Phoenix Target Rifle Club

Phoenix Target Rifle Club The club conducts long range target shooting most Saturday afternoons at ranges from 300m to 900m.

Well the SARA Hunt and King Series is now complete! Phoenix was well represented every day both on the shooting mounds a...
28/09/2026

Well the SARA Hunt and King Series is now complete!

Phoenix was well represented every day both on the shooting mounds and the podiums at the end of each day!

Congratulations to all shooters that participated for either the full 5 days or for the SARA 2026 series.


A big thank you to Mitch Bialkowski for his consistent support and spending the 5 days down in the Butts ensuring all is running smoothly or troubleshooting when there were issues. Greatly appreciated.


We also celebrated the life of James (Jim) Close Saturday morning with his last shot taken place. Thankyou to all involved and as mentioned, was great to see the support from Phoenix Target R***e members who attended the morning to pay their respects to a great man!


For the full wrap up stage by stage, daily aggregates, lead up aggregate, Kings aggregate, and the grand aggregate follow the link below:

https://www.results.nraa.com.au/sara-2026-kings-series-results/

You will see some fantastic results from Phoenix Target R***e members across most disciplines. A quick summary though!


SARA 2026 Grand Aggregate:
Cameron Whant – F Open grand champion (1st)
Darryl Pink – F Standard (3rd)
Chris Payne - Sporter Production Open (2nd)


SARA 2026 Kings Aggregate:
Cameron Whant – F Open (1st)
Lorretta Davies – Sporter Production Open (2nd)
Chris Payne – Sporter Production Open (3rd)


SARA 2026 Hunt Aggregate:
Cameron Whant – F Open (1st)
Chris Payne - Sporter Production Open (1st)


SARA 2026 Top Woman Shooter:
Lorretta Davies


Most members received a medal at some point over the 5 days with range wins or range placings and daily aggregate wins or places.

Special mention must go out to Michael Hallion though – throughout the 5 days he was very consistent and maintained 7th place across the SARA 2026 Hunt, SARA 2026 King Series aggregate, and the SARA 2026 Grand Aggregate!

Great result being his first official competition.

Great shooting by all and well done! Now it is time to rest up and recover ready to come out for the last 1230 start for this year this Saturday 3rd October. It is scheduled as an 800m club shoot.

Day two of the SARA Kings was completed today.The day started with the last shot for James (Jim) Close being conducted a...
26/09/2026

Day two of the SARA Kings was completed today.

The day started with the last shot for James (Jim) Close being conducted at 830am, we welcomed Jim’s family to the range and a speech was conducted by Emma, club captain, on behalf of Phoenix Target R***e Club.

This was followed by Jim’s last shot being fired by Reg Cunningham, with a minute silence and final words.

RIP Jim Close

Yesterday was a 700m club shoot that followed the DRA working bee for the range in preparation for the SARA Lead up and ...
20/09/2026

Yesterday was a 700m club shoot that followed the DRA working bee for the range in preparation for the SARA Lead up and Kings Events that are being held from the 23rd to 27th September.

Thank you to all those members that came out to assist with the clean up! It was great to see so many of you come out.

Thank you to No1 DRA for putting on a sausage sizzle lunch for those in attendance for a quick bite to eat prior to the afternoon shoot.

Most of the morning helpers stayed on to shoot, and we ended up with twenty-one shooters participating in the 700m club shoot.


Out on the range, the sun was shining bright to remind us all that summer is not far away, whilst the wind and mirage was strong.

There were two double possibles shot on the day:
Chris Payne with 100.13
Nathan Mann with 100.12

There were a few possibles shot on the day as well:
Darryl Pink with 60.2
Kevin Kucia with 50.2 – First possible. Well done and hope many more!
Michael Hallion with 50.7
Dillan Tull with 50.5

Well done to all shooters, great shooting!

The scores can be found through Hexta for your plots:
https://shooting.hexsystems.com.au/club/26

The scores per discipline as follows:

FSTD
Darryl Pink with 118.6
Philip Vodden with 114.6
Joel Lower with 114.5
Charlotte Smallman with 113.4
Mitch Bialkowski with 112.2 – with his first PIN for F STD – Well done Mitch!

F Open
Bill Traeger with 117.5
Leanne Dunn with 116.12
Trevor Haythorpe with 114.10

FTR
Jim Clayton with 117.11
Emma Clayton with 116.6
Robert Bayly with 110.3

Sporter PC
Matthew Lines with 96.7
Kevin Kucia with 94.3
Joel Marsh with 93.9
Claedon Hogarth with 93.7
Gary Doubleday with 83.2

Sporter PCO
Chris Payne with 100.13
Nathan Mann with 100.12
Michael Hallion with 99.11
Lorretta Davies with 98.6
Dillan Tull with 98.6


REMINDER: NO club shoot 26th September. The SARA lead up and Kings event is being held at Lower Light Range from Wednesday 23rd to Sunday 27th September.

James (Jim) Close Last Shot will be conducted on Saturday 26th September, as previously advised for all that wish to attend. This will be first thing Saturday at approximately 0830hrs. All are welcome to come and pay your respects to him.

Good luck to all members that are participating in the SARAevents. Good luck, straight shooting, and most of all enjoy the time!

If you are not competing in the events, take the opportunity to come on out and watch your fellow sportsmen and women.

It is a fantastic opportunity to watch and see how others in your disciplines shoot, an opportunity to chat to others from a variety of clubs across Australia, and to just enjoy the atmosphere!

18/09/2026

We wish to provide an important update regarding the arrangements for honouring Jim Close.

Jim has not yet taken his last shot. This will take place on Day 2 of the Kings Event at Lower Light R***e Range, on Saturday 26th September at approximately 8:30am, just prior to the commencement of shooting.

This moment will be conducted with respect, dignity, and in the presence of fellow shooters who knew Jim well.

Any members, friends, and family of Jim Close who wish to be present for this tribute are warmly welcome to attend.

Jim was a valued member of Phoenix Target R***e Club, and this final shot will serve as a fitting tribute to his long involvement in our sport and community.

Warmest Regards
Phoenix Target R***e Club

Last night the Phoenix Target R***e Club Annual Presentation dinner at St Kilda Hotel was conducted. There were great vi...
13/09/2026

Last night the Phoenix Target R***e Club Annual Presentation dinner at St Kilda Hotel was conducted.

There were great views over St Kilda hotel balcony as the sunset and preparations were finalised.

We had a smaller number of attendees than previous years, but it appeared as all had a good night with good conversations and a few drinks had by all.

The awards were presented by the Captain, Emma Clayton, and current Secretary, Leanne Dunn, with a few special awards presented by Spectrum Gunstocks, Bill Traeger.

All in attendance had a nice meal and then the presentation began with the following:

· A toast to our long time Phoenix Target R***e Club life member Jim Close who passed away earlier this year. RIP Jim Close.

· Off R***e Club Champions for each discipline
· Handicap Wins
· Off R***e Wins
· Sighter Wins
· Most Improved
· Best Shot at 300m
· Possibles shot in the year
· Double Possibles shot in the year
· C**k of the Walk
· Most “3” s fired in the year (Magpie award)
· Most “4” s fired in the year.

· Spectrum Gunstocks Missed by that Much (most fifty-nines shot in the year) F class discipline.
· Spectrum Gunstocks Over 70s Master Challenge (highest total off r***e score for the year)
· Special Acknowledgement from Spectrum Gunstocks

Unofficial awards

· Trainee of the year (member that has shown the most development of their skills over the past year)
· Sh*t Stirrer of the year (member who always has a ‘smart’ comment to say at the best of times)

Photos have the description below as there were many people called up to accept.

Unfortunately, there were a few that were not able to make the dinner, but their awards will be presented to them when they attend the range next.

Yesterday was a 600m Adelaide Plains shoot with an early start of 10am so we could all get organised for the annual pres...
13/09/2026

Yesterday was a 600m Adelaide Plains shoot with an early start of 10am so we could all get organised for the annual presentation dinner later that evening.

We had a good turn out of members and welcomed a few visitors to the club as well. It was good meeting Claedon and his family, great shooting by Claedon as well.

It was also good meeting Matt and others.
Hopefully, we see them back soon.

We had twenty shooters out on the range where the sun was shining, and wind was being kind to most.

The scores can be found through Hexta for your plots:

https://shooting.hexsystems.com.au/club/26

There were no double possibles but there were a few possibles shot on the day:

Jim Clayton with 60.5
Chris Payne with 50.5
Emma Clayton with 60.9
Trevor Haythorpe with 60.4

Well done to all shooters, great shooting!

The scores per discipline as follows:

FSTD
Tristan Howell with 114.5
Dillan Tull with 112.11
Darryl Pink with 111.3
Philip Vodden with 106.4
Tony Robinson with 104.4

Mitch Bialkowski with 103.1
Charlotte Smallman with 101.4

F Open
Emma Clayton with 118.12
Trevor Haythorpe with 118.8
Jim Clayton with 118.8
Leanne Dunn with 113.7
Denis Barnard with 104.4

FTR
Robert Bayly with 86.1

Sporter PC
Claedon Hogarth with 87.3 (visitor)

PCO
Chris Payne with 99.10
Nathan Mann with 98.9
Lorretta Davies with 96.11
Michael Hallion with 96.6
Kevin Kucia with 89.3
Gary Doubleday with 80.3

REMINDER: Saturday 19th September Working Bee at Lower Light from 830am for all members to advise if they can assist.

Next Week: 700m club shoot at the regular time of 1230 start.

Look forward to seeing you all at the range and as many of you as possible at the working bee.

Today was a 500m Club shoot with fewer members than past weeks! Weather was not looking good when looking at predication...
05/09/2026

Today was a 500m Club shoot with fewer members than past weeks! Weather was not looking good when looking at predications, but it was not raining at Lower Light when we all arrived – just windy as hell!

Wind speeds at 35kmh or more at times but it was pretty consistent throughout the afternoon.

We had thirteen shooters out on the range braving the cold and ice-cold winds.

The scores can be found through Hexta for your plots:
https://shooting.hexsystems.com.au/club/26

We recommenced the random allocation of shooters to targets prior to commencing the range to mix it up a little and get people moving around the three targets we have in our club. This meant shooters checked the scorecards once out at the range and noted where they were allocated and in what order.


There was one double possible being shot on the day.

Nathan Mann with 100.12

Well done!


There were also a few possibles shot on the day.

Lorretta Davies with 50.6 with one PIN
Jamie Clayton with 60.6 with two PINs
Mark Tyler with 60.8
Emma Clayton with 60.6

Well done to all shooters, great shooting!


The scores per discipline as follows:

TR
Bob Bradshaw with 91.4

FSTD
Dillan Tull with 117.11
Philip Vodden with 111.2
Charlotte Smallman with 103.3 (using a 223 in the weather!)
Mitch Bialkowski with 98.1

F Open
Mark Tyler with 119.14
Jim Clayton with 119.13
Denis Barnard with 115.5

FTR
Emma Clayton with 119.8
Robert Bayly with 99.2

PCO
Nathan Mann with 100.12
Lorretta Davies with 99.10
Michael Hallion with 95.4

Next Week: 600m Adelaide Plains at the regular time of 1230 start. We have no duties but anyone that can assist with the setting up of targets, computers, scorecards, trailer, bench etc. would be appreciated. The sooner we finish our shoot the sooner all Phoenix shooters can have a quick wrap up back in the club rooms and then head home to get organised for our annual presentation dinner at St Kilda Hotel starting at 6pm!

Look forward to seeing you all at the range and as many of you at the presentation dinner! Always a great night.

On Saturday 29th August No1 DRA Adelaide Plains had their annual award presentations for the DRA Adelaide Plains champio...
01/09/2026

On Saturday 29th August No1 DRA Adelaide Plains had their annual award presentations for the DRA Adelaide Plains champions, Champions of Club Champions (CoCC), and the North V West Teams competition winners and place getters.

We were delighted to have a strong representation from Phoenix Target R***e Club members at these events throughout the year but also on the winner and placegetter "podiums"

A big congratulations goes to the following Phoenix Target R***e Club members for their achievements:

Champion of Club Champions winners:
FSTD - Dillan Tull
FOPEN - Jim Clayton

Great shooting by Emma Clayton, Nathan Mann, and Dan Nesbitt in their respective disciplines on the day as well.

No 1-Adelaide Plains-District R***e Association Inc. 25-26 season:

FSTD A:
2nd place - Dillan Tull
3rd Place - Darryl Pink

FSTD B:
2nd Place - Philip Vodden
3rd Place - Joel Lower

FOPEN:
3rd Place - Cameron Whant

FTR:
1st Place - Emma Clayton
2nd Place - Robert Bayly

Sporter Class Open:
1st Place - Jim Clayton
2nd Place - Joel Lower
3rd Place - Emma Clayton

Team North participants congratulate Team West on their win of the North v West teams match for 25-26 for both overall and handicap awards.

Photos of all presentation of awards will be in a post by DRA however I have added some photos of the Phoenix members in attendance as well as the Phoenix Target R***e Club winners and placegetters getting their awards below.

Saturday was a 700m Adelaide Plains shoot at 10am so that No1 DRA Adelaide Plains could do the annual award presentation...
31/08/2026

Saturday was a 700m Adelaide Plains shoot at 10am so that No1 DRA Adelaide Plains could do the annual award presentations and a BBQ.

It was great to see a big turnout from the participating clubs of No1 DRA Adelaide Plains and especially Phoenix Target R***e Club Members who came to support their fellow members at the BBQ lunch and award presentations following the shoot.

A separate post will be created for the awards presentation.

We had 20 shooters out on the range with 19 completing their two rounds to add to their tally for Adelaide Plains 26/27.

The scores can be found through Hexta for your plots as they have been approved by our scorer. Thank you, Mark.

https://shooting.hexsystems.com.au/club/26

It was great day for shooting with the sun out and the wind actually playing nice most of the time! The mirage was strong and quite visible as well.

It was the day for it with not one but four double possibles being shot on the day. Two of these were by members that have been able to crack the envious double possible goal for the first time!

Great work to:
Chris Payne with his first double possible scoring 100.14
Greg Collas with his first double possible scoring 120.10
Jim Clayton also got a double possible with 100.13
Nathan Mann was also showing his skills with another double possible scoring 100.18

Well done to all, especially Chris and Greg, great shooting!

There were also a few possibles shot on the day.

Leanne Dunn with 60.8
Trevor Haythorpe with 60.8
Emma Clayton with 60.6
Philip Vodden Vodden with 60.5
Bill Traeger with 60.4
Lucy Goldsmith with 60.3
Lorretta Davies with 50.8

Well done to all shooters, great shooting!

The scores per discipline as follows:

FSTD
Dillan Tull with 114.5
Charlotte Smallman with 113.6
Joel Lower with 111.3
Anthony Robinson with 109.2
Mitch Bialkowski with 98.3

F Open
Trevor Haythorpe with 119.14
Leanne Dunn with 118.12
Phillip Vodden with 118.11
Lucy Goldsmith with 118.5
Nicholas Richardson with 115.7
Bill Traeger with 114.4

FTR
Greg Collas with 120.10
Emma Clayton with 119.12
Bob Bayly with 100.1

PCO
Nathan Mann with 100.18
Chris Payne with 100.14
Jamie Clayton with 100.13
Lorretta Davies with 99.15
Michael Hallion with 97.9

Next Week: 500m club shoot at the regular time of 1230 start.

28/08/2026

Just a reminder to all - shooting starts at 10am tomorrow, so please arrive around 9am to help get targets up.

Following around 1230 will be BBQ compliments of DRA1, with CoCC presentations to follow.

Please support our Club Members receiving awards!!!

Address

633 Light Beach Road
Lower Light, SA
5501

Telephone

+61417352203

Website

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