Living Legends of Archery

Over time all Associations and organisations identify people who through their exploits and their presence become legends. The awards were first instituted by Terry Sheather and presented at the infamous Pub with No Beer shoot at Taylors Arm about 30kms south west of Macksville in NSW.

The object was to recognise people who had, a continuous association with archery for many years, and not just in shooting but being involved in all aspects of the game. They were people that if you were talking to an archer and mentioned their names, people would say "yes I've heard of them".

In 2002 the Committee took over the award and presented one to Terry. The Association now has 4 awardees.

The following profiles were compiled in 2006 so the information may be a little out of date but thankfully the characters remain the same.

Awarded Living Legend Status in 1997

CLUB - Cessnock Archers


YEARS SHOOTING - 45 years


FIRST BOW - 50lb Ben Pearson Fibreglass recurve


CURRENT BOW - Hoyt Ultra-Tec


ARROWS - Arrow Dynamics


OTHER EQUIPMENT -Toxonics sight, Bulls Eye scope, Scott Mongoose release aid, Easton X10 stabilizer.


HOW DID YOU BEGIN ARCHERY - A lady started an archery club at Abermain and she asked if I would like to try, I was hooked from the word go.

MEMORIES -

  • In 1984 Cessnock Archers hosting the NSW State Titles with over 450 shooters.
  • Witnessing the first ever perfect 400 shot in ABA at Cessnock.
  • Having well over 150 members in the Cessnock club. Going to practice on Tuesdays and would be lucky to get a car park.
  • Getting to travel to so many different places and meet some many different people.
  • In 1998 winning both the ABA Nationals and the ABA 3D nationals shooting the 1st and only perfect 400 3D round, winning both the raffles and what every else was on offer, what a weekend.
  • There are literally hundreds of memories I have of the past 45 years but by far the best is being honoured by my peers to receive the first ever Living Legends of Archery award.

I have far too many stories to tell.

Awarded Living Legend Status in 1998

NICKNAME - Bear


YEARS SHOOTING - 46 years (32 competition)


FIRST BOW - Pearson archery set (20lb fibreglass). First bow shot in competition - 70lb Bear recurve


CURRENT BOW - Matthews Apex 50-60lb @ 30inch draw


ARROWS - CXL 150s


OTHER EQUIPMENT - Carter Jus-Be-Cuz release, Cobra Lynx pin sights


HOW DID YOU BEGIN ARCHERY - shooting rabbits with bows made from hickory bush on the family farm; arrows were made from stinking roger (a straight woody plant with pith centre); points were made from heavy gauge fencing wire; and fletches plucked from grandma’s chooks.

ACHIEVEMENTS 

  • 1977 (won first ABA Nationals); won 1980 ABA Nationals;  (from 79 through early 80s, won Queensland State titles, South Queensland championships, Overall Points Scores, Jim Stevens Memorial trophy and Zone titles.


  • 1990 World IFAA Championships (bronze medal); 1994 World Masters won Silver medal in field and bronze medal in target.
    2005 Shooter of the Year RU; 7th place RU at World IBO Championships.


MEMORIES

  • The characters of archery… we are a special breed. Who could forget the Bundy boys from the early days of ABA, Peter Macey, and the likes of Bob Doring. Hunting with Alan Podlich, Geoff Thompson and Richard Lowe. And that first meeting with mates Mike Parker, Dale Dodds and Russ Roberts at the Nationals in Orange some two decades ago.


  • Going to the USA last year for the IBO championships was undoubtedly one of the highlights of my archery life.

Awarded Living Legend Status in 1999

CLUB - RENEGADE BOWMEN (Ipswich)

YEARS SHOOTING - 30

FIRST BOW - Damon Howatt Chinook 55# Recurve

CURRENT BOW
Tournament bow - 53# locally made Bushranger Longbow

Hunting bow -Hoyt Powertec 50#

ARROWS
Tournament - Cedar 

Hunting - Easton Excel Carbon 400

OTHER EQUIPMENT - Tournament- Kant pinch Fingertab

Hunting - TRU Ball Tornado Release Aid, Hoyt Dura-Lite Quiver, HOYT/NAP3000 Tec Rest, Hoyt Vectrix Plus Pin Sight

HOW DID YOU BEGIN ARCHERY - I was introduced to the sport by an old mate of mine, Jeff Hill in December of 1976.

There are not many photos of Darryl around. If you have one and wouldn't mind sharing please email it to me.

ACHIEVEMENTS

I have been privileged enough to have won the ABA Nationals, the IFAA Nationals and 3DAAA nationals on a number of occasions. I was also honoured to receive the 3DAAA Legend of Archery Award.

MEMORIES

  • My list of memories that I have of the sport of archery continues to grow.  Our sport gives us a wonderful opportunity to meet many different people from many different places, who all have the same passion.


  • My favourite memories include seeing a mate of mine Ken Sommers from Victoria, (who like myself was a guest on a hunting trip with Nev “Frosty” Westerveld of Cairns) return to camp with a jaw which when pulled measured around 32 pts.


  • Another memory which will always be etched in my mind was the 2005 3DAAA Presentation Dinner at Nambucca Heads, when I was privileged to present the “Steven Reeks Medal” to Istvan Wolfe, this was as good as it gets.

Awarded Living Legend Status in 2003

YEARS SHOOTING - 28


FIRST BOW - Hoyt Recurve 45lbs


CURRENT BOW  - Mathews LX 60ln 28”


ARROWS -     Carbon Express CXL150


OTHER EQUIPMENT  -  Vibracheck stabilizer, Toxonics Gearhead sight, Super scope, Scott mongoose release aid, Mathews Arrowrest


HOW DID YOU BEGIN ARCHERY - Two friends, Peter Blackford & Max Tout had just begun shooting with a local sports store run events. They asked me to have a go which I did and the rest is history. We started a local club Nambucca Valley Bowman which was an AA club until 1982 when it changed to ABA. Was a member of ABA until 1996 when I helped develop 3DAAA.

ACHIEVEMENTS
My greatest achievements are not of the shooting type but of the administration of Archery.

  • Zone E ABA controller for 4 years before moving onto ABA national committee.
  • Team manager in 1988 for the World IFAA titles in the USA.
  • Organised the 1990 World and Australian titles at Valla Park.
  • Helped start 3DAAA .

MEMORIES

  • Spending time with my Family and all my friends I have gained over the years.
  • All the help given to me throughout my years of  organisation of archery endeavours.
  • Watching the kids of archery grow and develop into nice decent people who then put back into archery in later life.

There is just too many memories to list.