Where do you live and what is your home range?

I live at Goulburn, NSW. I don’t have a home range but am a member of SSAA Sydney Branch.

When did you first start benchrest?

1973. I competed in the first NSW State Rimfire Benchrest Championship held at Silverdale Range in 1974, placing 3rd in the Grand Aggregate, and Smallest Group at 100 yds of .620 inches. That was it, I was hooked!
In 1982, I took a big break from competition raising kids, and running merino sheep in the Snowies. I came back into Rimfire Benchrest competition in 2000.

Who helped you in the early days?

Ann & Tom Brummell, Dave Billinghurst, Ron Marsden and my wife, Jan. We’re both very competitive so practicing together over the years that has helped lift our skills.

What was your first BR rifle?

Rimfire – Highly modified BRNO .22LR.
Centrefire - 40XBR in .222Rem.

What year did you qualify?

2024

Where do you shoot most?

SSAA Newcastle, SSAA Coffs Harbour and any Range holding National and State Competitions in Eastern Australia.

Which ranges do you like and dislike and why?

All Ranges have their quirks/challenges, that’s what keeps it interesting but Little River, Victoria, is probably the windiest I’ve competed on.
The highly baffled ranges overseas present a whole set of challenges not seen in Australia. Limited pre-event practice time requires you to really draw on your experience competing.

Which matches do you like most each year?

National and State Competitions - Group, Score, IRB, RBA and Fly all draw a diverse range of shooters, with different skill required to master the discipline.

Have you set any Australian Records?

Yes. Eight so far in both Group and Score. My first record was shot in 2003, my most recent was shot in June, 2022 for Rimfire Group at 50 m of .070 for a 5 shot group.

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

Yes.
2018 World Benchrest Shooting Federation Championship, Manresa, Spain.
8th in World Team Competition, 2018 Australian SSAA Shooting Team.
2018 Pacific Regional Shooting Championship, Nelson, New Zealand.
1 Gold, 3 Silver & 1 Bronze Medals, 2018 Australian SSAA Shooting Team.
2016 Pacific Regional Shooting Championship, Majura, ACT, Australia.
Bronze Medal – Individual Championship.
2015 World Rimfire and Air Rifle Benchrest Federation World Championships, Brisbane.
Gold Medal - Team Rimfire International Sporter World Champions.
2015 World Rimfire and Air Rifle Benchrest Federation World Championships, Brisbane
5th in the World Rimfire 3 Gun - International Sporter, Light & Heavy Varmint Events.
2012 World Rimfire and Air Rifle Benchrest Federation World Championships, Sydney.
Gold Medal - Individual World Champion.
2012 World Rimfire and Air Rifle Benchrest Federation World Championships, Sydney.
Gold Medal - Team World Champion.
2012 Pacific Regional Shooting Championship, Tokoroa, New Zealand.
Bronze Medal Pacific Regional Individual Championship.
2012 Pacific Regional Shooting Championship, Tokoroa, New Zealand.
Silver Medal Pacific Regional Team Championship
2012 World Benchrest Shooting Federation Regional Championship, Brisbane, Australia.
Gold Medal – Individual Regional Champion.
2012 World Benchrest Shooting Federation Regional Championship, Brisbane, Australia.
Gold Medal - Highest Single Score Champion 250.19x/250.25x (Range Record).
2012 World Benchrest Shooting Federation Regional Championship, Brisbane, Australia.
Silver Medal - Team Regional Championship.

What is your current equipment?

Various Custom Rimfire BR Rifles, most on RTM alloy stocks.

What is your philosophy for benchrest?

Learn to manage your emotions – keep it light. Assess emerging trends critically – change for the sake of change is not necessarily the right path to take. Play the long game – every point counts.
What advice would you give to new shooters?

Make sure you’ve got a contingency plan for rehab – rimfire shooting can be a frustrating game. Learn to read the wind – you must practice in all conditions, not always on the same bench on the same range. In a match, the wind is your friend. A lot of opinions are bandied about, learn from those who are achieving. Enjoy your winning patch, be it at Club, State or National level, it can be fleeting. Others are always out there trying too.