Our Club History |
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The Kalamunda Governor Stirling Archers (KGSA) has existed in its present state since 1998 following a true merger (as distinct from a takeover) of two separate clubs with similar demographics.. The original committee of the merged clubs in 1998 was made up of representatives from both clubs and we picked the best of what each club did in going forward (eg club championship format; constitution, etc).
In hindsight, the choice to merge the clubs was an easy one although it didn’t seem so at the time – Governor Stirling had a lot more members but limited grounds/accommodation options; whilst Kalamunda had the grounds and building but a depleted membership. Prior to 1998, two clubs existed in seperate locations - one being the Governor Stirling Archery Club which started in 1972 at the Governor High School in Woodbridge / West Midland, and the other being the Kalamunda Archery Club which started in 1977 and moved to the current site in 1979.
In hindsight, the choice to merge the clubs was an easy one although it didn’t seem so at the time – Governor Stirling had a lot more members but limited grounds/accommodation options; whilst Kalamunda had the grounds and building but a depleted membership. Prior to 1998, two clubs existed in seperate locations - one being the Governor Stirling Archery Club which started in 1972 at the Governor High School in Woodbridge / West Midland, and the other being the Kalamunda Archery Club which started in 1977 and moved to the current site in 1979.
Governor Stirling Archers
Back in 1972, choice of sport was introduced to senior students at the Governor Stirling High School – one of those choices was archery. Bill McGauran (then of the Perth Archery Club) was contracted by the school to run the classes and within a very short period of time a club was formed with a few adults and about 20 of the students. Of these inaugural members , Carol Harvey was one of the adults and Bill Nicholson was one of the students. At the time of writing this background story (2025), both are still active within the club.
The Governor Stirling Archers initially shot on school grounds down near the river behind the old boat shed on First Ave Woodbridge, but with the expansion of an adjacent rubbish tip site, it eventually became too small for use. That site is now Woodbridge Riverside Park. The club then moved to new grounds in Fauntelroy Ave, Belmont. At that time there was an old school on site. We built our first clubhouse there - heavy jarrah wood frame / asbestos walls / tile roof – no toilets; no running water; no power..
After a few years, the club was required to relocate to the rear of the property, and the clubhouse was moved some considerable distance being towed by a Holden sedan using pine logs as rollers. Eventually we were again relocated to an adjoining property owned by the airport corporation on a peppercorn rental. That was the last stop before merging with Kalamunda Archery.
The Airport Corporation cancelled the peppercorn lease within a few months of the merger as they needed the land. All of these old locations in Belmont are now built over or are being used as a giant car park for new cars.
Back in 1972, choice of sport was introduced to senior students at the Governor Stirling High School – one of those choices was archery. Bill McGauran (then of the Perth Archery Club) was contracted by the school to run the classes and within a very short period of time a club was formed with a few adults and about 20 of the students. Of these inaugural members , Carol Harvey was one of the adults and Bill Nicholson was one of the students. At the time of writing this background story (2025), both are still active within the club.
The Governor Stirling Archers initially shot on school grounds down near the river behind the old boat shed on First Ave Woodbridge, but with the expansion of an adjacent rubbish tip site, it eventually became too small for use. That site is now Woodbridge Riverside Park. The club then moved to new grounds in Fauntelroy Ave, Belmont. At that time there was an old school on site. We built our first clubhouse there - heavy jarrah wood frame / asbestos walls / tile roof – no toilets; no running water; no power..
After a few years, the club was required to relocate to the rear of the property, and the clubhouse was moved some considerable distance being towed by a Holden sedan using pine logs as rollers. Eventually we were again relocated to an adjoining property owned by the airport corporation on a peppercorn rental. That was the last stop before merging with Kalamunda Archery.
The Airport Corporation cancelled the peppercorn lease within a few months of the merger as they needed the land. All of these old locations in Belmont are now built over or are being used as a giant car park for new cars.
Kalamunda Archery Club
Started in July 1977 by Dr David Keast (et al) at the Midland Caravan Park in Midland Rd. Within a fairly short time, the club moved to Jorgensen Park in Kalamunda, then subsequently relocated to the current club grounds in 1979 at which time Daniel Trout joined the club. Daniel is the longest serving member from the original Kalamunda Archery Club.
The current Equipment Shed was the original clubhouse – with power and a toilet in the back corner (no longer existing). This served the club well until the members built the current clubhouse in 1985. The club was very active in promoting itself within the shire and beyond with regular features appearing in the local newspapers (Daniel still has a very thick file of results; pictures; fundraising etc etc. through until around 1987 which he is happy to show by arrangement)
Other interesting snippets
The club sits in an area which is now classified as an “A-Class Reserve” - which brings particular challenges for erecting any new structures on site. However, the club and clubhouse existed before the area was re-classified as an A-Class Reserve – which means we come under the old building code for the building in its present form – any structural changes (as distinct from repairs) would necessitate compliance with current building codes and fire mitigation requirements; and would require special approvals to ensure environmental factors are addressed.
Until 2014, we used to shoot FIELD in the surrounding bush area and had a full 24 target course laid out. This was used regularly for scheduled shoots on the club calendar plus we had several members that did a roving round most weeks and occasionally 3D. Field rounds are now conducted on the main shooting area.
A rare plant was identified in the surrounding bush (hence the change to A-class reserve status) and in 2014 the Dept of Conservation and Land Management required the shire to enforce the “no shooting” rule for the surrounding bush area. All the known plants have been geo-coordinated and heavy fines apply for damage or removal.
The club sits in an area which is now classified as an “A-Class Reserve” - which brings particular challenges for erecting any new structures on site. However, the club and clubhouse existed before the area was re-classified as an A-Class Reserve – which means we come under the old building code for the building in its present form – any structural changes (as distinct from repairs) would necessitate compliance with current building codes and fire mitigation requirements; and would require special approvals to ensure environmental factors are addressed.
Until 2014, we used to shoot FIELD in the surrounding bush area and had a full 24 target course laid out. This was used regularly for scheduled shoots on the club calendar plus we had several members that did a roving round most weeks and occasionally 3D. Field rounds are now conducted on the main shooting area.
A rare plant was identified in the surrounding bush (hence the change to A-class reserve status) and in 2014 the Dept of Conservation and Land Management required the shire to enforce the “no shooting” rule for the surrounding bush area. All the known plants have been geo-coordinated and heavy fines apply for damage or removal.
