Now that you have moved beyond thinking about joining and are looking at taking the next step, you will find it is an easy process.
Follow the instructions under ‘Intro Days‘ to the right to book yourself in to one of our “New Member Introduction Days”. These days are held on the first Sunday of each month and this is the only way unlicensed people can join our club. The days commence at 9.15am and being late is not a good way to introduce yourself to the club as it will delay other prospective members. Bookings are only accepted while the ‘Register’ button is active and only until we reach our limit for the month. Allow an additional 20-30 minutes to be processed through the main entrance, queues can be long.
When you arrive at our range complex you MUST stop at the entry gate to sign in and pay the entry fee. Tell the attendant at the gate you’re coming to the PPLA Introduction Day and pay the gate entry fee. Find your way to the PPLA club house and make yourself known to a committee member.
You are required by law to provide two forms of identification, one of which must be photographic. You will be provided with some police paperwork to complete and sign. You will then obtain your allocation of 50 rounds of ammunition from the club and pay your $35.00 as a contribution to your gun use and instruction. It is your responsibility to have your own eye and ear protection. Failure to bring these items with you will result in you NOT taking part in the instruction day. The club has EFTPOS facilities.
After a safety talk and an introduction to the club you will be divided into various groups depending on how many times you have attended the Introduction days. The club will limit you to a MAXIMUM of THREE attendances in four months, after which you must make up your mind to join the club or move on.
You will be taken up onto the range with an instructor for your group session. SAFETY is paramount and any infractions of our safety protocols are an offence. If we deem the infraction serious enough, you will be asked to leave the range and possibly asked not to return.
The club has an excellent safety record, and we go out of our way to maintain it. We are using REAL firearms, and any mistake could cost you or someone else their life, so extreme care MUST be taken at all times.
During the training, you will learn the basics of holding and using a firearm. All prospective members are considered to have no prior knowledge of firearms when they first attend the club, regardless of their background. Our instructors will have the final say on any competencies that a person may or may not have. Failure to abide by all the directions given by any of our instructors may result in you being banned from the range and possibly reported to Victoria Police. The instructor’s decision is final.
After you have attended at least two training sessions the club may offer you membership application paperwork which you can bring back with you on your third attendance. The fully and correctly completed applications will be reviewed by the committee at its monthly meeting on the first Monday of each month. If accepted the club will notify you within one week. If rejected, you will be notified in the same time frame. The club is not required to provide any details as to why you were rejected.
Now all of this might seem daunting, but it is a requirement that all persons taking up the sport of pistol shooting are properly trained and understand the workings of a firearm. Once you get used to being around firearms, it is straightforward and safe.
When you have completed your three introduction days and have joined the club you will receive a training book that will detail a lot more information of what is required to continue your training and gain a licence.
This continuation training can take up to 9 months to complete and will result in you becoming competent and safe in the care and use of a handgun, particularly related to the sport of IPSC.
DRESS CODE
For safety reasons we have a dress code. EVERYONE should be wearing long pants and fully enclosed footwear. NO thongs or open toed shoes. NO singlets. NO camouflage clothing is permitted.
Ladies it is suggested that you DO NOT wear a V neck top or tank top as empty cases can go anywhere and they ARE HOT!!
Ensure that that you have proper eye and ear protection, you WILL NOT be allowed on the range without them.
SUMMARY OF ATTENDING INTRO DAYS
The club is NOT a commercial shooting facility and people undertaking our Intro Days should be genuinely interested in joining our club and taking up the sport of pistol shooting.
- Book in as described above.
- When your booking is confirmed, attend on the date that you booked for.
- Ensure that you have the proper personal protection equipment.
- Ensure that you are wearing appropriate clothing, see above.
- At the end of your session, if you are interested in returning for further Intro days, ADD your name to the sheet in the clubhouse.
- You can attend a MAXIMUM of 3 Intro Days in a 4-month period, after which you MUST join the club, or move on. Application paperwork can be given to you at the end of your second visit if you will definitely be joining the club. See your instructor. This will save you a month of the joining period.
- If there is ANYTHING that you do not understand, or wish to have clarified, contact Bill Campbell either at the range or by email, bjcmbell@bigpond.com.
Many thanks for showing an interest in sport pistol shooting.
See you on the range.