July-August 2010 - New Zealand Clay Target Association

OBITUARYC Grade Points Score; Scott Wagstaff, Matt Dyer, Tony Beaver.B Grade Single Barrel; Stu Clark, Ian Crowe.JOHN MARTENSFor the last twenty years John, PeterBrenton and I have attended sportingclay venues around NZ and overseas.Peter having passed away some fouryears ago had a huge impact on us butnow John has gone I feel a loss that onlya true friend can experience.We had a reputation as being theliving legends in sporting clay circlesand it was often said if you can shootin our squad you could shoot anywhere. I think this alludedto our constant banter and joking as fun and companionship weremore important than a good score, although there were occasionsof a prize which always brought about the question “are we stayingor going yonge heer” (young man) as it was very important forJohnny to get back to Vonny, his true love and soul mate.It was nice to see some of the original shooting group fromWaitemata Clay Target Club (the wombles as Russell Heward hadnamed us) attending the funeral along with a large number offriends and business associates.Special thanks to Sid Turner and Robbie Clark for travellingfrom the north.John lived life for enjoyment and fun but was also a businessman highly revered by the companies he dealt with in the carpetworld, he will be missed by many.Andy Veltmeyer.Ellesmere 90 Years On continued:Grant Castles receiving his life membership from Allan Ebbett.C Grade Single Barrel; Allan Treloar, Scott Wagstaff, Matt Dyer.And so the Club continues to flourish as the sons, grandsons,great-grandsons and relatives of the founders mixed with theblood of several fine shots who have opted to affiliate to theClub.The club is very proud of its group of young shooters all ofwhom show great promise. Andrew Washbourne has the potentialto emulate the feats of his great-great Uncle Ted and father Barrywho both attained NZ titles Jack Turner has the blood of E L F(Wig) Donald in his veins. Wig was a very fine shot and on his dayvirtually unbeatable. Karl Perrett from Ashburton is also a talentedjunior. Ethan Garrett is the type of boy one would like as a son- sowell mannered and keen to learn, he is developing into a forceto be reckoned with at the Club. Ethan’s friend Jake Hamilton isimproving every shoot. Both these boys come from the Lakesidearea which has produced so many fine shots for the Club.The Club is in good heart with a popular and hardworkingPresident and an enthusiastic Committee with a “get things doneattitude’’ and is steadily improving its facilities. There are manyfamilies and businesses who readily provide sponsorship and theClub is very appreciative of this support. Membership has surgedof late and is approaching 50 affiliated to the Club. Attendances atshoots boosted by visiting shooters from other Clubs have beensteadily on the increase. Evening practice shoots held during daylight saving months have brought out good numbers resulting inseveral new members. Pride in the Club is very evident so the Clubcan look forward to the future with confidence.gunshot 49