ANZAC Rifle Range

The ANZAC Rifle Range is the largest rifle range in the southern hemisphere,^{[citation needed]} and is located on the Malabar Headland, south of Sydney. It is headquarters to the New South Wales Rifle Association, and hosts the annual NSW Queen's Prize. The range is shared between various shooting associations and clubs with the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (SSAA) occupying the "southern" end of the complex. The range is also extensively used by clubs affiliated with the SSAA and NSWRA.

Range history

1850s: recreational shooting began on the rifle range site.

1888: recreational target shooting reported to be in action.

1910: NSW Government dedicated the whole headland for military purposes.

1916: a cliff face ocean outfall for sewerage established south of the nominated area.

1919: a permanent rifle range site was surveyed on the site.

1929: control of the rifle range was transferred to the Commonwealth.

1939–1945: various military installations (circa 43 in number) built on the site, notably the Boora Point Battery.

1967: NSW Rifle Association clubs transferred to the site from Holsworthy.

1968–1988: rifle range site used for extensive landfill operations, possibly from nearby industrial sites.

1970: name of the area changed to Anzac Rifle Range, Malabar.

1986: Commonwealth announced intention to dispose of property, and official military use ceased.

1990s: legal action undertaken by NSW Rifle Association to prevent disposal of the site.

Clubs using the range

• Bankstown Chatswood Rifle Club — A long range F-Class and target rifle club.
• Royal Australian Navy Rifle Reserve Club (RANRRC) - a multi-disciplinary club with a history dating back to some 70 years on the range.

External links

• New South Wales Rifle Association
• SSAA
• Bankstown Chatswood Rifle Club
• Royal Australian Navy Rifle Reserve Club
• Randwick City Tourism: Anzac Rifle Range
• Randwick City Council: Anzac Rifle Range