A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WESTERNPORT GUN CLUB / MORNINGTON FIELD AND GAME AUSTRALIA
The Mornington Branch of Field & Game began as a small group of hunting enthusiasts who used to get together once a month and throw clay targets over the mangroves at Jacks Beach near Hastings.
The central idea of the group was to throw clay targets for fun and improve their hunting skills. As the group grew larger than the original dozen or so members, the need for a more appropriate location to shoot was recognised.
On the 27th February 1969 the Shire of Hastings gave approval for the group to establish a more permanent facility on a portion of the Emu Plains Racecourse and Recreation Reserve at Balnarring. The group called themselves the Westernport Gun Club.
This operated until 1999 when insurance issues made it impossible for such a small club to operate in a financially secure manner. The club approached Field & Game Australia to become affiliated and as a consequence the Mornington Branch of Field & Game was created in 2000.
Over the years the Branch membership has grown to over 300. However, one aspect of the Branch has been strictly retained from the days of its origins and that is that it will always only shoot for fun and practice.
It is believed that this is a unique aspect of our Branch. All other clay target shooting organisations and clubs, whether it is other Branches of the FGA or the ACTA all shoot competitively. This aspect of our Branch makes us particularly attractive to people who want to get into clay target shooting but are not able or willing to go straight into competition.
Many of our visitors come for this reason and later become members. It is also what makes the Branch attractive to those members who just like a shot and want to improve their skill for field shooting. They are members of our Branch simply because they do not want to shoot competitively.
Another aspect of our Branch is that we are very family oriented. Families, often comprising three generations, come to have a shot as a family group. We hold three social events during the year. The Bill Rae Memorial Shoot in July (Bill was a foundation member of the original Westernport Gun Club), a get together & MEAL after our AGM in August and our Christmas celebration after our November shoot.
These events provide the opportunity for members and their families to get together in a friendly social atmosphere. Visitors are also welcome to join members at these events.
If you want join Mornington Field & Game Click Here and be sure to chose Mornington as your branch when promted.