The club accepted the invitation through Vice President Trevor Kenny to come and try pistol shooting at the Sturt Pistol Club O’Halloran Hill. At 9.00 am on a wet morning 21 ORVC members ( 17 shooters including Gary’s 2 grandsons and 2 adult and 2 kids who came as spectators) found their way through the foggy conditions to the Pistol Club range off Majors Road, to be welcomed with tea and coffee in the Club House. After registering by signing in we were taken into the Air Pistol Range where members of the Sturt Pistol Club were introduced and a short talk on the Club was given explaining that it was providing competition in Olympic classes of pistol shooting. We were also shown how air pistols operated, the basic theory of pistol shooting. - (aiming a pistol is somewhat different from aiming a rifle) -and the safety rules. Six participants were called up to the firing line and given two lots of 10 shots with air pistols.

In turn we all were all given twenty shots with the air pistols; ten on to a target reversed so that it was blank and then on to a familiar target with the circles and the black "bull". I found that I actually scored better on the blank target—this was because I was tempted to look at the target instead of the gun sights when the target markings could be seen—OK for rifles but not for pistols we had been instructed. This was a good way to learn a little of the basics of pistol shooting with guns that we could all comfortably handle. Even Gary Hallam’s grandsons were able too have a go and the air pistol range, even in the process of a major refurbishment was a comfortable venue out of the rain for those not shooting.

It seems that everyone got most of their shots on the target which I found very encouraging for myself.

Then, buoyed by this new found skill we broke for an excellent morning tea in the Club House.

Time was marching on so we all moved across to the other range where we were shown other types of pistols and a rifle we were to try out our new found skills.

This was a 50 metre range with the targets out in the open but fortunately the firing positions were under cover.

We started with semi-automatic pistols using rim-fired ammunition. I must admit that my potential as an Olympic athlete using these was not very great. I think I probably did hit the target with some shots but was in no hurry to keep the target as a souvenir!!!

The centre-fire revolver somehow seemed more to my liking and I think I actually got all the shots on the target. The action of pointing the gun towards the ground while cocking it with the left hand then raising it towards the target and firing I found to seriously reduce the shakes and make for a better result.

I was much happier with my performance with the rifle which was next on the agenda. Once I had worked out how to see anything through the telescopic sights I was able to get all 10 shots in the bull or the "9" ring. I think it was 50 years since I had actually fired a rifle on a range and despite the fact that the targets we used were much larger than those used in competition on the 50 metre range I was proud enough of my efforts to keep the target to show off when I got home.

The grand finale was the black powder pistols in the range next door to the one we had been using. This was strictly safety glasses as well as hearing protection. It was really FUN !!

Bang—Flash—Smoke—flying wadding. We only had a couple of shots each and who cared if you hit the target—it was simply firing these "cannons" which was what it was about for me. I don’t think I was Robinson Crusoe—everyone I talked to seemed to think the same.

To sum up I would like to thank Trevor for arranging this visit and a special thank you to all the members of the Sturt Pistol Club who gave up their time to ensure we had a really great experience—and an excellent morning tea. I would not be surprised if they manage to recruit some new members from this—I hope they do. Keith Plastow