I’ve only been a member of the ADA for three years, but it has been an amazing experience so far and I feel like I learn something new at every event and meeting.
I incorrectly thought I had joined at the worst possible time, just as COVID-19 took off in 2020, but I have been to just about every local meeting and event and it has been a steep but enjoyable learning curve, culminating in me shooting and butchering my first two deer last year. In three years of ADA membership I’ve made some amazing new friends, both through various activities of the local ACT and Snowy Mountains branch and also by attending the ADA national deer hunting camps that Bernd Michaelsen runs at Shelley Forest camp in Victoria.
On Thursday night I had the pleasure of attending (with about 120 other people) the huge February meeting of the ACT and Snowy Mountains branch. The wall of trophies that various members of the branch brought in to display and answer questions about was the highlight, along with guest speaker Zebra Jones, who is a YouTube sensation among sambar hunters of the Victorian High Country. Zeb shared his secrets for tracking and shooting the elusive Australian sambar, which were originally introduced to Australia from Sri Lanka in 1861. He explained the tactics and gear he uses both for himself and for those who subscribe to his various hunter training programs.
I also got to enjoy a beer and a chat with Dan Repacholi, who is a federal member for the electorate of, I kid you not, Hunter. Dan is also co-chair of Parliamentary Friends of Shooting with Senator Bridget McKenzie, and is a keen shooter himself, having won many medals at the international level in target air pistol competitions, including at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games. It’s good to know that hunters and shooters have friends and supporters in high places, who understand Australia’s historic hunting culture and how valuable it is to be able to hunt and feed your family and friends with wild venison.
My only disappointment on the night was that there was no venison on the menu at the German Harmonie Club in Narrabundah, so we ordered pork knuckles instead. Dan said it was not as good as a hamburger from his hometown (he actually has a printed 2023 calendar called ‘Burgers of the Hunter’) but he did still find it very tasty and filling.
On behalf of the other members of the ACT and Snowy Mountains branch, I would like to thank our president, David Carter, and the other members of our executive committee for organising such an excellent event. Particular thanks go to Trevor Vivian, who managed the front registration desk all night and still found time to expertly talk to a few members about the size of their trophies. We also thank Graham Turner, Malcolm, Russell, Bob, Tom and other members who put in a great effort to carefully transport and display an extremely impressive array of their trophies and skins for us all to observe and appreciate.
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