Historical information

A Rifle Association was formed in Bacchus Marsh in April 1868. In 1882 this Association was reformed as the Bacchus Marsh Rifle Club and given the number 4. This photograph was taken at the first range used by the club which was near the old Woolpack Inn on the Melbourne to Ballarat Road. Rifle Club members in this image are known to include, W. H. McFarlane, F. Lewin, W. Marshall, T. Heath, E. A. Jones, W. Meikle, J. Dodemaide, D. Murray, W. H. McFarlane Jnr., J. Young, W. Mahoney, W, Rae. The Bacchus Marsh Express newspaper of 6 October 1883 reported that this image was taken during a married versus single match on the 3rd October, 1883. The match was interrupted to allow the photograph to be taken. This resulted in the match finishing in the dusk with the win going to the married team. This image is one of a series of photographs taken by Melbourne based photographers Stevenson and McNicoll who visited Bacchus Marsh and its nearby districts between September and November 1883.

Physical description

Black and white photographic print copy of original sepia 'carte de visite' style unframed photograph on card with gold border framing photograph. Part of the original inscription can be seen on the front left side of the photograph, which is one of a set of images taken in and around Bacchus Marsh in 1883 by the photographers Stevenson and McNicoll. The image shows a group of nineteen men holding rifles standing on either side of a white target board, the central bullseye showing a number of hits. All are posed against a backdrop of hills.

Inscriptions & markings

Printed
On the front: Stevenson & McNicoll. Photo. 108 Elizabeth St. Melbourne. COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED AT ANY TIME.