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Welcome to this edition of the SSAA NSW E-Shooter.

The stop press news for this edition is the announcement of our new CEO for SSAA NSW who we can now confirm is Andrew Macaulay.

Andrew is a lifelong shooter, having been introduced to the sport by his father and he is a member of SSAA NSW. Andrew has coached competitive rifle shooters, including his sons who are avid hunters. He is a keen hunter, harvesting game across Australia, as well as a firearms collector, and a regular pistol and occasional sporting clays shooter. Andrew’s wife is also a pistol shooter and hunter.

Andrew’s professional background in Australia and internationally covers Government relations, technology, and services businesses in primary industries, gaming, finance, print, and packaging.

Andrew is looking forward to engaging with SSAA NSW members and advancing our great sport.

As you can see Andrew ticks all the shooting boxes for SSAA NSW. He is licensed for long arms, pistols and collecting and shoots in all our main competition types, namely rifle, shotgun, and pistol. Andrew then rounds out his bona fides with his interest in hunting.

Andrew’s interest in shooting is both gratifying and important, but the most important role he will undertake for us is the role of CEO.

Governance, strong finances and strong relationships with government, regulators and the firearms industry are essential for the leading peak body for civilian ownership of firearms in NSW. Andrew is well qualified to provide the leadership required to protect our sport with skills in training and a strong respect for public safety, both of which underpin our commitment to the broader NSW community. Most importantly, engaging with our membership and continuing the strong membership communications is well suited to Andrew’s personality and skills.

I was particularly gratified by the quality of applicants for the position of CEO of SSAA NSW. The recruitment company shortlisted a large group of applicants that had the necessary skills to meet our requirements. The employment committee resolved to interview only 5 of the best of those applicants, and even then, we ended up with 6 applicants that we wished to interview.

Our brand, SSAA NSW, is respected and considered an influential company for high quality managers to aspire to work with. I wish to thank our Board for their commitment to develop and drive our high quality culture, and I thank our outgoing CEO Jai, for his huge contributions in getting us to this position which Andrew will now grow for a stronger SSAA NSW.

Andrew will start on the 22nd March and will get his induction at our Board meeting that weekend. A tough start, but Andrew is keen to jump in at the deep end.

Andrew and I will do a week of Branch committee zoom meetings ASAP to introduce Andrew to your Branch leaderships.

I wish to thank our employment committee, chaired by Rob Austin, and made up of Scott Wagner, Alison Worldon and myself. These directors are all in working life positions where they employ and manage staff and Rob has great skill in all matters HR and workplace health and safety and under his chairmanship the process was smooth and professional.

While I am thanking people, I would also like to thank our disciplinary committee and our review committee. December 2023 is the first time we have had a discipline matter under our new state CLG constitution, I believe it is also the first time the review committee (previously the appeals committee) have had cause to meet, which was in January this year.

The discipline committee is made up of SSAA NSW Board members, in this case chaired by Scott Wagner, while the review committee is made up of what I call our “wise and respected heads”. Both the Board and the Review committee are elected by the AGM. The difference is that the review committee is constitutionally empowered to override the Board discipline committee, while the previous Appeals committee model could not override the Board. This is a discipline model that ensures someone is responsible for difficult discipline matters (the Board) while the Review committee ensures that the disciplined member is protected by a second level of review.

Scott and his committee of Directors did an amazing job for our first Discipline hearing. It is a difficult task with strong legal ramifications, and if done professionally, legally, and compassionately it avoids costly legal disputes within our membership. The amount of investigation undertaken by the Board before the hearing was prodigious and as this was the first such hearing those investigations were reviewed for accuracy, completeness, and legality by a lawyer.

The appeals committee met on this matter and found the Board and the Discipline committee had investigated and proven the matters and as such the appeal was rejected. The appeals committee had to meet quickly based on review timelines and I thank them for being available so quickly, and for their diligence and integrity in this very important role.

Just a quick note on mandatory attendance. Although we have made what will likely be successful moves to reduce mandatory attendance to a total of 2 for long arms (both target and hunting combined) the regulations still have long arms target at 4 attendances and long arms hunting at 2 attendances for this year. Pistol and collecting remain the same and will not vary in the proposed change to a minimum of 2 attendances for long arms.

You have until June 30 to complete your attendances (4 target, 2 hunting, 1 collecting for long arms and as per your pistol ownership for pistol attendances) for the 23/24 financial year.

SSAA NSW is working to modify your membership so that you can opt in to auto renewal of your SSAA NSW membership. This is becoming very important as NSW firearms registry continues to develop Gunsafe.

Firearms registry Gunsafe program is being prepared to roll out for clubs and members. This program is in use for dealers but will be expanded to include firearms owners and will automatically inspect your genuine reason in real time.

If your genuine reason is SSAA membership, then the day your membership runs out means so does your license expire. Hence the need to protect you from inattention around membership and the safest way we can do that is to provide an opt in auto renewal that ensures your membership is always up to date.

I would like to finish this report with a special thankyou to our staff. Jai finished up in January and Andrew starts in March which left our staff without a CEO for a crucial period. The Audit process, the preparation for the AGM, and the issues surrounding ranges, and membership issues with registry have all continued full steam ahead. Our office staff led by Tracey and our range management led by Peter have managed increased workloads and pressure with good humour, hard work, skill, and diligence.

Andrew inherits a wonderful staff and I hope that the membership appreciates their efforts and thanks them when you have the opportunity.

Thank you and stay safe,

Lance Miller

SSAA NSW President

Andrew Macaulay – SSAA NSW CEO

The post SSAA NSW President’s Message – Lance Miller appeared first on SSAA NSW.

The new edition of the SSAA NSW What’s On! March 2024 is here…

Click on the image to read the full edition, enjoy!

What’s On! March 2024

The post What’s On! March 2024 appeared first on SSAA NSW.

Sponsored by Beretta Australia.

Under the guidance of our experienced range officers, participants had the opportunity to safely handle firearms and experience the thrill of shooting. Using the .22 calibre Tikka T1X UPR scoped bolt-action rifle, attendees aimed at various targets during their chosen two-hour session.

We had two sessions. Sessions were run for two hours.

Session 1: 11 am-1 pm

Session 2: 2 pm-4 pm

Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced shooter, our Try Shooting sessions are tailored to suit all skill levels.

With no previous experience required, everyone had the chance to learn in a safe, fun, and friendly environment.

With 50 enthusiastic attendees, the joy and excitement were palpable throughout the day. Divided into two sessions, each lasting two hours, participants received individual instruction on scope usage, magazine handling, bolt action, and reloading techniques.

Families were encouraged to join in the fun, with parents of junior shooters eagerly participating in the program. It was heartwarming to see families bonding over this wonderful sport.

During the event, SSAA Wagga Wagga hosted a delicious sausage sizzle, providing fuel for our hungry shooters and volunteers alike. Each Try Shooter received a SSAA NSW Show bag and a Beretta Australia Show bag filled with information and goodies to enjoy.

A huge thank you to Beretta Australia for their generous sponsorship, providing Tikka T1X UPR scoped rifles, ammunition, and show bags.

Special appreciation goes to Gemma Dunn from Beretta for her invaluable assistance throughout the day.

Thank you to Coffs Guns and Rural Supplies for donating prizes to the SSAA NSW Wagga Wagga Branch.

If you missed out on this, Try Shooting Day, don’t worry!

Keep an eye on our Facebook, Instagram, and Website for updates on upcoming events.

By becoming an SSAA NSW Member, you’ll receive regular email updates and stay informed about future events and articles.

Join us for an unforgettable shooting experience!

The post SSAA NSW & SSAA NSW Wagga Wagga Branch- Try Shooting Day appeared first on SSAA NSW.

Late last year the NSW Firearms Registry called for those interested in being a part of the Firearms Licence Qualification Course (FLQC) Consultative Group. The purpose of this group is to update the existing framework that includes the current structure, approval and criteria for course materials and instructor accreditation.

The New South Wales FLQC was developed in 2006 in conjunction with various stakeholders, including the NSW Firearms Registry, and aligned with the standards outlined in ‘Minimum National Standards for Firearms Safety Training in Australia’. These minimum standards were published by the Commonwealth Attorney General’s Department in 2006 and agreed to by all Australian States and Territories.

In 2014, a request was made seeking ownership of the FLQC so it could be updated due to numerous legislation amendments that had occurred since its development. In December 2014, this request was approved. Currently, four versions of the FLQC are approved by the NSW Firearms Registry:

• Safe Shooting Course Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW).
• Firearms Registry Firearms Licence Qualification Course.
• DPI Hunter LEAP Firearms and Hunting Safety (Long-arms) Course.
• Firearm Safety & Training Council.

Most recently SSAA NSW were asked to present our course material and processes to NSWFR who sought the following clarification.

• History of the SSAA NSW course – changes / developments.
• Current Learning Resources and method of delivery.
• Current Assessment requirements and method of delivery.
• Criteria and process for approval of SSAA NSW course instructors.

Other than course content (Theory and Practical components), it is envisaged that there will be some focus placed on the instructor accreditation, I will keep you updated as matters progress.

Should your Branch require assistance from SSAA NSW in accrediting fresh Firearms Safety Trainer Instructors please be sure to call SSAA NSW on (02) 7900 1555 or email admin@nsw.ssaa.org.au requesting assistance.

SSAA NSW RANGE OFFICER / RANGE OFFICER TRAINER WORKSHOP.

During the past 12 months I have traveled NSW assisting SSAA NSW Branches with Range Officer (RO) accreditations and reaccreditations. During this time, I have been fortunate to reacquaint with old friends and make new ones along the way which has been very fulfilling.

This experience has also given me the opportunity to gauge a better sense from those who undertake the RO role in terms of what they (you) see as being important going into the future. To this end in coming months (as mentioned in the field) I will be seeking those likeminded people who wish to be a part of a working group that undertakes to review our current RO and RO Trainer curriculum and accreditations.

I am confident that this process will serve to update our current teachings and learnings which are more relevant to current times and look forward to those of you who are willing to lend a hand.

See you on the range.

Peter Szaak.

The post Range/Branch Matters – March 2024 appeared first on SSAA NSW.