Whanganui's Westmere Miniature Rifle Club honours two new life members

Malcolm Lamb (left) and Sid McAuliffe in front of the target boards they built at Westmere. Photo / Mike Tweed

Malcolm Lamb and Sid McAuliffe have joined only a handful of others as life members of the Westmere Miniature Rifle Club.

Lamb is the club's captain, while McAuliffe recently stepped down as president.

McAuliffe joined the club in 2000, but started shooting locally in Upokongaro in 1966.

"Unfortunately, Upok had to close because we had run out of members," McAuliffe said.

"We shut down in 1999. We probably should have closed a year earlier but we were determined to get to our 75th anniversary.

"When I walked into Westmere on my first night they were sitting down for their AGM and they asked if I wanted to be president.

"I said yes, and I held that position for 21 years."

For Lamb, his introduction to Westmere came about through his son.

"He wanted to do target shooting around 1992, so we came along and were welcomed with open arms," Lamb said.

"My son's last year was 1999, and he joined the army in 2000.

"Dad's carried on, he's still here."

The Westmere club was founded in 1936, using a range attached to the Westmere Public Hall.

The hall was destroyed in a fire in 1977 and the club built a new range, this time attached to the Westmere Scout Hall adjacent to the water reservoir on Great North Rd.

McAuliffe, 77, said every shooter experienced ups and downs in terms of form, and outside factors usually played a part.

"I think my best shooting came just after I retired, because there was no work stress.

"There were some very good years.

"As far as shooting now goes, I've declined rather rapidly unfortunately. The gun gets harder to hold as you get older and your eyes start deteriorating as well.

"I'm still the oldest shooter in the Whanganui district though."

Smallbore shooters use .22 calibre single shot target rifles, firing .22 rimfire ammunition at paper or cardboard targets.

Lamb said aside from the shooting itself, coming out to the club and seeing friends was a key factor in his longevity at Westmere.

There were only three adult members at the club when McAuliffe arrived, but that number has grown substantially over the past 20 years.

Lamb and McAuliffe keep a close eye on Jayden Davis (left) and Kane Palmer during a Wednesday night shooting session. Photo / Mike Tweed

"I just love it here, because there's such a variety of people," Lamb said.

"I was a prison officer for 20 years, which was a bit of a negative environment, but then I could come out here and talk to the likes of Sid and John [Goodare], who is our new president.

"We have everybody here - undertakers, librarians, builders, lawyers, the lot.

"The great thing about shooting is that it's age and gender neutral. It doesn't matter where you come from, you can come along for an evening and give it a go."

McAuliffe said he and Lamb had coached at the club for many years, and both would continue to do so into the future.

"After learning the techniques and the correct position to get into, the number one things are concentration and staying relaxed," McAuliffe said.

"Take nice deep breaths and try to slow everything down."

Safety remained paramount at the Westmere club, and every shooter that came to the club, regardless of experience, was given a safety debrief before they stepped on the mound, McAuliffe said.

"It's a very safe sport. The only accidents we've had are people not watching where they are going and tripping down the stairs.

"We are very precise with what you do, and what you do with your rifle."

Members of the public are welcome to attend open sessions every Wednesday from 7pm, and McAuliffe and Lamb will usually be there to give beginners a helping hand.

The Westmere Miniature Rifle Club can be found at 226 Great North Rd, Westmere.

For more information, go to https://www.tsw.net.nz/