Congratulations to Rick Scoones
who has been appointed by the NRAA to lead
the Australian Rifle Team to
Trentham, New Zealand 2009
Australia Match, Bisley, England 2010
World Long Range Palma Match, Brisbane, Australia 2011
NRAA members update No 25 dated 16 Jun 2008

2007 Australian Rifle Team

Day 22 Sun 2 Sep 07

The Australian Palma Rifle Team win Bronze
in the Palma Match in Canada

1. This is the first time Australia has won a Palma medal for 19 years, since 1988.
2. Australia outshot the previous Palma world record by 51 points (see Records).
3. Australia also won Bronze in the Under 25 International Match.
4. Australian team members top scored in both the Palma and Under 25 Matches.

Gillian Webb Enslin coached by Janet Wagland
top scores in the Palma Match
and sets a new world record with a score of 896.053/900.090

The Australian Palma Rifle Team on the range after the match

The Coaches Gordon Duncan Qld, Jan Dyer NT, Greg Warrian WA,
Janet Wagland WA, Rob Cadden Qld

This is the first time an Australian Palma team has included women coaches.

The Squads

Girl Power - Top Scorer and Top Coach
Gillian Webb Enslin from Apple Tree Creek in Queensland
and Janet Wagland from Perth WA

The Australian Palma Rifle Team at Connaught before the match
lining up under our distinctive Australian Flag tents

The Australian U25 Rifle Team supported the Palma team
by providing register keepers and butts observers for two days

The Australian Rifle Team opened day 2 of the Palma Match at 700m with only two points down in the same still conditions as day 1.

Rob Rush, Rob Cadden, Matt Taylor and Rex Wigney at 700m

The flags can be seen draped down the poles in the photos above however that was the calm before the storm as the wind gathered strength and changed direction incessantly at 800 and 900m.

Andrew Sims, Gordon Duncan and Gray Robertson

Rob Cuthbert getting ready at 800m

Catherine Berry checking Jim Jeffery's sights

Bruce Scott, Mark Buchanan and Rob Cuthbert - Rob Rush and George Edser

The team changed tactics at 800m to deal with the conditions and it worked. In the fishtailing winds we finished well before anyone else on the range and gained points on the two leading teams. The same speed was executed at 900m, but it was not enough to pull us up. The South Africans and the British maintained the lead they established yesterday and Australia remained in third place.

Day 21 Sat 1 Sep 07

The Australian Palma Rifle Team fire their opening shots at 700m

The Palma Match is the World Championship of full bore rifle shooting and is only held every four years. In 2011 it will be held in Australia, at the Belmont Shooting Complex in Brisbane, Queensland.

The Palma Match consists of three fifteen shot matches at each range, 700, 800 and 900 metres over two days by teams of sixteen firers in squads of four. The photo above shows the four Australian coaches, flanked by two firers each, with a plotter behind in the classic formation of a Palma team. The competition uses the Palma target which has a 44 inch aiming mark and decimal scoring meaning the highest possible score for each person is 150.15 at each range.

Matt Taylor supported by Grace and Jane

Matt Taylor shot brilliantly to top score with 449.32 and received hugs of approval from baby daughter Grace, who also topped the fashion stakes with her "Go Dad" "Australian Rifle Team Support" t-shirt. Family ties were definitely a secret weapon behind some great scores in the team today.

Barry Schlam supported by Marie and Ryan behind the firing point

The Australian Palma Rifle Team opened strongly at 700m today with only four points down. Hot air balloons rose on the horizon as the first shots were fired in the morning with the wind flags draping down the poles.

Gillian Webb Enslin and Darren Enslin giving each other mutual support

John Ashton enjoying the shade on a sunny day at Connaught

Geoff Grosskreutz preparing for the next range

Gil Walker, Rob Cadden and Gordon Duncan studying the scoreboard

The wind picked up as we got further back and the spread between the ten teams increased. The coaches were concentrating hard as the conditions changed throughout the day and Australia settled into third place by the end of 900m.

Day 20 Fri 31 Aug 07

The Australian Palma Team under the cover of the Australian flag

Australian Palma team members relaxed in the shade of the Australian flag today as they enjoyed the final practice at 900m. The walls of our meeting room at the Days Inn are papered with the hero grams sent to our email address austrifleteam@qldrifle.com from family and friends all over the world. The pages of our website also adorn the walls showing our achievements over the last three weeks in fulll colour and the smiling faces of a cohesive and strongly knit team.

Janet Wagland, Australian Coach and Queens Prize Winner
revelling in the challenging conditions at Connaught

Bruce Scott and Rob Sandlant

Bruce Scott, the Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist in 2006 is once again enjoying representing Australia, this time in the Palma Match.

Jan Dyer one of Australia's most successful shooters

We believe are shooting the best projectiles in the world manufactured in Australia by BJD Projectiles. Bob and Jan Dyer are BJD and their success as individuals is testament to their expertise.

Rob Cadden coaching his fourth Australian Team

We have been inspired by messages from our High Performance Coach Don Brook who says "Make your own luck! Shoot one shot at a time and most of all believe in yourself."

Rick and Reg finalising technical preparation

Gillian discussing final preparations with Rick

Rick Scoones began the project of building this team in 2003 and every person in the team is looking forward to the finale, the Palma Match on Saturday and Sunday. Our Physician Micheil Sweet says "Have faith, faith expands the comfort zone." Satisfaction with results comes from each individual feeling confident to say to themselves, I did my best, I could have not have done any more.

Day 19 Thu 30 Aug 07

Congratulations to Andrew Sims from Annandale in NSW
5th place in the World Championships

The Australian Palma team members joined a huge crowd of onlookers glued to their telescopes to watch the final top 10 shoot off for the Individual World Long Range Championship. Andrew started in 6th position and looked relaxed and controlled in his preparation before the match. He put in a solid 142.2 to lift himself up a notch to 5th place amongst the final contenders. 373 out of 388 starters completed the three stages of the match.

The crowd watching Andrew Sims in the final shoot off at 900m

The winner David Luckman is chaired off the range

Andrew Sims receiving his IWLRC Top Ten Award

Ron Whalen receiving his IWLRC Award for 3rd at 700m on Day 1

Team members have become used to quick uniform changes between attending presentations in range attire followed immediately by dressing up in No 1s for formal functions.

Australian team members proceed into the Mess at Connaught
for the traditional Palma Dinner

The Captain's table at the traditional Palma dinner

The Palma dinner was attended by the Defence Attache to the Australian High Commissioner, Lieutenant Colonel Lyndon Anderson, seated next to Brigadier Bruce Scott at the Captain's table.

Palma team members were treated to a sumptuous meal and
the magnificent Palma trophy was on display

Day 3 of the IWLRC before the Final in the Afternoon

Congratulations to Andrew Sims for making the IWLRC Top 10 Final

The placings for the final aggregate saw Andrew Sims 6th and the only Australian Team Member to make the top ten final. After lunch Andrew will line up against contenders from New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and Great Britain.

Ron Whalen with the Don Brook custom made adjustable stock
favoured by some of the top Australian shooters

The IWLRC concluded today and Ron Whalen appeared 7th with Dean Smith 8th in the Day 3 aggregate. Both Ron and Dean use custom designed and fitted stocks made by Don Brook, the teams High Performance Coach and Australian small bore champion.

The Individual World Long Range Championship Placings after Day 3

Andrew Sims 6th, Darren Enslin 24th, Ron Whalen 30th, Rob Rush 45th

Gordon Duncan 52nd, George Edser 83rd, Mark Buchanan 97th,

Gil Walker 148th, Dean Smith 156th, Rob Cadden 211th, Xavier McLaurin 241st

Day 18 Wed 29 Aug 07

Darren Enslin from Childers was the World Long Range Champion in 1999

An electrical storm forced the postponement of one of the ranges from Wednesday to Thursday. Only the top ten will shoot the final stage at 900m on Thursday afternoon. Darren Enslin topped the Australians on Day 2 coming 5th.

Andrew Sims ranked 20th on Day 1 and 9th on Day 2 of the IWLRC

Andrew Sims showed form ranking 20th in the first daily aggregate and 9th in the second day aggregate. Andrew is familiar with the range having lived, worked and shot in Canada for several years.

Gil Walker from Carrick Tasmania has represent Australia eight times
including three Palma teams

Mark Buchanan from Wahroonga in NSW in his third Australian team

Addendum to Day 15 Sun 26 Aug 07

The DCRA have updated the scores for the Under 25 International Teams Match on Sunday 25 August on their website from the official match registers (scorecards).

Unfortunately the unofficial scores being posted on the web by one of the other Palma teams teams, and linked to the DCRA site, have proven to be unreliable as they are being relayed by radio from the unofficial team score boards, not from the official registers. Check scoring with a score board next to the score card register is the procedure used in Australian prize meetings however only one register keeper per target is being used in Canada in teams matches and they are checked by the team plotters.

DCRA rules quite rightly restrict access to the firing point by persons not required for shooting, scoring, coaching or officiating which leaves the Range Officials appropriate space to conduct the matches efficiently and safely. Some team supporters set up scoreboards outside the four metre exclusion zone from the firing point which are maintained using telescopes without the confirmation of the register keepers official call.

The DCRA apologised for relying on the unconfirmed scores posted on the other web site which led to errors in the official presentation list and further resulted in the incorrect awarding of medals in the Veterans Match being shot alongside the Under 25 International Match. Whilst all four of the U25 team scores posted on the DCRA site were incorrect, thankfully it did not affect the placings. The DCRA statistician has now corrected the records and individual scores are on our Results page.

Day 17 Tue 28 Aug 07

Rob Cadden from Graceville in Qld, shooting for a change

Twelve Australian team members competed in the IWLRC and some of our coaches took time out to do some individual shooting. Our coaches hail from the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland.

Gordon Duncan from Bundaberg Qld, also shooting for a change

George Edser and Rob Rush with Tim Berry all from Queensland

The Individual World Long Range Championships consists of three fifteen shot matches at each range, 700, 800 and 900 metres over three days. The competition uses the Palma target which has a 44 inch aiming mark and decimal scoring meaning the highest possible score for each match is 150.15. The championship is only held every four years in conjunction with the Palma Match.

At the end of shoot, there is always cleaning to be done

Day 16 Mon 27 Aug 07

Rob Rush carrying the flag for Australia at the Official Opening

The World Long Range Championships began this afternoon with the ceremonial first shot and the official opening ceremony at Connaught. Rob Rush carried the flag for Australia as this is his sixth Palma team. Rob first represented Australia in 1976 and has been in two winning Palma teams in 1979 and 1988. The event was attended by the Australian High Commissioner, HE Wiliam Fisher, who hosted a reception for the team at his residence last week. The ceremony included performances by the Central Band of the Canadian Forces and a native dance group.

Ron Whalen on Day 1 of the Individual World Long Range Championships

Ron Whalen kept a clean sheet ending the first match on the first day of the Individual World Championships third out of a total of 388 of the world's best competitors with a 150.13. Rob Cadden came 9th with 150.11 and George Edser 13th with the same score. Many of the team are taking a break this week to do some sight seeing (including me) so if you're looking up the DCRA results the three above will be listed along with Darren Enslin, Mark Buchanan, Andrew Sims, Gillian Webb-Enslin, Gordon Duncan, Rob Rush, Gil Walker, Xavier McLaurin and Dean Smith.

Top three Australians (4th, 5th, 6th) in the Governor General's Final 50
Bruce Scott, Mark Buchanan and Andrew Sims
The winner can be seen being chaired off the range

Above is a nice photo which was taken by Darren Enslin on Saturday of the three top Australians in the Governor General's Final as the rest of the team looked on in No 1s.

Team members watching the final 50

Day 15 - Sun 26 Aug 07

The Australian Under 25 Rifle Team win the Bronze Medal
in the International Match
Standing: Ryan Schlam, Nathan Smith, Meredith Nestor, Morgan Owen,
DCRA Presenter, David Brown, Lindsay Metcalf, Dean Smith
Kneeling: Erica Young, Leigh Hunt, Xavier McLaurin,
Chloe Angelatos, John-Ross Mitchell

The DCRA are reviewing the scores for the Australian Under 25 Team posted on their website as there was a little glitch in their computer programme yesterday and several of our individual scores along with the total do not agree with our records. DCRA believe the totals below to be correct at this time and individual results will be posted when confirmed. As you can see the resuls were very close right to the last shots at 900m.

Match scores are listed on the DCRA website under Results, Sun 26 Aug 2007, Under 25 World Champion (SS).

The Australian Under 25 Team came out on fire this morning dropping only two points at 300 yards in the Under 25 International Match and turning heads with a opening score of 398.41 out of 400. We were steady at 600 yards and 800m then took the lead after opening strongly at 900m. We were overtaken in blustery conditions in the late afternoon to finish in third place to Great Britain and the USA.

Dean Smith from Qld opened the match under Lindsay Metcalf from WA
and top scored on the range with 198.21 in the U25 International Match

Under 25 Australian team members wore Australian flag tattoos on their non shooting cheeks in a symbol of solidarity which epitomised their oneness of team spirit throughout the competition. Their on mound discipline was immaculate which contributed to the team consistently finishing before other teams at each range.

Xavier McLaurin opened for Australia's Under 25 Team

Dean Smith and Xavier McLaurin opened with 50.5 and 49.6 respectively and by the end of the day Dean had top scored on the range with 198.21 among thirty two of the world's best Under 25 rifle shooters from Australia, Great Britain, USA and Canada. Xavier finished the day with 193.15.

Chloe Angelatos and Erica Young shooting for Australia

Erica and Chloe after their pair of 50.5s at 300 yards

Chloe Angelatos and Erica Young followed with a pair of 50.5s, a high five and a hug as they marched up to the firing point in unison and marched back with big smiles. Chloe finished with 194.17 and Erica with a 194.12.

Lindsay Metcalf centres the group for Nathan Smith

Morgan Owen got up with a 50.6 at the first range of the International Match

Nathan Smith and Morgan Owen scored 49.3 and 50.6 at 300 putting pressure on the closing pair. The boys from the bush on opposite sides of Australia finished the day with 191.11 for Nathan and 186.11 for Morgan after some savage winds at 900 metres.

David Brown closing for the Under 25 Team with 50.4 the first range

JR solid and steady with 50.7 at 300 yards

David Brown and John-Ross Mitchell finished the range with a 50.4 and a 50.7, demonstrating their mental strength as closing team members. The young men from NSW ended the match with a 190.18 for JR and 196.18 for David.

Coaches Lindsay Metcalf and Ryan Schlam relaxing between ranges

Leig Hunt check scoring for the team

Family support from Barry and Marie Schlam,
Debbie Hunt, Donna Merritt and Anna Sweeney

In a thrilling match which went to the wire in the wind at 900m, the young Australians were supported by the full strength of the Palma team with multiple Queens winners volunteering to be register keepers, carrying the score board and scrutineering in the butts.

The Australian Palma Team supported the Under 25s for the whole match

The Australian Under 25 Rifle Team gather proudly
around their score board at 900m at Connaught Range

Day 14 - Sat 25 Aug 07

Australia shooting the Canada Match

Gil Walker from Tasmania shooting the Canada Match

Matt Taylor from NSW preparing for the Canada Match

The Palma Team lined up for the Canada Match this morning with 2 and 10 at 300, 500 and 600 yards. The team took 4th place with a score of 1191.178 behind Great Britain, USA and Canada. The winning score of 1199.183 is likely to be a Canadian Record for this match. Australian team members rallied together in an outstanding display of cameraderie after a bull on the wrong target at 600m. Canada Match scores are listed on the DCRA website under Results, Sat 25 Aug 2007, The Canada Match (S-S).

Australia Under 25 Team shooting the Short Range Teams Match

Nathan Smith from Premer in NSW

The Under 25 team shot the International Short Range Teams Match at 300, 500 and 600 yards and came in 4th with a score of 1162.107 after the USA, Great Britain and Canada. The match was won with a score of 1188.131.

Leigh Hunt from Calliope in Queensland coached by Ryan Schlam

Short Range Teams Match scores are listed on the DCRA website under Results, Sat 25 Aug 2007, The Under 25 Intl Short Ranges (S-S).

Xavier McLaurin from Melbourne in Victoria

The team were not satisfied with the result and after some analysis it was decided to refine some physical processes and mental skills. After lunch all the team members proceeded to participate in skill specific dry training exercises on the 300m range under the instruction of technique coach Meredith Nestor, in preparation for the International match on Sunday. The team then went back to the hotel to enjoy the evening meal together at Darcy McGees and settle down for an early night.

The Under 25 Team regroup after the short range match

Australian team members ranked highly in the MacDonald Stewart Grand Aggregate which concluded on Friday and is made up of 17 matches, the MacDougall, 500, 600, Beckett 300, 800, Brick 500, 600, Letson 300, 500, 600, Alexander of Tunis 900, President's 300, 500, 600, Gibson 300, 600, 800 and the Gatineau 900. There were 532 entries and medals are awarded to the top 25. The open and under 25 winners are presented with their awards at the McDonald Stewart Dinner on Friday night at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. The results are listed on the DCRA website under Results, Fri 24 Aug 2007, MacDonald Stewart Grand Aggr.

The MacDonald Stewart Grand Aggregate Placings

Bruce Scott 4th, Darren Enslin 6th, Mark Buchanan 31st, Gray Robertson 26th

Gillian Webb-Enslin 33rd, George Edser 40th, Geoff Grosskreutz 49th, Tim Berry 54th

Jim Jeffery 58th, Barry Schlam 60th, Ron Whalen 68th, Janet Wagland 73rd

Rob Cuthbert 77th, Rob Cadden 82nd, Matt Taylor 89th, John Ashton 85th

Andrew Sims 97th, Jan Dyer 106th, Gordon Duncan 120th, Rob Rush 125th

Rob Sandlant 175th, Gil Walker 179th, Rick Scoones 185th

The Governor General's Final in the afternoon consisted of a shoulder to shoulder shoot off at 800 and 900m between the top 50 in the President's Match. The scores are listed on the DCRA website under Results, Sat 25 Aug 2007, Governor General's Prize.

Governor General's Top 50 Final Placings

Bruce Scott 4th, Mark Buchanan 5th, Andrew Sims 6th, Gray Robertson 25th

Jan Dyer 26th, Ron Whalen 35th, Rob Cuthbert 43rd, Gillian Webb-Enslin 50th.

The DCRA have a magnificent array of trophies

Bill Plouffe, DCRA Executive Officer, took around two hours to honour the many winners from the meeting in front of a packed audience in the marquee. The DCRA has a magnificent array of trophies which were beautifully displayed and each winner was officially photographed with their trophy.

Australia won the Outlander Trophy

Australian Coach Greg Warrian won three trophies in F Class

The Palma Team changed into No 1 uniform for the presentations where we watched Darren Enslin, Gillian Webb-Enslin and the Outlander Team received their awards and Greg Warrian receive three trophies.

Darren Enslin won the Colonel John C Brick Trophy

Gilliam Webb-Enlsin won the Alexander of Tunis Trophy

Day 13 - Fri 24 Aug 07

Mark Buchanan shoots off to win Silver in the Gil Boa Aggregate

Mark Buchanan lined up for his second shoot off in two days for in rainy conditions after scoring 200.28 in the Gil Boa Aggregate. He hammered in a 25.2 to win the silver medal in the shoot off at 800m.

Ron, Gillian, Mark, Darren and Tim enjoying the rain protected by ponchos

Today's individual match, the Gatineau, consisted of 15 shots at 900m in the morning prior to the long range teams matches in the afternoon. Australia has a variety of 900m and 1000 yard ranges around the states so team members have plenty of training at the longer ranges.

Jim Jeffery and Rob Cuthbert preparing for 900m on C Range

After lunch 3/4 of the Palma team lined up for the Commonwealth Teams Match, 12 shooters firing 10 shots at 800 and 900m. The custom designed communications equipment Jan, Rick and the plotters are wearing below is proving to be extremely effective and reliable. Myrtle the Inertl telescope, loaned to the team by Rick Ashton, gives Rick a wide field of view, essential when the team is firing on up to four targets simultaneously, as occurs in the Palma Match.

Rick Scoones at the helm with Jan Dyer in the Commonwealth Teams Match

The Team Captain and Coaches took the opportunity to test some strategies for the Palma Match and Australia was placed 4th behind Great Britain, USA and South Africa. Australia was 9 points off the lead with a score of 1166.106.

Tim Berry shooting in the Commonwealth Match coached by Gordon Duncan

Tim and Catherine Berry at Connaught

Preparing to change plotters during the U25 Long Range Teams Match

The Under 25 Long Range Teams Match followed the same format of 2 and 10 at 800 and 900m and the young Australians scored 755.56, placing a comfortable second after Great Britain. The match commenced in the rain and after it dried up the wind took off with a vengeance across the range. Lindsay Metcalf and Ryan Schlam, both from WA, are experienced wind coaches at national and international level.

Morgan Owen from Kalgoorlie WA and
John-Ross Mitchell from Old Toongabbie NSW prepare for 800m

Chloe Angelatos from Perth WA and
Erica Young from Armidale NSW preparing to fire at 900m

The under 25 team members have all paid for their own travel to this competition and are grateful for the great support they have received from Australian shooters during their fund raising activities. Many come from country towns and have to travel long distances to participate in team training.

Rex Wigney in the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Dining Room

International teams were priviledged to receive limited invitations to the McDonald Stewart Dinner this evening which was held at the famous Fairmont Chateau Laurier, near the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa. Team Captain Rick Scoones, Manager Rex Wigney and Vice Captains Gray Robertson and Bruce Scott attended on behalf of the Australian Palma Team. Team Captain Lindsay Metcalf, Vice Captain Ryan Schlam, Manager Meredith Nestor and NRAA Executive Officer Catherine Berry represented the Under 25 Australian Team.

Team Captain Lindsay Metcalf and Vice Captain Ryan Schlam
at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier

This historic hotel opened in 1912 and has hosted royalty, politicians and film stars such as Queens Elizabeth, Winston Churchill and Shirley Temple. It is simply breathtaking with cathedral like ceilings, magnificent drapes and antique furniture. Guests, including the Grand Aggregate winner and Under 25 Champion of the Canadian Fullbore Rifle Championships, were treated to a sumptuous meal served on Noritake china with silver cutlery in a dining room almost the size of the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Day 12 - Thu 23 Aug 07

Australian Palma Rifle Team Reception
at the residence of the Australian High Commissioner to Canada

Defence Attache Lieutenant Colonel Lyndon Anderson,
Vice Captain Gray Robertson, Assistant Manager (Major) Meredith Nestor,
Australian High Commissioner to Canada
H.E. William Fisher and his wife Kerry Fisher,
Team Captain Rick Scoones, Vice Captain (Brigadier) Bruce Scott
and Manager (Lieutenant Colonel Ret) Rex Wigney and Gomery

Today was a rest day, built into the program in case any matches had been lost to unforseen circumstances. Most conveniently it rained for most of the day while the team members enjoyed a rare sleep in and some time for personal administration. The highlight of the evening was attending a reception at the residence of the Australian High Commissioner to Canada, H.E. William Fisher.

The Australian High Commissioner's Residence in Ottawa

Bill and his wife Kerry welcomed the Australian Palma Rifle team into the historic house in Sandy Hill which was occupied in 1940 after the Germans vacated it hastily in 1939. The house was built in 1910 making it the oldest Australian diplomatic residence in the world. It has two spruce trees in the garden, one planted by Sir Robert Menzies which is as tall as the two storey house, and one which is under 2 metres high recently planted by Prime Minister John Howard. The High Commissioner will be accompanying the Canadian Prime Minister on a visit to Australia next month.

Bill and Kerry Fisher present Liam with a birthday cake

Today Liam Wigney, one of three children accompanying parents in the team, celebrated his 7th birthday. Kerry Fisher very kindly surprised Liam with a magnificent chocolate cake, Bill wished him a happy birthday and the team sang "Happy Birthday" in the reception hall of the residence. No doubt it will be some years before Liam comprehends the significance of this event, he was just happy that he didn't miss out on getting a birthday cake and blowing out candles on his special day. He did whisper a little later "how did she know it was my birthday?".

Rick Scoones presents Bill and Kerry Fisher with a team plaque

The Palma Rifle Team is only the second Australian team to visit the High Commissioner's residence and Team Captain Rick Scoones presented Bill and Kerry with a commemorative plaque in recognition of our visit.

The Australian Palma Team enjoy the hospitality of our High Commissioner

Gomery, the Fisher's Standard Poodle, was a hit with the team, especially as he posed magnificently on request for photos.

Day 11 - Wed 22 Aug 07

Mark Buchanan wins Silver in the Presidents Match

Mark Buchanan was narrowly pipped in a three way shoot off for the Presidents Match, providing a thrilling spectacle for the crowds as yet another Australian Palma Team member lined up in the third shoot off in four days. Mark is well known in Australia and overseas as this is his third Australian Team and he has won eight No 1 Queen's Badges. Parag Patel was surrounded by a sea of green and gold as he watched the contest from among the large contingent of Australians that have gathered in support for each of the shoot offs.

Mark shooting off for the President's supported by the Team

Team members shot individually at 800m, 300m and 600 yds this morning for the Gibson Match which forms part of the Grand. They then lined up in teams of eight for the Outlander, the first teams match of the Championships, consisting of 15 shots at 600 yds and 900 m.

Australia wins the Outlander Match

John Ashton shooting the Outlander coached by Jan Dyer

Australia was posted as the winner of the Outlander Match on the DCRA website on the day after the match. There were fifteen teams of eight competing representing Great Britain, USA, South Africa, New Zealand, Channel Islands, Ireland, Kenya, Germany and the West Indies. John Ashton pictured above was one of the winning eight that collectively scored 1193.156, and were coached by two outstanding Australian women shooters, Jan Dyer from the Northern Territory and Janet Wagland from Western Australia. Jan has won a total of five Grand Aggregates and Janet is a Queen's Prize Winner making a formidable wind coaching pair in tandem.

Bruce Scott top scored for Australia with 150.23

Barry Schlam, Jim Jeffery and Gray Robertson shooting the Outlander

The second eight coached by Queenslanders Rob Cadden and Gordon Duncan were just one point behind in fourth place with a score of 1192.148. The total of the sixteen Australian Palma Team shooters was 2385.304, three points ahead of the GB total of 2382.305 and the USA total of 2382.294. Outlander scores are listed on the DCRA website under Results, Wed 22 Aug 2007, The Outlander Match (S-S).

The Under 25 Team prepare for the Outlander Match at 900m

The Outlander for Under 25 teams consists of 15 shots at 900m followed by 7 shots each at 500 and 600 yds. There are four teams competing, Australia, Great Britain, USA and Canada. The Australian Under 25 Team put in an outstanding performance at 500 yds, only dropping three points between eight shooters. The final result showed the team came third with a score of 1112.85, behind Great Britain on 1133.110 and the USA on 1126.112. Outlander scores are listed on the DCRA website under Results, Wed 22 Aug 2007, The Outlander U25U21(S-S).

The Under 25s at 600 yards in the Outlander

As the last match finished at 6.30 pm, the team members flashed back to the hotel and returned to Connaught in No 1 uniform for the International Teams function.

The Australian table offering wine, beer, koalas and flags

Australia came prepared with national flags, koalas and other items to give away to fellow team members. Our table was decorated and a selection of Australian wine and beer was served up in competition with Jamaican Rum, English Pimms, German Schnaptz and a variety of other international drinks.

Meredith Nestor with Nancy Tompkins

This is a wonderful friendly unofficial function which is organised by the international teams and facilitated by the DCRA where many old friends get together and new friendships are forged.

Day 10 - Tue 21 Aug 07

Gillian Webb-Enslin wins the Alexander of Tunis

This morning we were excited to learn that Gillian Webb Enslin had won the Gold Medal in the Alexander of Tunis match at 900m with a score of 50.8 yesterday. There were no shoot offs needed as Gilli stayed in front of Matt Taylor who took out the Silver Medal with a 50.7. Four other Australian Palma team members won bronze in the top 35 places. Mark Buchanan will shoot off tomorrow against two others for the President's Match after scoring 150.23 over 300m, 500 & 600 yd.

Greg Warrian wins Bronze in F Class

Greg Warrian is the only member of the Australian Palma team to be shooting F Class in the individual matches. Greg has won medals in several CFRC matches and aggregates so far but his primary purpose is to gain experience with the wind in preparation for coaching in the Palma match.

Nathan Smith weighs in

Most of the Under 25 team took the opportunity to see the sights during the CFRC matches as these are optional events. The first teams match is the Outlander which commences tomorrow afternoon with 15 shots at 900m followed by 7 at 500 and 600 yds. Reg Wagland is seen here providing technical assistance to the Nathan Smith as he tested his trigger.

David Brown displays his sign writing talent

The Australian Under 25 Rifle Team have the most distinctive vehicles on the range with our custom designed banners adorning the windows of our hire cars. David, who is a sign writer by profession, designed and manufactured the signs prior to leaving Australia. With hundreds of hire cars on the range, which all look the same, it is very useful to have unique identifying signs on the cars.

Ryan Schlam, Lindsay Metcalf, Barry Schlam and Rick Scoones

Australia has a large number of members from Western Australia, including the Captain and two coaches in the Palma team and Captain and Coach in the Under 25 team. Father and son combination Barry and Ryan Schlam are both representing their nation at this event and the team also contains four married couples.

Day 9 - Mon 20 Aug 07

Darren Enslin wins the Colonel John C Brick Match

Two Australians contested a five way shoot off for the Colonel John C Brick match with five shots at 600 yards. Darren Enslin posted 25.3 to take the match from four others, including fellow Australian Ron Whalen who lined up for his second shoot off in two days. Darren showed today that he maintains the same cool determination that won him the Individual World Long Range Championship in 1999.

Darren Enslin shooting off beside Ron Whalen

Darren Enslin and Gillian Webb Enslin, a formidable shooting team

The secret behind Darren's win today was the email he and Gillian received from their two sons, Matthew and Dean back home in Australia, via the team email address. The message arrived last night and was delivered under their hotel room door this morning. The team managers have been posting all the email messages of support from family and friends on the wall of the breakfast room at the hotel. Gillian was also inspired scoring possibles in all four of her matches today.

Gil Walker, Barry Schlam and Rob Cadden

Members of the team enjoyed the mild weather, gentle wind and readable mirage on the ranges today so the team average was pleasingly high, especially the centre counts. The members spend time studying the conditions between relays at the CFRC matches, which are all good practice for the Palma Match.

Lindsay Metcalf and Ryan Schlam

Ryan and Lindsay decided that driving around in one of the DCRA's golf buggys was much more fun than shooting and spent much of the afternoon exploring the roads around the camp together.

Day 8 - Sun 19 Aug 07

Ron Whalen wins a Silver Medal in the Tilton

Todays programme consisted of the Norman Beckett at 300m and 800m, and Colonel John C Brick at 500, 600 yard which form part of the Grand. The highlight of today's shoot was the four way shoot off for the Tilton Trophy at the end of the day. Ron Whalen won the silver medal with a score of 25.3 from an Irishman who scraped in with 25.4. Ron is renowned for being cool under pressure and the huge spectator crowd were thrilled by the close competition between the four contenders. Ron will shoot off again tomorrow with Darren Enslin and three others after scoring 100.15 in the Colonel John Brick Aggregate. Todays scores in the Grand Aggregate are on the Results page. Matches not forming part of the Grand Agg (such as the Tilton) are not yet listed.

Ron Whalen shooting off supported by the Australian Contingent

The Australian contingent lined up along the fence at 600 yds to support Ron during the shoot off. The visual effect of the blue, green and gold en masse is indicative of the solidarity of the team members.

Gillian Webb Enslin after passing the trigger test

Australian team members have found all the DCRA range and office staff to be cheerful and helpful. Random trigger testing is carried out during the individual matches and all range commands are given in both French and English as Canada has two official languages.

The Marking Girls being transported out of the butts on A Range

All the marking is done by high school aged girls from the Smith Falls school where the Chief Butts Officer is a teacher. They are required to wear helmets and safety glasses while they are marking from 0800 until shooting finishes, which can be well after 1800 in the evening when there are shoot offs. This is an extremely long day to maintain concentration across a total of 146 targets. Unfortunately yesterday in the individual matches, a couple of our members were signalled odd shots amongst otherwise tight groups however this is always viewed as an opportunity to practice mental skills and individual recovery techniques. The Australian team member's thrive on contingency training for the 'What Ifs' which invariably occur on match day.

Meredith Nestor and Rex Wigney managing the teams

Hard at work keeping the families and friends at home up to date, I was surprised by Catherine as she snapped this shot in our hotel room. The Days Inn provides free high speed internet access which enables us to maintain the website with ease. This was one of the reasons this hotel was selected for the team, as well as the reasonable rates, proximity to the range and shops, and spacious rooms. The work continues at the range in our team room where Rex maintains the scores on the white board and electronically after taking care of admin, shopping and lunch in the mornings.

Day 7 - Sat 18 Aug 07

Rob Rush cleaning his rifle flanked by George Edser and John Ashton

Rex booked a large room for the team at the range, in Building 23, where they meet, prepare, eat and clean rifles at the end of the day. Tables have been arranged to form a square inside which there is a tarpaulin which collects all the cleaning residue. With up to 25 firers competing it provides a very efficient use of space.

Gillian and Rob Cuthbert preparing for individual matches

The Canadian Fullbore Rifle Championships (CFRC) matches began this morning with a total of 583 competitors entered in individual and teams matches. In the Tilton at 300m and 600 yards, Ron Whalen equal top scored with three others on a score of 100.14 and will shoot off tomorrow for the Trophy. The Macdougall is the first day of the Macdonald Stewart Grand Aggregate and has 520 entries. After 300m and 500m, nine members of the Australian Palma Team finished in the top 50. In comparison only four of the GB Palma team made the list along with their Manager. Individual scores for the Grand are on the Results page and will be updated progressively.

A spectator's view of D Range at 300 Metres

The classification ranges at Connaught stretch over a wide frontage opposite the DCRA Headquarters with a common rear firing point behind a low mesh fence adjacent to the road. On the left, the A Range has 40 targets and firing points up to 600 yards. Not sure where B Range is however C Range is to the right beside the dividing berm and consists of 76 targets and firing points up to 900m. On the right of the next berm is the 300m range which has another 30 targets.

Nathan Smith and Morgan Owen in front of the DCRA HQ

Firing is conducted concurrently at various distances giving maximum flexibility to the organisers and spectacular views for spectators from anywhere along the road. The three ranges extend over 1km from one side to the other necessitating a great deal of walking in between matches. The Palma team raided the local hardware stores and purchased available stocks of 'hand trucks' to alleviate carrying their equipment while the Under 25s looked compact carrying their rifles in soft covers with canvas kit bags.

Gray Robertson towing his 'hand truck'

The day finished with the DCRA Meet and Greet function which was attended by all overseas teams. 350 guests enjoyed a substantial meal of barbecued steak, mushroom sauce, baked potatoes, sour cream, loads of vegetables and desert in the DCRA Marquee at the range. The bar was well set up with an 'express beer' section to cater for the large gathering. Despite the cold, the atmosphere was exceptionally warm as old friends from all over the world caught up with one another and new friends were made.

Day 6 - Fri 17 Aug 07

Gray Robertson and Gordon Duncan at 900m

The second day of practice went smoothly with both Australian and Under 25 teams building on the previous days tight groups and consistent elevation. Gordon Duncan and Gray Robertson swapped coach/shooter roles in preparation for the individual CFRC Matches which commence on Saturday. The specially boxed ammunition is delivering a consistent centre count to all shooters confirming the team's faith in the Dyer projectile and Tru-Flite barrels.

George Edser and Rob Cadden at 900m

George Edser and Rob Cadden survey the clouds and the flags at 900m as the weather change moved into view. Morgan, Nathan and Chloe anticipated the rain and distributed wet weather gear to the plotters, shooters and coaches. The waterproof ponchos from Wellington Surplus Store in Perth proved to be a wise choice providing visual uniformity as well as total protection from the driving rain which rolled in late into the day.

Leigh, Morgan, Nathan and Chloe preparing for the storm

The rain storm came with fierce winds and a sudden drop in temperature in the afternoon giving all the coaches some conditions to really sink their teeth into at 900m. Chloe Angelatos from WA took the weather in her stride during the practices as do all our Under 25s who thrive on challenges of all kinds.

Chloe Angelatos at 900m

Team Captains Rick Scoones and Lindsay Metcalf finished the day with meetings to discuss the achievement of the training objectives for each session. Senior Vice Captain Gray Robertson reiterated local shooting rules and the Junior Vice Captain Bruce Scott broke the team into fits of laughter with an impromptu kangaroo court. He managed to excise fines from all of those members who had erred in some way since departing Australia, with particular focus on those who appeared to be hiding at the back of the room. A loud rendition of "Happy Birthday" in the Irish Pub ensured all the patrons shared the joy of another birthday celebration by one of our Under 25 team members.

Day 5 - Thu 16 Aug 07

Bruce Scott and Janet Wagland at 900m

The first day of practice began in the morning on D Range at 300 metres as teams reported for their allotted block of time. With targets costing $8.00 per 15 minutes, the pace was fast with shooters rolling on and off the mound with the same rythym as a match day. The butts are manned by "the girls" from a local school and the Range and Butts Officers were friendly and helpful as we learned to use breech flags and remain in position until cleared.

David Brown, Lindsay Metcalf and the team at 300m

The Australian Team confidently demonstrated the consistent grouping they achieved at Belmont and all the specialist equipment performed to expectations. The Under 25 Team displayed their smooth on mound procedures and ease of mobility on foot which they had developed in practice. Their teamsmanship was evident as the tightly knit members put in a solid performance.

Rob Cadden, Ron Whalen and the Palma Team at 900m

At 300m the wind was still, the sky overcast and the temperature cool. Both teams rolled through the short range in their allotted time and had a long break before reporting to C Range for the 900 metre practice. In contrast by 1330 the wind was blowing up to 14 minutes and a thunder storm threatened to the North. The team members proved their wet weather gear was completely effective when the heavens opened up after just a few shots and other teams went running for cover. We decided to leave the open range when the lightning got close but within about 30 minutes we were back to bright sunshine, warm temperstures and humidity.

Ryan Schlam, Erica Young and David Brown

At the evening meeting the Management Team agreed it had been an excellent training session which had allowed team members to practice for a variety of conditions in a short space of time.

Day 4 - Wed 15 Aug 07

Australian Palma Rifle Team

Australian Under 25 Rifle Team

Catherine Berry, Bruce Scott and Geoff Grosskreutz were up early again to attend Day 2 of the ICFRA meetings. The Palma team carried out rehearsals with equipment while the Under 25 team enjoyed a free day. The teams dressed up for official photos in front of the DCRA building in the evening. Unfortunately a few people caught a bus which went in the opposite direction to the hotel and it looked as though we wouldn't make our appointment with the photographer however we all got there in our dress uniforms eventually.

Day 3 - Tue 14 Aug 07

DCRA Headquarters

Connaught C Range - 900m

Catherine Berry, Bruce Scott and Geoff Grosskreutz were up early to attend Day 1 of the ICFRA meetings. The teams held coordination meetings and carried out personal gear checks. Team books and goodies were handed out after which we went shopping in all directions, to Wal Mart (everything), the Drug Store (groceries), the Canadian Tire (hardware) and Zellers (mobile phones and other stuff). The Under 25s visited the Connaught ranges as a team and were complimented for not playing with the big gun. The team congregated at D'arcy McGee's Irish Pub, which is attached to the ground floor of our hotel, for dinner and drinks and caught up with seven members who had travelled independantly to Canada.

Morgan Owen, Chloe Angelatos, Erica Young,
Lindsay Metcalf and Ryan Schlam at Connaught

Day 2 - Mon 13 Aug 07

Gillian Webb-Enslin and Rex Wigney in front of the Officers Mess

The Big Guns outside the Officers Mess at Connaught

After breakfast the team vehicles were picked up from Hertz at Kanata which included 6 x 7 seater vans, a sedan, a cargo truck and a pick up truck. The thrill of driving on the opposite side of the road for the first time is up there with the Tower of Terror at Dreamworld for an adrenalin rush but we soon got the hang of it. Three pallets of team cargo, which had been transported efficiently by Deugro all the way from Australia, was also collected and stored in a room kindly provided by our hosts at the Days Inn Ottawa West. The Senior team visited the Connaught ranges as a team and were chastised for climbing on the big gun in front of the Officers Mess.

Day 1 - Sun 12 Aug 07
Australian Rifle Team travels to Canada

Rex Wigney, Bruce Scott and Rick Scoones at Brisbane Aiport

Erica Young and John-Ross Mitchell at Toronto Airport

Members of the Australian Palma Rifle Team and the Under 25 Australian Rifle Team have all arrived safely in Canada to contest the 2007 World Championships. The international movement of shooting teams is challenging and the managers spent many months planning and coordinating the journey to ensure the best outcome for the team.

Dick and Bernadette at Journeys Worldwide in Brisbane coordinated all the team travel and we followed their expert advice as Canadian specialists. Korean Air were selected as our preferred airline because they offered generous excess baggage terms which they backed up in writing. Their staff demonstrated a professional approach to the strategic movement of our shooting team and our thanks to Cameron for his support.

32 people departed from Brisbane and 16 departed from Sydney at 9.00 am on 12 August with Korean Air, meeting in Seoul after a 10 hour flight at 6.00 pm local time. During 3 hours at Incheon Airport, the teams discovered KFC and Subway as well as enjoying the local Korean cuisine and duty free shopping. A 747 jumbo took the next 13 hours to bring us smoothly in on schedule to Toronto at 9.00 pm on the same day we departed. Catherine Berry, EO NRAA, enjoyed the longest birthday of her life (38 hours), while flying with the team to Ottawa for the official ICFRA Meetings on 14/15 August.

Canadian officials were prepared for our arrival and processed the team in a specially designated area, free of other passengers. By 12.00 am 48 people had cleared Customs, been photographed and issued with our Canadian firearms licences as required and were on the bus. Loading all those rifle boxes filled up the luggage bays so some left over bags were man handled and stacked on the back seat of the coach. Despite the long flight we enjoyed the 5 hour drive to Ottawa, especially when our coach driver Andre took us to a local road house for coffee and bagels at 1.00 am in the morning.

As the dawn rose we turned into the Days Inn at Ottawa West where the staff had all our room keys ready for collection. The lobby was clear of both bodies and bags by 6.00 am, despite one lift being out of service. We enjoyed hot showers in our spacious rooms followed by a late breakfast of toast, english muffins, cereal, juice, tea and coffee in our dedicated meeting room.

Australia On Target
World Long Range Rifle Championships

The Australian Rifle Team will travel to the Connaught Ranges in Canada to contest the Palma Match on the 1st and 2nd of September 2007. Australia is proud to be one of only five countries to have competed in the original Centennial International Long Range Match, which was held at the Creedmore Range in New York, USA in 1876. Subsequently the event became known as the Palma Trophy Teams Match and it has been shot 26 times officially between 1876 and 2003. Australia has competed 13 times, in 1876, 1903, 1907, 1971, 1976, 1979, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1999 and 2003.

The Palma Match is shot at distances of 800, 900 and 1000 yards on imperial ranges such as Belmont, and 700, 800 and 900 metres on metric ranges such as Connaught. Teams of 16 men and women, in four squads of four, fire 15 shots at each distance, repeated over two days. Each squad is controlled by a coach who applies corrections for wind to the iron sights of .308 calibre rifles. Full bore team shooting is an endurance sport and the Palma Match is a unique, shoulder to shoulder, international competition of marksmanship skills.

Only five countries have won this match, out of a total of 24 national teams (not counting composite teams). Australia has won the Palma Match twice, at Trentham in New Zealand in 1979, and at home at Malabar in Sydney in 1988. The Australia Rifle Team is looking to follow up their 2005 success in the Australia Match at Belmont in Brisbane, when they defeated Great Britain and New Zealand with a record score of 1977.217.

The Palma Trophy

The Palma Trophy was originally named the Grand Centennial Trophy, in honour of the Centennial celebration of the independance of the United States of America. It was commissioned from Tiffanny’s at a cost of $1500, which was raised from popular subscriptions.
The trophy was a full sized replica of a Roman Legion standard, seven and one half feet tall, executed in bronze with silver and gold inlay. On the banner of the standard was the legend, “In the name of the United States of America to the Riflemen of the World”. Above the banner was the single word, “PALMA”, the latin word for palm tree, which was used by the Romans to signify victory, or the ultimate in excellence.
The original trophy has not been seen since 1954. Serving in its place is a copy which was made from the original Tiffany blue prints at a cost of $32,500. The countries that have competed for the trophy and their scores are listed on the results page.