June 10th, 2023Gun club back at Glenlyon Reserve

Image: Kyle Barnes | Words: Donna Kelly
AFTER it was shut down more than three years ago, the Daylesford Sporting Clays club is set to return to the Glenlyon Reserve.
The closure came after a couple of people raised lead contamination and high PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) level concerns around the reserve from the club’s activities.
But after lengthy investigations and testing, it was found all of the figures were well within any legal requirements or cause for concern.
Vice president Jody Wallace said the club and its around 40 members were keen to get back to their home of 43 years.
And with the change to a biodegradable wad and steel shot, and pretty much PAHs-free clay targets, they were probably the most environmentally friendly gun club in Australia.
“The wad is made out of starch from potato skins and breaks down into the ground within a month of being fired – and they are nontoxic and can even be added to compost. And while the clay targets are
not biodegradable they are environmentally friendly, and we all love anything good for the environment.”
Jody said over the past three years some members had moved to other clubs “they had to shoot somewhere and we didn’t know if we
would be up and running again” but it was hoped they would return once shooting started again in July.
“We’ve probably got about 39 members now and before we had about 60 so we would definitely like some new people too.”
The club had been given the green light to hold a shoot last Saturday, June 3 but had been notified by Winchester that the shells would not make the deadline.
Jody said the first shoot would now be Saturday, July 1 with the reserve grounds inside the oval/racecourse closed to the public from 9am to 5pm. “It’s pretty much closed all day Saturday because of the set up and then cleaning up but the playground, carpark and camping ground are still open to the public. They are safe as houses because we only shoot towards the centre of the ground.”
Jody said there had been fantastic support from the Glenlyon community along with other reserve user groups like the Glenlyon Pony Club.
“I had to do a letter drop recently and talked to about 40 people and everyone I spoke to was happy for the club to be back.
“And we had huge support from the community after we were closed down with petitions and things like that. We are going to hold a barbeque once we are up again to thank the community for helping
us out.”
Jody said he joined the club about 15 years ago after “starting off like everyone just turning up to have a shot”.
And anyone who wants to do the same is welcome. “The club has a couple of try guns and on a sporting ground people can fire a gun under the instruction of a licenced gun shooter.
“If you do follow it through you’ll need a gun and a licence.”
Shoots will be held on Saturdays on July 1, August 5, September 2, October 14 and November 4. Details: Jody Wallace on 0417 592 952.