Sydney shooters of recent years well know Wal.  It is with great sadness that we lost Wal last Wednesday in an unforseen traffic accident.  Wal was apparently crossing the road when he was struck by a car.

 There are many rumours as to how old Wal was.  Some said late 70’s, others said mid 80’s.  No matter the age, Wal always walked with a spring in his step and enthusiasm for his passion and hobby – shooting.

 Silverdale shooters of the mid 90’s through to our departure of the range a couple of years ago would agree that Wal was a dedicated and hard working person who loved his Mausers…often with various and continuously revised home improvements.

 Many of us also knew Wal as a person with a very young heart and a very soul.  Wal went in for a hernia operation a few years back.  Within a few weeks of the operation, Wal was at a Silverdale range working bee lifting things a fitter and younger person would not consider to attempt.

 There are many memorable moments with Wal, but his nick name “The Target Master” brings back joyful times with Wal’s at Silverdale while Harry was Captain.  Wal would be at the range before the sparrows would wake.  Often, those arriving into the carpark after Wal’s arrival, would find themselves manoeuvring their vehicle between target frames scattered all over the carpark ground while Wal, on hands and knees, and glasses mounted, with hammer in hand, he always found a target frame or target equipment that needed a nail.  Wal would gladly oblige.

 Recent years have had our activities moved to the ANZAC range, not allowing all our other gentleman shooters like Wal to freely participate at our meets on a regular basis.  Wal did typically and continue to support our Sydney Cup.  He was always a character of joy and laughter as he denied any knowledge of Dick Bennett’s rumours, and undercurrent chatter of “yes, yes”, “yevol” and “votch an chute…we are chuting?”.

 In respect of Wal, we will dedicate our next Sydney Centrefire rifle meet at ANZAC, 1st of March 2009, 3P Core match in Wal’s name.  Wal was always excited to shoot a 3P, and in that theme, the March meet is only fitting.

 RIP…Wal, our friend.

David Waters