Revision: 24/11/2008
Note: Following is a guide for shooters and organisers relevant to the NSW ANZAC Day Memorial (ADM) event.
It should be used in conjunction with:
- National Rulebook,
- Hosting State Event guide
- Any other guide relevant to the course of the weekend.
Every shooting club and association usually has some type of ANZAC Day memorial activity. The very fact we shoot military and service type firearms of an historical nature, for what ever reason, makes sense that we run an event that commemorates this day, it’s meaning and it’s history.
This match is based on competition with military/service issued rifles. Perhaps one day pistols will be accommodated, but being a new event, time will be the deciding factor.
This event started as a consequence of interest from the Armidale enthusiasts in 2003 while scheduled to host a GP round. This event was accepted as a state based event after the 2003 half AGM.
Emphasis of the event is to go beyond just winners after a series of matches, but to group shooters based on the equipment use by makes, models and issued origins. Rifles such as “SMLE”, “Allies” and “Axis” firearms get grouped into the appropriate category, then each shooter competes against those in their own group. The SMLE was Australia’s favourite, and most historically used rifle, and is separated from the balance of allied firearms as a mark of respect for it’s history.
The Uralla “Woodlawn” range was scheduled to hold a Grand Prix round to be known as the “Dad’s Army Shoot”. Being the weekend this shoot was proposed for also happened to be the ANZAC Day long weekend, the Armidale branch had to double up by default to hold the inaugural ANZAC Day Memorial event. Many branch volunteers turned out to make it a most splendid affair thanks to Peter Szacsvay as the 2003 Discipline Chairman Alternate and Armidale Discipline Captain leaving all the competitors eager for future events.
Ultimately, shooters should support this event simply due to it’s nature and what it represents. ANZAC Day is an important day that should be remember and celebrated. What better way than to do that by participating in what we, as sporting shooters, love.
Hosts should make provisions at the morning briefing to read the Ode and call for 1 minutes silence to remember the occasion.
Shooters are encouraged to dig out their SMLE rifles, or use their co-shooters at the range, and enjoy the event. No matter what rifle shooters may choose to use, there is something for everybody. Every standard and genuine “as issued” rifle on the accepted rifle list can be used in this competition.
Due to the nature of the event, and that SMLE’s are encouraged, hosts should schedule matches that are within the abilities of these rifles in current day remembering these rifles are not getting younger. Any match from the national rule book should work fine, but care should be taken to not string too many matches back to back.
Ranges should be equipped and updated with all the necessary tools, equipment and rules to handle all the advertised events. All rules and procedures for the event should be in accordance with the national rule book and NSW by-laws.
Range should be a minimum of 300m in distance and capable of firing at all ranges up to 300m in various shooting styles and positions (off hand, sitting/kneeling, prone etc).
Where firearms are not easily recognisable to fit into the following categories, shooters must provide evidence to the disputes committee of the equipment they choose to use prior to the event. The disputes committee decision will be final.
Although this competition is open to any rifle that falls within the discipline, this competition places extra emphasis on rifle origins.
Rifle Classes A, B, C - Standard/As Issued - Iron Sights
The above rifles are broken down into:
- SMLE, - Short Magazine Lee Enfield - No.1 varieties,
- ALLIES, - Any rifle used by allied countries in 303, 308, 30-06, etc in
rifles such as No.4, P14, M17, Enfield’s and Springfield’s etc
- AXIS, - Any rifle used by axis countries in 6.5, 7mm, 8mm, etc
in rifles such as Mausers varieties etc
Although pistol is not currently scheduled to run, it may run in the near future. If so, basically the same categories use for rifle will be used for pistol.
There is no bound format for this competition, however courses of fire must come from the national rule book. Local events may be run and count towards the state ANZAC Day Memorial trophies provided the local events do not differ greatly from the national rulebook courses of fire. Rules for local matches must be clearly posted for competitors to make themselves aware of. The SDC should be consulted on this prior to advertising/finalising the event.
Conditions permitting, a minimum of 3 matches must make up the ANZAC Day Memorial aggregate.
Preferably, matches used for the ADM event should be made up of deliberate, rapid, short and long range combinations.
The 2003 inaugural running of the event was a 1 day event and was made up of:
- 300m Deliberate,
- 3P Core Event,
- Rapid Fire B,
….courses of fire, where the 3P and Rapid B events doubled as 2003 GP Round 3. It is expected that the 3P Core event and Rapid B stay fixed to allow shooters to maintain grading and practice.
If the hosts wish to expand the event to a weekend, then more matches may be added at the discretion of the host club after discussions with the SDC.
As above, the duration of the event may be 1 day or more. This is left at the discretion of the host club and consideration should be given to costs, resources and competitor interests.
All host club decisions with regards to this issue should be discussed with the SDC.
As per the national discipline rulebook and NSW amendments and by-laws,
Firearms are divided by make and series into groups of SMLE, ALLIES AND AXIS (refer to rifle classes section).
Where a dispute arises with regards to equipment, the dispute should be lodged with the disputes committee for a final ruling.
The inaugural running was a feeler for what vibe people showed up with. Only 2 groups competed against each other. These were Allies and Axis firearms. There were many shooters who shot SMLE’s, which was very pleasing, and therefore we now have 3 groups in this event. This is the way it should stay.
Rewards (Achievements)
Like any state shoot, there are many achievements for all shooters to aim for when participating in state matches and events. Although self-satisfaction and simply enjoying shooting is the main reason to participate, for many it’s all about travelling to other clubs / ranges and meeting new people. Let’s not forget the practical reasons also like earning Hall of Fame points, maintaining your grade card, or shooting for proficiency awards.
- State perpetual shield for winners by equipment group and aggregate,
- State medals top 6 winners by group and aggregate
- State medals for 1st, 2nd & 3rd open by grade and aggregate
The host club by way of entry fees must cover trophy costs. They should be engraved to correctly recognise the event and what they were awarded for. Consultation with the SDC prior to finalising the trophy list should be made.
All the state based event results must be sent through to the SDC by the next working day, if not by the close of the competition in accordance with the document “Hosting State Events”.
* * * End Of Document * * *