MAGS students take their shot at clay target club

By Matthew Kappos

Apr 30, 2025

George Calleja (left) and Terry Linke (right) were two of the expert Echuca Clay Target Club instructors helping MAGS students, including Tyler Cox. Photos: Jordan Townrow.

The latest intake of Moama Anglican Grammar students have completed a shooting program at Echuca Clay Target Club.

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The program, a partnership between the school and the club, saw kids complete a five-week shooting course, under the expert guidance of the club’s experienced shooting instructors.

“It was excellent, everything went really well,” program co-ordinator George Calleja said.

“The kids were very well-behaved, a compliment to the school the way the children behaved during shooting.”

Peter Kerr gives advice to Archie Frew. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

With no previous shooting experience required, the students were given a crash course in the basics of the sport, with a focus on safety and responsible use of the firearms, before getting a chance to take aim at the high-quality local facility.

The program has been running for several years, with this the third intake of students to go through the course.

MAGS teacher Anthony McMahon tried his hand on the range. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

While the students were able to shoot under direct instructor supervision as part of the program, those wishing to go further with the sport will have the opportunity to earn their shooter’s licence as NSW and Victoria firearms instructors visit the club on May 15.

The instructors will run through a seminar detailing correct safety procedures, followed by testing attendees on their knowledge.

Peter Kerr helps William Styles. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

The session is designed to teach rather than test and so help is on hand to ensure the knowledge is taken on. Calleja said 99 per cent of people receive their licence after attending this type of session.

Students with a junior licence would then be free to shoot at the club on regular practice and shoot days, with parental supervision, or at competitions around the state.

Alexander Attalh takes aim. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

“As long as their parents bring them, they can come out to practice, they can come out to any of the shoots, no problems,” Calleja said.

“They can shoot all the time without having an instructor behind them.

“They can just go out there and with a firearm’s license and shoot because they've done all the safety procedures and protocols before they go out to shoot.”