Historical information

These books were used by the Orbost Rifle Club to record correspondence.
The Orbost Rifle Club existed in the early 20th century. (There are records from 1900). It folded in the late 1970's.

Significance

Target shooting is one of the oldest organised sports in Australia. Records date back to the British Marines at Sydney Cove in 1788. The Victorian Rifle Association (VRA) was formed in 1860.
One of the most important adjuncts to the militia system from 1903 to the re-organisation of 1912 was the role played by the Rifle Club movement in Australia. At the time, these clubs were seen as the reservoir of manpower for a potential guerrilla force should any invasion occur. For Australia, the invasion fear was uppermost in the minds of the population.
So important were the rifle clubs for the defence of Australia that the Commonwealth provided the training staff, rifles and ammunition so the clubs could function. Members were drilled, wore uniforms and practised all the basic skills of soldiering as well as target shooting. The Orbost Rifle Club was active during this period.

Physical description

Four duplicate Correspondence books. All are brown with a brown cloth spine. 1359.1, 1359.2 and 1359.3 have marbled covers and 1359.4 has a dark brown soft cover with "TUDOR DUPLICATE BOOK" in paler print.