Mount Isa Pistol Club has been named the top pistol club in Australia.
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Mount Isa took out the club of the year award at the 2019 Pistol Australia Awards which were announced on Wednesday, May 6.
These were Pistol Australia's inaugural annual awards so it's a stand-out achievement for the club.
Mount Isa Pistol Club secretary Mark Strain said they received the award in a virtual presentation that was broadcast on Wednesday.
He and wife Joy Strain (club treasurer) made a pre-recorded video for the event.
"We found out Friday and had to do an online interview Sunday," Mr Strain said.
"It was a big achievement for us considering how many pistol clubs there are in Queensland, let alone in Australia.
"The members of the Mount Isa club are very proud and excited to receive this award."
In their nomination the club said it was one of the largest pistol clubs in Queensland outside of Brisbane and a hub of the local community since October 1966, with 80 members in juniors, men and ladies.
The club has used community grants to give it a facelift by painting the ranges and the air-con pistol shed received a lighting upgrade in 2019.
"This has been very successful in attracting members who couldn't always come to the club during the day," the club said in its nomination.
"The club also recently purchased three new air pistols, these are a great asset, being modern and light making them easy to use for all members."
In recent months the club formed a fifth range by placing a number of shipping containers strategically.
The club had to close its doors on March 25 due to COVID-19 but Mr Strain hopes they will resume shooting each weekend when restrictions lift.
"We are trying to attract younger members and shooters," he said.
"The demographics are changing, one time everyone was with the mines, now we are attracting more females which is good, and teachers, doctors and nurses.
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