Wurgabup Rifle Club
WURGABUP: HOME OF CHAMPIONS
by Harry Smith
Published in “Katanning – A Century of Stories”
My thanks go to Mrs Cicely Blackall of Katanning who provided the details of the first eleven years from her father’s diary. The years from 1952 came from the club minute books that were available, and from the memory of the author.
On 9 July 1910 a meeting was held in the Rockwell Hall to discuss the forming of a Rifle Club. No attendance record is available, but apparently there was sufficient interest to go ahead with the lease of available Commonwealth land, and the Wurgabup Rifle Club was formed and established on the same site it occupies now. Within days the clearing of trees began, all done manually of course, and by August tenders were called for the construction of a target pit and stop butt (the remains of which are still to be seen today).
The target mechanism installed was quite different from our present frames. Targets were in pairs and pivoted on a central axle which meant one was in the ready position at the top and the other at the bottom to be marked. The marker’s job was to rotate the target when fired on.
In the years between 1910 and 1921 some forty-odd members attended the club, however other sports such as football and cricket became more attractive, and it had to close in 1922.
RESTARTING THE CLUB
Thirty years elapsed before moves were made to re-form the club and start shooting again. The intervening years had seen the range revert to bush, hardly distinguishable from its surrounds. Walter Blackall, who had some target shooting experience, aroused district interest and on 2 April 1952, he and Eric Smith convened a meeting in the supper room of the old Badgebup Hall. Together with eight others, they re-formed the Wurgabup Rifle Club, electing a Captain, Eric Smith, Secretary, Walter Blackall, and Treasurer Alan Beeck.
The very next day an inspection showed that the old range constructions weren’t of any value, and they would have to start from scratch.
On 1 July 1952, the first General Meeting was held, and enthusiastic members decided to proceed with the clearing of timber and to construct a two-target pit. Much help was given by Mr Bill Harrison, the Inspector of Rifle Ranges of that time, who provided plans and advice.
The clearing was contracted to Murray and Jim Taylor, one of the first bulldozing contractors in the area, who had an International TD 18 tractor. Some of the pit earthworks was done free of charge by John Wake of Wake’s Garage who demonstrated a Fowler Crawler tractor from his business in Katanning.
Subscriptions to the club were set at £2 , with a further £2 and £1 levied to pay for the £84 clearing account. This sum was later reimbursed by the Defence Department who at that time were in control of all rifle ranges.
The club needed membership numbers to get Army assistance, and it was quite typical of the district people that many of them joined just to help us get established. Some didn’t even shoot. Under Army control .303 ammunition was very cheap and I recall the sale of brass cartridge cases paying the costs of purchasing new supplies.
The official opening and first recorded shoot were held in very hot weather on 11 January 1953. Neighbouring clubs attending were Nyabing, Kojonup, Katanning and Broomehill. Keen rivalry developed between these clubs, and we were to later have many a grudge match against them. The late Wally Williams of Katanning performed the opening ceremony, congratulating members on their effort and giving sound advice on shooting and club performance.
INTERESTING HIGHLIGHTS
There have been a lot of highlights of the club and one incident, that at the time seemed quite unpleasant, but is now more humorous, led to better things. It happened on a hot day when there was no club house to get out of the heat. Tempers became frayed and consequently punches were thrown, resulting in one fellow not having to open his mouth to clean his teeth as his lip was split enough for them to protrude. After that incident a 23 foot by 12-foot (7 m x 3.5 m) club house was built, a water tank was purchased, along with a kerosene refrigerator, and cool refreshments were the order of the day from then on.
On another occasion, a new club member arrived at the range on his second visit and saw a small group of long-timers all with heads bowed talking in low tones and kicking the dirt. Thinking a bereavement must have been on their minds, he waited a respectable time before approaching. G’ day, what’s up?’ he asked. ‘What’s up? I’ll tell you what’s up. There’s no cold b—– beer, that’s what’s up!’
RANGE & CLUB UPGRADES
With membership growing and enthusiasm for better facilities, an upgrading at the range in the early 1970s saw a lot of manpower put to the test on building a stone strong room. The reason for this was to make the beer secure, someone having emptied the refrigerator at this time. A cell door from the old lockup being demolished in Katanning was purchased from the Police Department to make sure no one gained unauthorised access to this illegal (in those days) supply.
Following this, SEC power was connected, and the club acquired a restricted liquor licence. From then on refrigerated refreshments were kept cool at all times and safe from theft. It was legal too. The strong-room is very much a feature of today and incorporated into the present 60 foot by 30 foot (18 m x 9 m) building. Power, toilets, showers and caravan park bays are some of the facilities visitors have at their convenience when attending the two two-day prize meetings held each year, and of course these are enjoyed by members on the many other competitive shooting days throughout the year.
The range has been upgraded from the first two-target pit to take as many as ten shooters on targets at a time. The latest project completed is a new target pit, beyond the present one in use, allowing us to shoot over 875 yards (800 m). This extra distance gives shooters a chance to improve their skills.
NOTABLE MEMBERS
Wurgabup has the distinction of having had several members chosen to shoot in State and Australian men’s teams. They are John Caldwell, Barry Ramm, Jim Moore and Alex McWhirter. Alex has also been an Australian team member in competition at Bisley in England. Betty Atkinson has been in the State Ladies’ team and Gray Robinson in the State Under 25s. This is a record of which the club is justifiably proud. Club shooting is of a high standard with many highly commendable scores recorded.
Members who have given outstanding service to the club and have been honoured with life membership are Walter Blackall, Eric Smith, Alan Beeck, the late Bob Tree, Laurie Caldwell, Ross Beeck, Gaved Beeck and in 1987 George Edwards. Any club is only as good as the members that belong to it and Wurgabup has always had those who get on well together and are willing to work. This in turn has produced a spirit of good fellowship and good sportsmanship. It is probably no coincidence that the standard of shooting is very high and that many champions are proud to call Wurgabup their club. Long may it continue.
The author, Harry Smith, won the inaugural West Australian Rifle Association President’s Award of ‘Club Member of the Year’ in 1986. This prestigious award was donated by the late M. S. Herbert OAM, JP, who was State President at the time of his death. Any club may nominate one of its members who has given outstanding service to the sport, and it is greatly to Wurgabup and Harry’s credit that he was first in the State to receive this honour. Ed.
NEWSPAPER REPORTS
PROPOSED RIFLE CLUB
Great Southern Herald
10 April 1952 – p1
A meeting was called at Badgebup last week with the purpose of forming a local rifle club. A committee pro tem was formed with Mr B. F. Smith as Captain and Mr W. Blackall, Secretary. These officers will be pleased to answer any enquiries from interested persons
BADGEBUP NOTES
RIFLE CLUB
Great Southern Herald
11 July 1952 – p2
There was a good attendance at the Wurgabup Rifle Club’s second meeting held recently in the Badgebup Hall, when President, Mr Eric Smith presided with secretary, Mr W. Blackall and Committeemen, Messrs L. Haddleton and Gaved Beeck. Prior to the general business of the meeting the president called for nominations to fill two vacancies on the committee. Messrs Ken Ball and Ross Hersey were elected and Messrs R. E. Tree and G. D. Warren appointed joint auditors.
The secretary advised he had been in constant touch with the Inspector of Rifle Ranges since the last meeting, and the Club is now waiting the Inspector’s visit to the range site before finalising arrangements for bulldozing and working bees.
OFFICIAL OPENING HELD
Great Southern Herald
16 January 1953 – p10
The official opening of the Wurgabup Rifle Club was held last Sunday when members of the Katanning, Broomehill, Kojonup and Nyabing Clubs took part. Mr Wally Williams of Katanning performed the opening ceremony and congratulated the Club on its fine achievement and also gave members some sound advice.
In the first official shot to be fired a bullseye was scored. Top scorers were Messrs W. Blackall (Wurgabup) and H. Meldrum (Katanning), who tied for first place with 59.
FROM LOST KATANNING MEMBERS
Edgar Josiah Walter Slee and Francis Charles Henry Slee, in uniform. Sons of Walter and Elizabeth Slee, farmers, of Melrose, Edgar was born in 1896 and died in 1975 in Albany, Western Australia. He had been a Prisoner of War in Friedrichsfeld, Germany. Francis was born in Melrose in 1898 and died in June 1917 in France. He had belonged to the 16th battalion. Approximately 1915.
Credit: State Library of South Australia
Wurgabup Rifle Club and its place in Katanning History.
From Stephen Bowes
Badgebup and Rockwell are nearby localities in East Katanning, Western Australia. Wurgabup Rifle Club still carries on competitive shooting. I (Stephen Bowes) am a long-standing member.
Please allow me to quote from ‘A Place to Meet‘ by Merle Bignell:
By 1917 the full tragic hopelessness of the war was realized. Within three years boys had grown to enlistment age and as soon as possible followed older brothers overseas.
A troop of the Light Horse had been formed at Rockwell for some time and Campbell Warren was one of its most enthusiastic members. He was a competent horseman like his father and showed great promise as a polo player. He was also a keen member of the rifle range which the Rockwell men had cleared at Wurgabup in July 1910. In June 1917, Campbell Warren volunteered for overseas service, as did three others of the Rockwell troop – Fred Marquis, and Frank and Edgar Slee.
The last named became a German prisoner of war and was the only one to return. St Peters Church at Badgebup was built by local folk to commemorate Campbell Warren, and became a memorial to all of the young men of the Badgebup district lost in the Great War and in subsequent conflicts.
NARROGIN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE VISITS
From Stephen Bowes via Facebook
During the 1990s, Wurgabup Rifle Club entertained boys from Narrogin Agricultural College for an afternoon of training and competition in our discipline of Full Bore Target Rifles. It was an annual event enjoyed immensely by both sides.
.
From Jan Denboer (via Facebook)
My father Alan Beeck and his brothers Ross and Gaved were on the committee that restarted the rifle range after the war. I think in 1952. Inside the club house on a wall are great photos of the Life Members of the club. It was a social Saturday afternoon for the young farmers, back from the war to discuss farming methods, politics, play cards, the odd keg of beer and shooting.
From Teresa McGrechan (via Facebook)
I remember shooting guns on ladies day at Wurgabup…we used to patch the bullet holes with little squares of paper n glue.
CAN YOU HELP?
Are, or were, you a member of the Wurgabup Rifle Club in Badgebup? Are you able to provide further historic information about the club? Do you have photos and information on later events at Wurgabup?
If so, I would love to hear from you. I can be contacted via email at
admin@lostkatanning.au
or you can complete and submit the form below.