Gallery | State carnival a hit at Echuca Clay Target Club

By Josh Huntly

Dec 19, 2022

On target: Paddy Eeles competing at the Victorian state carnival at Echuca Clay Target Club. Photos: Steve Huntley Photo by Steve Huntley

The Victorian Clay Target Association State Carnival attracted more than 400 shooters to Echuca in another successful event for the local range.

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With a cloud hanging over the viability of the event in the lead-up due to the recent floods, Echuca Clay Target Club president Nick Dean said it was fantastic to see so many high-quality competitors turn up.

“It was touch-and-go in the month leading up because of the flooding we had,” Dean said.

“We had some of the best shooters in the country there over the weekend, bar none.

Loading up: Echuca clay target legend Stephen Atkins reloads. Photo by Steve Huntley

“It was a very relaxed atmosphere; I think people were rapt to be able to be there and that it all went ahead in the end.”

With eight events held from Thursday to Sunday last week, ECTC was a hive of activity.

Former Olympian Steve Haberman took out the 75-target Champion of Champions event, while Russell Mark and Braden Veale were winners of the double rise and handicap events respectively.

Line up: Shooters line up at the VCTA State Carnival in Echuca. Photo by Steve Huntley

On Saturday, Ben Rumbel claimed the single barrel championship before Shooting Australia National Squad member Mitch Iles provided the highlights in the double barrel.

“Conditions were perfect for the double barrel on Saturday,” Dean said.

“State champion Mitch Iles shot 821 targets to win the double barrel championship, which is no mean feat.”

Cool, calm, collected: Andrew Fiek in action at the VCTA State Carnival. Photo by Steve Huntley

But perhaps the story of the weekend went to Melbourne Gun Club junior Aimee Norris, who claimed the 50-target point score championship in a thrilling shoot-off.