Mornington Pensula Bowmen
February 28 - March 1
Earlier this year Victorian communities bravely battled devastating bushfires. Across the state there were stories of courage and heartbreak and amid it all, with the smell of smoke in the air, Mornington Peninsula Bowmen decided to go ahead & hold their sanctioned shoot. But in a gesture typical of the generosity of the archery community, they made the decision to donate the profits from the annual shoot to the Bushfire Appeal, prompting support from the Association, clubs & individuals as well as Victorian local businesses.
Following is Cordell McGuire’s summation of the shoot itself.
Friday saw us finalise the setups and get things organised for the event, at the same time monitor a fire that had broken out close by (Arthurs Seat) that had closed off the highway; this passed and the Ok to continue was agreed.
First of the campers rolled up soon after lunch time and the camp sites were going up making the area come alive with the competitors tents going up and the sound of arrows hitting the practice butts.
The ranges were set through tee tree and gums, with shots that we out on open areas with ocean winds blowing, to concealed dark shots in-between trees and shrubs with others from a stand 4 to 5 metres off the ground.
The Top Ten was a challenge as we worked on an elimination round. Each archer had to shoot more than 3 arrows to finally knock one another out of the event, and this took its toll on some of the new archers that had not been in a Top Ten before. Nerves were put to the test as was patience and careful arrow placement. Leading down to the winner, Dean Hawkey MBR with a nicely placed shot in the final round.
Sunday saw the courses relayed and once again some great weather that came our way.
While the scores came in, and close counts by all, Dave Shannon shot a perfect round on the second course of the day. The rest of the focus now went on the raffles lunch and recounting the two day’s events, the hits the misses and the anticipation of the next shoot.
At the end of the weekend the shoot had raised a massive $ 2,503.70 PROFIT
Thank you for everyone for their generosity and most importantly for having a good time.
Thank you to our Local archery dealers and sponsors
Rhinehart Targets ** Titian Scopes ** Urban Archery ** Aim Archery ** Diamond Valley Archers
There is a huge list of local Mornington Peninsula sponsors we also need to thank:
Auscon Concreting ** Kosovo Egg Farm ** Jamie Harrington Plumbing/ Helen McAughey ** Baldwin Motors ** Rye Hotel ** Rye Liquor Legends ** Rye Fish & Tackle ** ** Rye Disposals ** Rattway & Walker Home Hardware ** Rye Safeway
AND A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OUR MEMBERS WHO GENEROUSLY PUT THEIR HANDS INTO THEIR POCKETS TO KEEP OUR TOURNAMENT COSTS TO A BARE MINIMUM