Saturday saw the first shoot for 2017 with 16 shooters competing in warm and windy conditions. The club AGM was held prior to the day’s shoot with David O’Brien re-elected as club President, Fiona Williamson as Treasurer, Don Williamson as Secretary, and Doug Ferguson and Brett Williamson elected as Assistant Secretary’s. Kevin Walton remains the club patron and Kyle Walton was elected as the Club Shoot Marshall.

Four events were shot in all: a 20-target double barrel, 20-target single barrel, 25-target handicap, and the more than usual challenge of 20-target Ball Trap.
The High Guns for the day were C-grade: Lachlan Hunt (Warren) with 63/85, A-grade Jason Stone (Dubbo) with 71/85 and AA-grade shared by Button Powell (Hermidale) and Ben Wild (Warren) with 71/85. Ben also shot 25/25 in the handicap and qualified for the Tom Wild Memorial in October, with last years prize money being rolled into 2017 for an approximate $800 jackpot in October’s final, and shooters now able to qualify each month.

A working bee was set for the 4^th of February at 9am to prepare for the Ernie Wills Memorial Shoot starting at 3pm, which this year offers $2000 in cash prizes for High Guns. Following the shoot, the club will celebrate 20 years of holding the event with the Wills family- including dinner- and all are welcome. It will only be a month later and the club will then be hosting its annual 2-Day Golden Ibis & Denis Hunt Memorial Shoot.

New shooters and those who’ve not been on the lanes for a while are all welcome to visit the club, and more details about our club and program can be found at www.shootwarren.com and the Warren Gun Club Facebook page.
The club would like to thank its sponsors, members, supporters and the wider community for its help and support in 2016, and wishes everyone a safe and happy 2017.
1) AA High Gun Ben Wild and Secretary Don Williamson.

2) Photo from the club archives with Ernie Wills back row, 3^rd from left.

3) Shooters line up against the wind at the Ball Trap.

4) Trap 2 single barrel.

The brisk, cloudy weather brought a total of 22 shooters to warm their barrels in Warren last weekend with light winds pushing the targets around.
Four events were shot on the day with Kyle Walton claiming the 45 target Mixed Target Championship and the overall High Gun (126/135), with Ben Wild trailing by just 1 point.
The 25 target Handicap was won by Bruce Hunt.
Grade winners were- AA Grade by Kyle Walton; A Grade by Ben Wild; B Grade by Tom Wild; C Grade by Bruce Hunt.
Next month is no doubt a cold- but no less green- weekend for the 30T Ball Trap Championship starting at 1pm.

David O’brien and Kyle Walton.

Twenty Six Thousand Targets, Thirty Thousand Cartridges, and One Hundred & Fifteen Shooters.

All Grade Winners, Event Winners and Overall High Guns L/R. Bryan Manns, Brian Doyle, Kevin Hatch, Mitchell Salafia, kate Edwards, Peter Fitzalan, Chris Salafia (Overall Golden Ibis Winner), Winston Jones, Mark Rogers, Oliver Rogers, Peter Sullivan, Gerard Nathan.

Hot (39) and light variable winds prevailed over the second weekend of March where Shooters, Scorers and Referees showed that hydration was also a target; especially around three in the afternoon.

A credit to all involved the six event programme was shot for trophies, cash and prizes totalling $10,000 including the coveted solid gold, Golden Ibis trophy valued at $1000.

Qualifying and selection of the Western Zone Teams added to the challenge with 62 Western Zone Shooters representing 13 clubs competing for inclusion in the Open, Veteran, Ladies and Junior Teams.

The memory of past Golden Ibis winner Denis Hunt was preserved with his Memorial Trophy event opening the card.

Warren Gun Club’s spacious grounds and supporting facilities were utilised by many shooters and their families- who camped and caravanned- adding to the carnival atmosphere that prevailed throughout the weekend.

It was all down to the wire.
The Golden Ibis and Overall High Gun needing a deciding shoot off- the first time in its history- with Chris Salifia (Leeton) emerging triumphant by two points from his very worthy opponent Brian Doyle (Cobar).

Just to get the senses tuned Event (1) of the 2016 Golden Ibis & Denis Hunt Memorial

15 pair Double Rise.

Overall Winner was Arthur Turner who shot a credible 29/30 on a weekend where possible’s were very elusive. AA Grade : Scott Smith 36/40 prevailed in the first entertaining shoot off with Mathew Schiller 35/40. A Grade John Pollack 27/30, 2^nd Winston Jones 39/50. B Grade: Coonambles own Michael Vallett 24/30, 2^nd up and coming Junior Tabatha Schultz 23/30. C Grade Tyler Marett 26/30, 2^nd Anthony Marett 31/40.

Event (2)
the 50T Western Zone Single Barrel Championship (Sponsored by Frontier Agencies)

Overall went to Cobar shooter Bryan Manns with a credible 49/51 Bryan gained selection in the Western Zone Open Team. AA Grade: Clyde Mitchell 48/51, 2^nd Peter Sullivan 55/59. A Grade: Winston Jones 45/50, 2^nd Maxwell Ingleton 48/54. B Grade: Mark Forgione 44/51, 2^nd Lyell Pettman 43/50. C Grade: Nathan Soulsby 43/50, 2^nd Gerard Nathan 41/51. Ladies: Kate Edwards 43/50, Kate went on to be included in the Western Zone ladies team. Junior: Oliver Rogers 42/50. Veteran and Western Zone Rep. Peter Fitzalan 46/50

Event (3)
the 50T Western Zone Double Barrel Championship (Sponsored by Macquarie Toyota)

Overall Winner Mark Rogers (part of a formidable father and son combination representing Goolma) went shot for shot with Stephen Schiller to take out the event with a score of 97/97. AA Grade: Stephen Schiller 96/97, 2^nd Luke Kirkby 94/95. A Grade: Winston Jones 50/50, 2^nd Rodney Anderson 64/66. B grade: Michael Vallett 49/50, 2^nd Lyle Pettman 48/50. C Grade: Gerard Nathan 47/50, 2^nd Blake Schwartz (who would go onto qualify as a Western Zone Junior Rep.) 45/50. Ladies: Kate Rogers 49/50. Juniors: Oliver Rogers 49/50. Veterans: Warrens, Sid Kinsey 53/54

Event (4)
the 30T Western Zone Pointscore Championship (Sponsored by GUNPRO)

Overall Winner was Peter Sullivan with a Credible 148/150. AA Grade: Chris Salafia from Leeton was rising to the top with a score of 150/153, 2^nd Robert Thompson 147/153. A Grade: Rodney Anderson representing the Warren Club 150/159, 2^nd Anthony Gray 147/159. B Grade: Mark Forgione 140/150, 2^nd Tabatha Schultz 138/150. C Grade: Blake Dunne 132/150, 2^nd Gerard Nathan 131/150. Ladies: Kate Edwards 139/150. Juniors: Oliver Rogers 137/150. Veterans: Peter Fitzalan 141/150.

Event (5)
the 30T Handicap Trophy (Sponsored by Super IGA and Warren Meathouse)

Overall Winner Kevin Hatch 32/32 from Bourke took out the shoot off to take home the major prise money narrowly defeating in form shooter Peter Sullivan 31/32. Then Coonamble ruled with Glen Harvey 35/36, 3^rd and Jason Peters 34/36, 4^th with Warrens Nathan Soulsby 33/35, 5^th.

Event (6)
the 30 T Mixed trophy off 18m (Sponsored by Owen Fuels)

Another formidable father and son combination were to dominate in this event with Overall Winner Mitchell Salafia 75/75 narrowly defeating his father Chris for top position. AA Grade: Chris Salafia 74/75, 2^nd Wade Hawkins 98/100. A Grade: Winston Jones 47/50, 2^nd Brett Williamson 46/50. B Grade: John Coglan 44/50, 2^nd Benjamin Tranter 41/50. C Grade: Blake Schwartz 43/50 2^nd Gerard Nathan.

2016 Golden Ibis High Gun Winners

Overall Winner: Chris Salafia 370/386.

AA Grade: Brian Doyle 368/386. A Grade: Winston Jones 332/360. B Grade: Tabatha Schultz 309/360. C Grade: Gerard Nathan 307/360. Ladies: Kate Edwards 332/360. Junior: Oliver Rogers 322/360. Veteran: Peter Fitzalan 334/360

The Western Zone Team Selections

Open Team: Robert Thompson (Cobar), Bryan Manns (Cobar), Brian Doyle (Cobar), Scott Moody (Coonamble), Justin Turner (Moree).

Veterans Team: Peter Fitzalan (Dubbo), Donald Morris (Cobar), Malcolm Stephens (Warren).

Ladies Team: Kate Edwards (Cobar), Lauren Love (Goolma), Jenny Haynes (Moree).

Junior Team: Tabatha Schultz (Moree), Blake Schwartz (Moree), Mackinley Cordington (Brewaarrina).

Western Zone Postal Team (top 12 Scores from 1^st 25 target Pointscore event). Arthur Turner, Oliver Rogers, Clyde Mitchel, Rob Thompson, Justin Turner, John Harris, Brian Kneipp, Ian Mitchell, John Pollack, Sid Kinsey, and Wade Hawkins.

Many thanks to our safe and efficient Trap Team who made sure no one waited for targets. The hard working ladies committee who delivered sumptuous meals and beverages.
The members and officials of the Warren Gun Club.
Our sponsors, and 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.

The Warren Trap Team L/R-
Mathew Marks, Brittany Marks, Joe Marks, Hamish Callender

Western Zone Open Team L/R-
Scott Moody, Robert Thompson, Kevin Doyle, Bryan Manns, Justin Turner.

David O’Brien congratulates Blake Schwartz C grade 30T Mixed Trophy Winner.

Raffle winners Including our hard working Tally Room Secretary on the day, Fiona Soulsby with Mark Forgione, Joe Marks and Ruth Hunt

Chris Salafia Overall High Gun and Golden Ibis Winner

Ruth Hunt presents the Denis Hunt Memorial Trophy to winner Chris Salafia

AA Grade High Gun, Kevin Doyle (Cobar).

A grade High Gun, Winston Jones (Orange).

B grade High Gun, Tabatha Schultz (Moree).

C Grade High Gun, Gerard Nathan.

Veterans High Gun, Peter Fitzalan (Dubbo).

Junior High Gun, Oliver Rogers (Goolma).

Kate Edwards (Cobar) Ladies High Gun with WGC President David O’Brien.

Kevin Hatch (Bourke) 1^st 30T Handicap Trophy.

David O’Brien with Peter Sullivan (Orange) Overall Winner 30T Pointscore Championship.