So you can understand the frustration for members that, with the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, they have no idea what the target date is for their next social shoot – let alone competition.
Initially put out of action during the first COVID-19 shutdown, the small gap between restrictions easing and the stage three and four lockdowns saw the club grab its rare opportunity to hold a shoot.
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Held in July it still wasn’t your routine gathering as everyone was following COVID-safety procedures; but president Peter Murphy said it was still a big success and a well-received and much-needed get-together for members.
“I think people are itching to get back their social life; and shooting for a lot of our members is a huge part of that,” Murphy said.
“July was a great day – we had 46 shooters who went around in small groups. It was very controlled but very successful.”
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These rigorous precautions could be the new normal when the club exits its hibernation – with rules including pre-registration, pre-payment, pre-scheduled start times and, of course, hand sanitiser.
“We did all the COVID-19 safety requirements. But it was difficult and a lot of hard work to get a shoot up and running,” Murphy said.
But despite the challenges, Murphy remains hopeful of hosting at least one more shoot before the end of the year.
“We hold meets on the first weekend of the month, so if restrictions ease in mid-September, we could get something up for November or December,” he said.
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In the meantime, the club has turned its attention to its environmental commitments.
“With no shooting, we are doing a lot of environmental work around the grounds, and the cleaning up of trails and walking tracks,” Murphy explained.
And everyone at the club has also spent a lot of time looking into various avenues to help stay afloat.
“We have gone for different government grants,” he said.
“And just speaking to local members, we want to make sure we are not forgotten about.”
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Murphy also thanked his committee for its hard work around the club throughout restrictions.
“There are a lot of unsung heroes who put their hands up to keep things going,” he said.
So, when the time comes for the club’s comeback, the president has just one message: “We want our members to know we’re here, ready to go, when restrictions do ease”.
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