Where do you live and what is your home range?

South Coast of NSW after a sea change in 1990. Regard Canberra as home range.

When did you first start benchrest?

Joined SSAA in 1969. Tom introduced me to benchrest in 1970. First success at Newcastle in 1971 followed by placing in NSW LV that same year. First National 1972 in Canberra - auspicious FTQ Sporter and LV, 6th HV.

Who helped you in the early days?

Harry Luhr, Ron Marsden and of course Tom

What was your first BR rifle?

Sporter - factory 788 Remington in .222. First custom rifle a LV in .222mag, Sako action, Mersch laminated wood thumbhole stock, Douglas barrel chambered by Bill Marden Snr.

When did you get your first HOF point?

At first 10 target National in Adelaide 1973 won HV100 using .222 Sleeved Remington, McMillan barrel, 20X Unertl scope, stocked (wood) and chambered by PSECo (then Nev Madden).

What year did you qualify?

1981 Nationals in Canberra won LV 100 agg to be sole female in HOF for 21 years until Annie Elliott's entry in 2002 as #22. Rifle used 6X47 Sleeved 40X Remington,
McMillan stock and barrel smithed by Nev Madden as PSECo.

Where do you shoot most?

Tuning and fiddling on a one bench range in a paddock with the cows and in Canberra usually at the regular monthly events..

Which ranges do you like and dislike and why?

All have their own idioyncrasies and challenges- suffice to say those I don't like my attendances are limited.

Portland when they ran registered matches as despite the icy winds from Antarctica and horizontal rain they ran a good shoot in a proficient manner and the social afters were great. Coffs Harbour can present land gales and torrential rain but when it is good it is very good with value for effort plus their administration and crew are excellent and obliging.
Silverdale is also up there mainly because that is where it all started for me but it has changed much since the 1970s. Facility wise for the better but for readability the layout, obstacles and man made topography contibute to group wrecking. Having said that my best agg in a registered match was there in 2004 - .1874 LV 100.

Overseas - Hart range, later owned by Lou Palmisano (since Lou's demise believe still in family ownership) when I shot there was rural, wooded, natural springs and wild white tail deer on the fringes, however believe it has changed
Kelbly's because of the facilities, enormity of bench line loading room and professionalism

Which matches do you like most each year?

NSW State titles as have experienced a great deal of luck in these events over the years, particularly in Experimental as in a 10 year period have won 5 times and placed 4 times. Banana Coast events for the relaxed nature and the uncertainty of the conditions one may encounter.
Australia Day in Canberra - was at the first event in 1980. In 2019 attended but did not shoot on medical advice so served as Range Officer for the events.

Have you shot overseas, when, where, how did you go?

This section is a multi faceted area for me.
1. In 1970s international Benchrest scene was confined to postal matches. In 1979 Australian team of 5 in Experimental beat all other countries contesting and that included USA and Canada and I was part of that team.

2. First shoulder to shoulder with overseas competitors was in 1975 when a group of USA and Canadians came to Canberra to shoot with us. Won HV 100 and 2nd in 2 Gun Grand behind the legendary Ed Shilen.

3. Travelled to the USA in 1980 (with Tom and Ron Marsden), 1984 (with Tom, Jean and Denis Tobler) and in 1989 (just Tom and I) competing in various State titles, Nationals and Super Shoots. Over the time recorded a 6th in Californian State (Visalia), 4th Pennsylvania State (Harts) and in New Jersey State (Englishtown) won HV and 2nd in 2 Gun in what was believed to be the first for an Australian.

4. In 1980 lectured and coached at IBS B/R School #2 at Wapwallopen USA. Had hoped to develop the concept here but shades of insularity and parochialism put paid to the idea maybe the idea was just a bit ahead of its time.

5. During the various trips overseas, not for shooting but family connections, had discussions with various parties and organisations with a view to shoulder to shoulder competition, the response was encouraging however only tacit interest but the barriers came down. The WBC was born and is now an integral and accepted event among WBSF affiliates. In the lead up to the 1997 WBC in Phoenix was honoured to be named as one of 7 Australians who had made "invaluable contributions to establishing international shoulder to shoulder competition" something little known or recognised in Australia.

6. Was a member of the 2011 WBC11 team in France, the only female in a team of 12 - proves Benchrest is not gender specific. My fellow team members were John Babic, John Brook and Peter C Armstrong and in the 2 Gun Team event we were placed 11th from a total of 36 teams.

7. 2013 WBC12 in Sydney was part of the Committee of Management from day1 but after administration changes in the hosting committee 12 weeks out from the start of the events was co-opted into the role of Joint Tournament Director attending to all the administrative duties, needs and functions for competitors from 16 countries covering 80+ competitors and their travelling partners.

8. In 2016 was Range Officer for the IRB events in the PRSC tournament on the JMK Range Canberra.

What is your current equipment?

Stolle Panda, Kelbly stock finished by Alex Chryss, barrels for this action all chambered in 6 PPC are Tobler, Turbo, Maddco and Krieger topped with either 36X Leupold worked over by Cecil Tucker, 36X Weaver, 40X March and/or 36-55XP March. Chambering done by Tom until 2011 when health issues intervened and since then Steve Sori using our reamers.

What is your philosophy for benchrest?

There is always a learning curve and when the allure of small groups or centrals diminishes or you think you know it all it is time to give the game away. If things go bad don't brood tomorrow is another day and try not to repeat the mistake. It is just a sport and no gold ingots so enjoy.
No matter how much or how hard you practice you always need that little pat from lady luck but preparation is paramount.

What advice would you give to new shooters?

Buy the best equipment you can afford as you are better off with 1 good rifle than a cupboard full of mediocre ones that in $ terms represent parity. Do not sidestep the used market. Seek out shooters with a proven track record as they are usually willing to impart knowledge and this can be the proverbial pot of gold to newbies.

Sadly, Ann Passed away 2nd February 2025.