CLAY PIGEON SHOOT

Adrian VAN PUTTEN - Year 7

5th Annual Yarra Valley School Clay Pigeon Shoot

Thursday 3 May, saw the running of the Yarra Valley School Clay Target Competition for the 5th year in a row. This is run by Melbourne Clay Target Club in conjunction with Lilydale High School and is open to any full time high school student with a Junior Shooting Licence. It has become a popular and must attend event for many schools across the state and we had a NSW school from Walla Walla attend this year as well.

In the past, students from the Hutchins School in Tasmania have attended, but unfortunately, a clash with school holidays made it difficult for them this year.

Just short of 150 students attended this year and competition was stiff. Aislin Jones from Bairnsdale, a Rio Olympic competitor and Queensland Commonwealth Games competitor, won the Senior Girls event.

Jack Stockdale from Leongatha High School, recent winner of a National Championship in New Zealand, won the Senior Boys event. He was narrowly beaten by one shot, to take out the overall top prize of the day, which was won by Aaron Barling from Gippsland Grammar.

The schools teams’ event was also won by Gippsland Grammar, consisting of Aaron, Jack Prestney, Lachie Anderson, Hayden Johnson and Alex Chan.

Wonthaggi High school was well represented with Charlie Cook, Lily Hamilton, Dakota Sucking and Jasmyn Kent all taking home ribbons.

Other prizewinners on the day were Lachlan Flemming and Rowan Flemming from Lavalla Catholic College and Renae Jones and Chelsea Beechey from Nagle College.

Finally, two Lilydale High School students, Darcy Lloyd and Adrian Van-Putten both took home prizes in the Junior Boys event.

We would like to thank, Bronze Wing and in particular, Anna Shedrina for their ongoing support of this event. Not only did Bronze Wing supply the ammunition but also the extensive array of prizes that were on offer.

Other sponsors on the day we would like to acknowledge were, Feral X pest control services, Pellegrino Travel Agency (Ringwood), Field and Game Australia and the SE zone of the ACTA.

We were particularly honoured to have the Honourable Senator Bridget McKenzie, the Federal Minister of Sport attend the event and present prizes and sashes to the winners on the day. The Senator also joined in the activity and was eagerly coached by a couple of female competitors as she showed her shooting skills, as she broke a number of targets.

Here are some pictures from the event: