General News
19 September, 2025
Right on target
WHEN Andrew Wiltshire began looking for a new sport long after hanging up his footy boots, the world of shooting beckoned.
“I was too old for footy but still wanted to be involved with some sort of sport,” Andrew said.
“As ex-military, shooting appealed and in 2022 I got my shooters’ licence and bought a 22.”
That purchase was the start of a successful affiliation with his new sport and the beginning of what was to become a long list of achievements - and a growing trophy cabinet.
“Today I’m shooting with a Savage Elite Precision 6.5 Creedmoor and I’m very happy with that,” Andrew said.
“Sport shooting is something that can be enjoyed at any age and it’s a great way to keep the mind active. I’ve made lots of new friends during our travels and at competitions and I’m actually really enjoying the challenge.
“It’s not just about keeping your eye in, there’s so many other factors that need to be taken into consideration and so much to learn – wind speed, wind direction, there’s a lot to take in.”
Among his growing list of awards, the Victorian Rifle Association ‘Sporting Open Rifle Kings Champion’ title is one Andrew is particularly proud of.
“That state competition was held in April at the Bendigo shooting range,” he said.
“I compete in the Sporting Open category (production class). The state championship was held over three days, across eight ranges.
“It was pretty tough going but we stayed on-site in a caravan and I had a great few days on the ranges.”
Competitors shot over distances from 500 yards through to 1000 yards.
“I really had my eye in for those three days and brought home several medals across the distances,” he said.
Of a possible 11 medals up for grabs during the competition, Andrew took home nine of those.
“This year was my second time at the Victorian championships; last year I was leading going in to the final round but the wind blew up and I dropped seven points in the last round and ended up losing by a point.
“This year in the Open Class I left the standard barrel on and shot really well. I was quite pleased with my results.”
Having shot so well at the event, Andrew considered heading to the national titles but felt he needed more experience in multi-day shooting.
“So after the Victorian championships, I headed to South Australia where I finished second overall.
“The conditions were pretty tough. There was a lot of wind to contend with which means you need to make a lot of adjustments and make allowances for those variations.”
A member of the Warrnambool Rifle Club since 2022, Andrew enjoys the friendships made and the opportunity to shoot both indoors and outdoors.
The club is situated in the Duram Park target complex in Allansford.
