent shooting over the two days paid off.
The first event, the 30 target Double Barrel Cash Divide started the weekend. The cash was shared between the grades with no shooter scooping the pool in their respective grade. The event was proudly sponsored by Warren Joinery and Hardware.
The second event was the 30 Mixed Targets off 18m, proudly sponsored by Warren United Services Club. The overall winner was Wayde Hawkins shooting the only possible of 75/75. Wayde was recipient of a Bowie hunting knife and sash.
Remaining grade winners of the event;
AAGrade 1st–Bryan Manns 149/150
A Grade 1st – Rob Machul 98/100
B Grade 1st – Nicholas Easman 66/75
C Grade 1st – Mal Birrell 61/75
AA Grade 2nd – Button Powell 148/150
A Grade 2nd – Stuart Boydell 97/100
B Grade 2nd – Ken Fisher 65/75
C Grade 2nd – Lachlan Hunt 60/75
The third event was the 30 Target Lower Macquarie Single Barrel Championship, proudly sponsored by Gunpro. Four shooters contested the shoot off, with the eventual winner Tony O’Leary winning the prize with 49/49. Tony was recipient of a Bowie hunting knife and sash. Remaining grade winners of the event;
AA Grade 1st – Bryan Manns
A Grade 1st – Mackinley Codrington
B Grade 1st – Bruce Hunt
C Grade 1st – Lachlan Hunt
AA Grade 2nd – Malcolm Stephens
A Grade 2nd – Adam Boyd
B Grade 2nd – Robert Alston
C Grade 2nd – Mal Birrell
Ladies – Melissa Crosby
Junior – Jack Hunter
Veteran – Colin O’Leary
On to event four the 30 Target Double Barrel Championship proudly sponsored by Macquarie Toyota. At the finish there were 30 shooters who shot the perfect event, to enter into the shoot off. Many a shot faltered and only 2 shooters made it to the final wave. After shooting 160 targets straight, the shooters agreed to toss the coin to decide the fate of the trophy. Robert Thompson, using his own coin, tossed for victory, and was the lucky recipient of a Hunter Elements Camping pack and sash.
Remaining grade winners of the event;
AA Grade 1st – Tony O’Leary
A Grade 1st – John Hayes
B Grade 1st – Stephanie Mills
C Grade 1st – Lachlan Hunt
AA Grade 2nd – Steve Walker
A Grade 2nd – Ray Welch
B Grade 2nd – Lyell Pettman
C Grade 2nd – Mal Birrell
Ladies – Mackinley Codrington
Junior – Jack Hunter
Veteran – Graham Bayliss
Saturday night the shooters and their families were fortunate to enjoy a beautiful meal of cold meats and salads. Some good old time yarns and laughs were enjoyed, and a great night was had by all.
An early 8:30am start, and another beautiful day at the Warren Gun club. Many shooters enjoyed in a hearty cooked breakfast, of sausages, bacon and eggs before the start to the days shooting. Event five commenced on time with the 30 Target Point score Championship, proudly sponsored by Frontier Agencies, who again assisted in supplying many of the great prizes for the weekend. Shooter Brian Doyle, starting the day strong, shot an impressive 150/150, to take out the event, and be the recipient of a Bowie hunting knife and sash. Remaining grade winners of the event;
AA Grade 1st – Steven Walker
A Grade 1st – Mackinley Codrington
B Grade 1st – Lyell Pettman
C Grade 1st – Lachlan Hunt
AA Grade 2nd –Benjamin Woodhouse
A Grade 2nd – Richard Fryer
B Grade 2nd – Mark Lawford
C Grade 2nd – Christie Wheeler
Ladies – Stephanie Mills
Junior – Jack Hunter
Veteran – Button Powell
Event Six the Lower Macquarie Handicap sponsored by Supa IGA and Warren Meathouse included 30 Targets from the shooters respective handicap mark. Two shooters shot the possible, and after a brief shoot off, Warren Gun club president David O’Brien was victor. David was recipient of $300 cash and a sash.
Remaining winners of the event;
2nd – Stephen Schiller
3rd – John Hayes
4th – Brett Williamson
5th – Mal Birrell
Event Seven and the last chance to make the winners circle. The Presidential Trophy, 30 targets off 18 meters, proudly sponsored by Auscott & Soul Biz Solutions. Robert Brodin with the only possible 90/90 took out the win, and was the happy recipient of a Bowie hunting knife and sash.
Remaining winners of the event;
AAGrade 1st–Scott Moody
A Grade 1st – Adam Boyd
B Grade 1st – Robert Alston
C Grade 1st – Michael Ford
AA Grade 2nd –Robert Thompson
A Grade 2nd – Brett Farlow
B Grade 2nd – Lyell Pettman
C Grade 2nd – Melissa Crosby
Overall High Gun winners this year were awarded a Weber Baby Q barbeques and a sash. The Overall High Gun winner received the beautifully crafted 1oz Golden Ibis Trophy and the Dennis Hunt Memorial Cup, presented by the Hunt family. We thank Kord Keogh who makes the Ibis trophy each year, and thanks also to the Hunt family for supporting our great shoot.
The High Gun winners for 2017 were;
Overall – Steven Walker 365/375
AA Grade – Robert Thompson 364/375
A Grade – Mackinley Codrington 359/375
B Grade – Lyell Pettman 341/375
C Grade – Mal Birrell 321/375
Junior – Jack Hunter 338/375
Ladies – Stephanie Mills 315/375
Veteran – Graham Bayliss 360/375
For those who don’t compete in the events shooting, they always have the possibility of winning the raffle. This year the raffle was kindly organised by Nigel Clark and Kell Wills. The lucky winners included;
Frist – Graeme Patten – Weber Baby Q BBQ
Second – Tracey Hunt – $100
Third – Ashley Bell – $50
Many thanks must go to the small but hard working people who put in many hours preparing for this weekend and helped make the grounds spectacular. Many thanks to our safe and efficient Trap Team who made sure no one waited for targets. To the hard working ladies who ensure the food is delicious, and the kitchen a welcoming place, thank you for a great weekend. To the bar staff, who were kept busy supplying water and soft drinks to the shooters and visitors. Thank you to our office staff, and trap manager who continue to ensure this is a smoothly run shoot.
Special thanks to Frank Auditore for continuing to support the Warren shoot, and making available a wonderful shoot program, that allows us to have peace of mind, and digital scoreboards. Lastly to our sponsors Macquarie Toyota, Warren United Services Club, Frontier Agencies, Warren Supa IGA, Gunpro – Dubbo, Warren Meat house, Auscott, Warren Joinery and Hardware, Soul Biz Solutions, your continued support and contributions certainly go a long way to making this event happen. And lastly, to the most valued of all, the contributing shooters who travelled from near and far to make such a memorable event.
On Behalf of The Warren Gun Club thank you one and all.
All round a great weekend, good fun, great companionship and heaps of laughs. We look forward to seeing you all at the 2018 Golden Ibis Trophy and Denis Hunt Memorial.
Denis Hunt Memorabilia and the Denis Hunt Memorial Trophy
The Hunt family with Overall High Gun winner Steve Walker.
President David O’Brien with local Adam Boyd.
A Grade winner Mackinley Codrington and President David O’Brien.
Handicap winner David O’Brien and club secretary Don Williamson.
The Warren Gun Club’s Golden Ibis High Gun Winners of 2017.
Warren Gun Club 