The History of the Tally Ho Gun Club
The formation of the Club was the result of an idea of Pat Brennan's. Pat enlisted in the R.A.A.F. in the 2nd World War from the family property "Moonarie", Tambar Springs. At wars end when Pat returned to civilian life, he used to attend Air Crew Reunions on Jack Dowe's property, "Four Winds" out of Tamworth where entertainment consisted of a clay target shoot. Pat became very interested in the sport and suggested to a few friends in his own district it might be fun to start up a small club. Most countrymen in those days were good bush shots, and took up the idea with alacrity.
A good meeting occasion was the weekly practice of the Tally Ho Polo Club, whose ground had been formed on Norm Simson's property "Nowley", adjoining South Wandobah. Norm and his brothers Colin of "Howes Hill" and Jim of "Lignum", were very keen as was Bruce Davidson, a near neighbour from "Merrivale".
Norm may have had a few shots previously at "Gunnible", where R.A. Staughton had a Gun Club for a brief period, which whetted his appetite for the sport.
About 1954 this group laid out a rough ground and Jim Simson made a trap which they housed in a coconut oil tank. The noise for the trapper inside was dreadful when someone shot the tank by accident. To alleviate this problem they dug a hole with a single furrow plough pulled by Colin Simson's brand new shiney Land Rover and covered the back of the tank with earth. Norm ordered the clays and cartridges from Mick Simmons and weekly shoots were held on Saturday or Sunday mornings with Polo practice in the afternoons.
Later on I.C.I. became interested and sent their travellers Newton Thomas and Don Scowcroft, who brought up guns.
Frannie Simson, Colin's daughter designed a Club Badge. An automatic trap was bought and installed and a bought shelter shed complete with bar was built.
Dave and Doug York from Quirindi used to attend, as did Ray Moore, Cros O'Connor and Dave Cassin from Tamworth. Ray Morton, Danny Mott and a couple of mates from Newcastle and wives came on one occasion and had a whale of a time. They hadn't experienced before what fun country people could turn on.
Members of the Tally Ho Club who gained their early experience in Clay Target Shooting and went on to acquit themselves were:
- Pat Brennan, who shot 75 straight at a shoot held on the Baldwin property "Durham" at Manilla,
- Bruce Davidson, who was selected for the State Team in 1957,
- Norm Simson, who was selected for the State Team in 1958,
- Steve Staughton, who was selected for the State Team in 1961.
The Tally Ho Gun Club folded when Norm Simson sold "Nowley" in 1964. Some years later when the Gunnedah Gun Club was formed, the Tally Ho Club had some money in the kitty and decided to buy a cup, which is now competed for each year at Gunnedah. The Tally Ho Cup is regarded as one of the most prestigious trophies in the North West.
Compiled by Pat Brennan, Bruce Davidson and Steve Staughton. Transcribed by Jo Staughton, circa 2000.
Note: Pat Brennan married Tine Simson from "Wandobah".
A good meeting occasion was the weekly practice of the Tally Ho Polo Club, whose ground had been formed on Norm Simson's property "Nowley", adjoining South Wandobah. Norm and his brothers Colin of "Howes Hill" and Jim of "Lignum", were very keen as was Bruce Davidson, a near neighbour from "Merrivale".
Norm may have had a few shots previously at "Gunnible", where R.A. Staughton had a Gun Club for a brief period, which whetted his appetite for the sport.
About 1954 this group laid out a rough ground and Jim Simson made a trap which they housed in a coconut oil tank. The noise for the trapper inside was dreadful when someone shot the tank by accident. To alleviate this problem they dug a hole with a single furrow plough pulled by Colin Simson's brand new shiney Land Rover and covered the back of the tank with earth. Norm ordered the clays and cartridges from Mick Simmons and weekly shoots were held on Saturday or Sunday mornings with Polo practice in the afternoons.
Later on I.C.I. became interested and sent their travellers Newton Thomas and Don Scowcroft, who brought up guns.
Frannie Simson, Colin's daughter designed a Club Badge. An automatic trap was bought and installed and a bought shelter shed complete with bar was built.
Dave and Doug York from Quirindi used to attend, as did Ray Moore, Cros O'Connor and Dave Cassin from Tamworth. Ray Morton, Danny Mott and a couple of mates from Newcastle and wives came on one occasion and had a whale of a time. They hadn't experienced before what fun country people could turn on.
Members of the Tally Ho Club who gained their early experience in Clay Target Shooting and went on to acquit themselves were:
- Pat Brennan, who shot 75 straight at a shoot held on the Baldwin property "Durham" at Manilla,
- Bruce Davidson, who was selected for the State Team in 1957,
- Norm Simson, who was selected for the State Team in 1958,
- Steve Staughton, who was selected for the State Team in 1961.
The Tally Ho Gun Club folded when Norm Simson sold "Nowley" in 1964. Some years later when the Gunnedah Gun Club was formed, the Tally Ho Club had some money in the kitty and decided to buy a cup, which is now competed for each year at Gunnedah. The Tally Ho Cup is regarded as one of the most prestigious trophies in the North West.
Compiled by Pat Brennan, Bruce Davidson and Steve Staughton. Transcribed by Jo Staughton, circa 2000.
Note: Pat Brennan married Tine Simson from "Wandobah".