2024 Gallery Rifle State Championships

SSAA Townsville Range was host to this year’s Gallery Rifle State Championships on June 8-9. The Sunshine State delivered, as it so frequently does, cracking weather for the more than 20 competitors, including half a dozen juniors, who came from across the state vying to claim a state title. Dave Mitchell, Branch Q22 Shoot Captain, said in terms of junior competitions, it was “one of the best in recent years”. Juniors competed in both the open and junior categories: 11-15 and 15-18 years of age.

Most of the competitors and their families took advantage of the range’s camping facilities, making for a very social weekend.

Competitors put on their very best, but Dave said it was Brett Prasser from Townsville who made quite a name for himself. While not the overall Grand Aggregate winner, Brett did come in second place to Michael Angel from Clermont. Brett’s finish was notable, as he only began shooting Gallery Rifle three months prior to the event. Such a respectable performance so early in his shooting career means he will certainly be on everyone’s radar. Coming in a very respectable third place was Lloyd Marteene, also from Clermont.

Brett Prasser receives his award from Susan Summers.

Gallery Rifle includes short- and medium-distance shooting events for rifles chambered for pistol-calibre cartridges. Matches require shooters to load and shoot very quickly either at stationary paper or reactive steel targets.