General News
11 October, 2025
FLASHBACK: October 9 1975
Restrictions on junior shooting permits have been removed following debate in State Parliament.
Mr Ken Wright, National Party Member for Wimmera Province, announced the change and said the Minister for Police, Mr Toose, had brought it about.
Mr Toose said the removal of age restrictions allowed for applications to be approved on their individual merits. The applications still must satisfy the Chief Commissioner of Police that they were fit and proper persons to hold a Firearms Licence.
In Parliament, Mr Wright said the situation was ridiculous in which a boy aged 18 years and nine months could not be given a junior shooter’s permit, but could apply for an adult shooter’s licence only three months later.
He said it limited the school shooting clubs’ membership, and at the same time hampered the development of the sport.
Mr Wright estimated he had received 150 letters of complaint about the regulation. Many were advised of the change and expressed their appreciation.
The Upper House was told the change would also ensure country youngsters were treated the same as their city counterparts.
The debate arose after the Firearms Act was changed to make all applicants under 18 years of age ineligible for a junior permit.
The Police Department advised the field had been applying the Act in an “overly strict” manner and that its interpretation had excluded otherwise suitable young people.
Mr Wright said he appreciated the Minister’s prompt action in removing the restriction and expressed confidence that country sportsmen and women would also welcome the change.
He said firearm safety training was already part of most school shooting clubs, and the new flexibility would ensure fairer access for rural families.
Show girl is a main attraction
Although not always well supported, one of the main attractions of the Hopetoun A. & P. Society show is the show girl section.
This year, under the supervision of Mrs Iris Burdett, several girls have already been approached and asked to enter the Miss Sun Show Girl section.
Open to girls 17 years and over, the winner receives a trophy valued at $20 and a sash.
Mrs Burdett said she was being sponsored by Hopetoun’s business houses and sporting bodies.
Details of judging and requirements are entered on page six of the Show Schedule and further entries are invited.
Business houses and sporting bodies are invited to sponsor girls, however, unsponsored entrants are also very welcome to compete.
Mrs Burdett said the Society would assist any girl interested.
There are four sections in the Show Girl contest, being divided into three-year groups, 8–12, 13–16, and Miss Sun Show Girl.
Other districts are also invited to the 1975 show at Hopetoun, the 118th event.
Smith backs VFU on meat
Minister of Agriculture, Mr Smith, has agreed to support the principle of orderly marketing of meat in Victoria.
He has said he is in full sympathy with Victorian Farmers’ Union requests for marketing reform.
He will do everything possible to enforce them.
The VFU’s Sunraysia branch is heartened by Mr Smith’s attitude.
The branch believes cattle all over Victoria are now virtually being given away under the “outmoded” auction system.
VFU pastoral division chairman, Mr Bill Carberry, said yesterday that until now, Victorian producers had disposed of their stock, but it had never really been marketed.