Ann Brummell asked me to post this for her:

MAX COADY

Easter 2023 at the SSAA National Benchrest Championships, hosted by Coffs Harbour Max Coady oversaw target measuring for the last time as he has announced his retirement as SSAA National Scorer and handed the reins to Ian Thompson who scored at Coffs Harbour assisted by Rose Faber that gave Max the opportunity to actually shoot in a National Benchrest Championship. Almost seems surreal as Max has been a fixture for eons but nothing is infinite and his decision is to respected and his service applauded.

Max acknowledged as the scorer for the 1965 postal events, billed as the 1st Benchest Championships held on SSAA ranges. The chasm between his first and last sojourns is almost a life time in years but immense in targets presented for scoring – 1965 there were 1,500.

Max is doyen of scoring with an impeccable reputation in the Benchrest world that extends way beyond Australia. His international prowess came to the fore as early as 1970 for the 1st international postal matches between USA, Canada and Australia. As each country was unsure of the measuring experience in each organisation an agreement was reached that after home country scoring the targets journeyed to and fro across the Pacific for verification. Result no alteration to Max’s scores and the exchange requirement became redundant before the 1971 events.

Almost unheard of for anyone other than Max to be scorer at major events in Australia such as Nationals, Australia Day, Super shoots, NSW State titles and the like as shoot organisers had no hesitation having Max as first call when assembling the mandatory staff for a registered tournament. When potential National records presented for official measurement on the way to being verified he is the principal scorer in addition to the keeper of the registers for the group, aggregate and score. Max was the lead scorer when World Benchrest titles and Pacific Regionals were hosted by Queensland, ACT and NSW Associations and with his measuring machine in hand seconded by New Zealand Benchrest Association when the Kiwis hosted the same prestigious events. A mark on the wall day if he makes an error but if he does a wry grin accompanies the correction, all without a drama. He ensures others in the score room maintain the high standards of accuracy as he will purposely mark a target incorrectly to ensure those check scoring or recording are on the ball meeting his fastidious standards.

Any shooter who has attained a SSAA Silver, Gold, Ruby or Diamond award would have had the target/s measured, verified, recorded and medal posted to you by a Coady – firstly Max’s Dad affectionately known as Pop Coady with Max taking over and continuing the encouragement awards after Pop’s demise.

Max is a SSAA NSW Life Member, he and Pop share a unique SSAA Membership bond as both had SSAA National Life Membership bestowed upon them – only father and son combo in SSAA. A far cry from when Max first lodged an application for SSAA membership, the application was denied – nothing sinister, he was 14 years old and at that time there was no provision in SSAA for membership to anyone under 16 years, not discouraged he counted the days and reapplied successfully at 16.

His interest in shooting extended to rifle accuracy by experimenting with stocks, bedding, sleeves and the like but not content, not stopping there and always looking for the proverbial “better mouse trap” the scoring apparatus has had numerous Max inspired alterations and improvements over the years.

To dedicate so much time and effort to the interests of shoots and shooters Max has relinquished the chance to compete in order that others can have the opportunity to fulfill their ambitions, hopes and enjoyment; borders on martyrdom. Max does enjoy shooting and early days was a regular at Baulkham Hills and Silverdale ranges competing in rifle events as well as shot gun and was very component at that discipline. Wonderful of late that Max been participating in Fly events and short range benchrest as a competitor having a great time as well as finding time to play lawn bowls. Just to show how he extended himself he is a sparkie and in partnership with one of his brothers, Phil was running their electrical business.

As Max surrenders his various official SSAA hats, on his own terms, all who have encountered him directly or indirectly should be grateful, pay homage and record thanks for his considerable efforts and dedication.

THERE WILL ONLY EVER BE ONE MAX COADY