BUSHFIRES have caused damage estimated at $50,000 at Manning River Rifle Club's range at Koorainghat while Manning Great Lakes Archers Club range at Possum Brush has been razed.
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Rifle club captain Bruce Barlin also lost his home in the inferno. The home adjoins the range.
"We lost three shipping crates of materials and plant including a $9000 ride-on mower and about $7000 worth of targets,'' Mr Barlin said.
"Our clubhouse, kitchen and target room with its air compressor and $12,500 solar power system were totally destroyed.''
He added that steel purlins, rafters, studs and cladding were buckled by the heat and the club's two water and septic tanks simply dissolved.
"As the improvements were 95 per cent concrete and steel, the club was not insured against fire,'' Mr Barlin explained.
The club has a membership of 135. Shooting started at the Koorainghat complex in May 2009 after the club was formed in 2007.
"The club shoots Tuesday and Saturday mornings and all day Sunday,'' Mr Barlin said.
"We are a longarm and pistol target shooting club, a recreational and vermin control hunting club and a collecting club. We can shoot .22 rimfire all day for each of those days plus all day Friday if we wanted.''
Mr Barlin, his wife Janeane, son Tim and his wife and three children, four cats and two guinea pigs are all safe but now without a home.
"We are being all put up by club members with numerous offers for assistance and many items being supplied,'' he said.
Meanwhile Manning Great Lakes Archers Club president Karl Peck and members inspected the range at Joe's Cutting, Possum Brush earlier this week.
"It's all gone or 90 per cent of it has,'' he said.
The club leases the land off the forestry. The range was established in 2004.
"We always knew it was a risk out there, but we just hoped nothing would happen,'' Mr Peck said.
The club's membership is around the 50 mark, with competition conducted on Sundays.
An indoor archery facility was also destroyed.
Mr Peck admits he has 'no idea' how long the club will be out of action.
"We have to wait until we get permission from the forestry to go in there and start work,'' he said.
Mr Peck said the club has regularly hosted Northern NSW championships at the range while Australian titles have also been held there.
He said the range has a great reputation among the archery fraternity.
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