The ANZAC Rifle Range is a rifle range located on the Malabar Headland, Malabar, in the City of Randwick local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It is headquarters to the New South Wales Rifle Association, and hosts the annual NSW Queen's Prize shooting competitions. The range is located on land owned by the Commonwealth of Australia.
Chronology of the ANZAC Rifle Range 1855Recreational shooting begins on the Malabar headland. 1855The new village of Long Bay is notified in the Government Gazette. 1859The Randwick Municipal Council area is created which includes the Malabar suburb and headland. 1860A meeting is held on 5 October 1860 which results in an agreement to form the National Rifle Association of New South Wales (later renamed to the current New South Wales Rifle Association). The first president is appointed on 15 October 1860. Annual Prize Meetings are held on a rifle range at the Randwick Race Course from 1861 to 1866 and thereafter the Paddington Rifle Range. 1866Land is offered for sale and lease on Malabar headland. Maps show planned subdivisions and roadways to service the new farming allotments. 1870s–1880sLong Bay Road (now known as ANZAC Road) is gazetted as a military road by the Government, grants were provided to construct and maintain it. Large amounts were spent on the road and it was possible to travel from Sydney to Botany. When the special subsidy was discontinued the road fell into disrepair and was covered by creeping sand dunes in the Matraville and Maroubra areas. 1876Australia compete in the first "Palma Match" (originally called "The Great Centennial International Long Range Match") held at Creedmore USA. 1879The first official Inter-Colonial "Queen’s Prize" meeting held by the NSW Rifle Association. Each state continues to host an annual Queen's Prize rifle shooting competition to this day. 1882St Albans ship wreck at Malabar. 1883Sydney High School Rifle Club formed. 1886An order is issued to close the Paddington Rifle Range due to the danger to workmen constructing present day Centennial Park but shooting is allowed to continue on Saturday afternoons until May 1890. 1888The National Rifle Association of Australia (NRAA) is formed. 1888Twelve targets are reported to be in operation on the Malabar headland. 1888 The Australian Centennial Prize Meetingis held at the Paddington Rifle Range with competitors from the British Empire. 1890The caretakers cottage was built around 1890 on the Malabar headland. 1891The Randwick Rifle Range is established near Maroubra Junction. 1898Hereward ship wreck at Malabar. 1899Tokapo ship wreck at Malabar. 1900A tramline towards La Perouse began operation in September 1900. A month later the line was extended across paddocks to the rifle range. 1902The NSW Government reserves the eastern half of the Malabar headland for public recreation. 1903Seven trustees from Brand are appointed to manage the rifle range on the Malabar headland. 1905The NSW Government reserves the remainder of the Malabar headland from sale or lease. 1907The first official "Empire Match" is held, this is the premier international rifle shooting competition contested by Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Canada, India, South Africa, West Indies, Rhodesia, Jamaica, Channel islands, Kenya, Guernsey and Bermuda. 1910Sydney High School Cadet Corps use the Malabar range for training. 1910The NSW Government dedicates the Malabar headland for Military Purposes, officially acknowledging the existence of the rifle range. 1914–1918 World War IThe Randwick and Malabar rifle ranges are used to train Australian Infantry Forces for the First World War. 1914The National Rifle Association of NSW provide 15 instructors to the military for duty at the Malabar rifle range. 1916A sewerage outlet is established on the south side of the headland. 1916The National Rifle Association records show that as of 31 December 6486 members of the NSW rifle clubs have enlisted for active service. 1917The National Rifle Association send an additional 150 men to "the front" as reinforcements. 1917A new rifle range is constructed at Liverpool (unofficially known as the ANZAC Rifle Range until 1922) with 110 targets. 1919The rifle range on the Malabar headland is named the Long Bay Rifle Range. 1920sModel aircraft are first recorded to be flown on the Malabar headland. 1920Scots College rifle range reinstated after being pulled down in 1918 and .303 rifles received from Area Officer 1922A formal "Dedication Ceremony" is held at the Liverpool rifle range naming it the "ANZAC Rifle Range" in memory of the 599 Fallen Riflemen of the 1914–1918 World War who were members of NSW rifle clubs. 1922Scots College Rifle Club formed as part of Cadets. ‘It is our intention soon, to pick a school team, with the idea of competing with some of the other schools’ The Scotsman June 1922 1923The Long Bay Rifle Range is used by the NSW Citizens Forces Rifle Association (now known as Military Rifle Clubs Association), the Sydney High School Rifle Club and the National Rifle Association of NSW. 1923Scots College rifle range unavailable due to extension of playing fields, but a new site will be selected so Rifle Club can continue 1923The closure of the Randwick Rifle Range and transfer of the rifle clubs to the ANZAC Rifle Range Liverpool. 1925The Army give notice that the rifle clubs using Long Bay Rifle Range are to be transferred to the ANZAC Rifle Range Liverpool. 1925More rifles are issued to Scot College Rifle Club by the department and due to the efforts of Captain E.A. Walker. Scots enters the GPS Shooting competition 1926Scots College use Long Bay Rifle Range used for practice. ‘B’ Grade Rifle team are GPS Premiers. R. Murchison becomes the first student to receive colours for Rifle Shooting. First time the Scots College Rifle Club is mentioned in the front of ‘The Scotsman’ with the other sports 1929The control of the Malabar headland and Long Bay Rifle Range is transferred to the Commonwealth Government. 1929Scots College start the Inter-House and Old Boys shooting competitions 1930sLocal residents use the Malabar headland as a venue for two-up and other gambling activities. 1931The is shipwrecked near Boora Point on 2 April 1931. 1931Sydney Boys High School win the Anderson Cup and the Buchanan GPS Shield. The team is placed 3rd in the GPS Premiership. Competing against Militia Officers 10 to 20 years his senior, club secretary Jim Sweet won the Champion of Champions event. Club Captain C. Ebsworth won the ANZAC Match. 1933The village of Brand is renamed Malabar on 29 September to distinguish the local village from Long Bay Gaol. 1933Sydney Boys High School Club Captain Arthur Roden Cutler (who later became Governor of New South Wales) wins the Club Championship. 1934Sydney Boys High School Club Secretary J. E. Ryan won the Club Championship and Club Captain Roden Cutler won the GPS Cup. 1938 Australia's 150th Anniversary CelebrationsThe "Empire Match" is held at the Liverpool Range from 5 to 12 February 1938, attended by 1,300 competitors including teams from Great Britain, New Zealand and South Africa. 337,150 rounds fired.
1938Scots College Senior Shooting team equal 1st NRA Shield, 1st Rawson Cup and 2nd Buchanan Shield and the Great Public Schools (GPS)Premiers for the first time (equal with Shore) 1939, 27 NovemberThe Hotchkiss guns were used for the first time at Long Bay rifle range and the result of the shoot was very satisfactory. 1939–1945 World War IIMilitary installations (circa 43 in number) are built on the Malabar headland, notably the Boora Point Battery in 1941. The Long Bay Rifle Range is used for training of the Armed Forces. 1939Scots College win Rawson Cup, NRA Shield Great Public Schools (GPS) Premiers with Shore for the second time 1940. Rifle shooting had to be abandoned owing to lack of ammunition, Mr. Travers replaces Major Walker as MIC of shooting when the GPS competition is abandoned, Scots changed from club shooting to military shooting 1941Trials of the 9mm Owen gun are conducted September to October 1941 at the Long Bay Rifle Range, Malabar. The Owen Gun is found to be more reliable than the American Thompson and the British Sten guns. The Owen Gun is issued to Australian Armed Forces towards the end of 1942 and continued in service during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. 1942–1946Many thousands from the Australian rifle clubs enlist in the Australian Military Services. The figure is believed to be between 33000 and 38000. 1942The British lose 303 rifles at Dunkirk. The Australian Rifle Clubs and Cadet Corps supply their 303 rifles for use by the British Troops. 1942Sydney Boys High School former Club Captain A. R. Cutler is awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous gallantry during the Syrian campaign and for bravery during bitter fighting at Merdjayoun. 1946Great Public Schools (GPS)Rifle Shooting contest held at Long Bay Rifle range for the first time since 1939 1947Scots College win Rawson Cup and are placed third overall in Great Public Schools (GPS) competition 1951The Cumberland County Plan zones the Malabar headland as 'special uses'. 1954The Memorial Gates at the entrance to ANZAC Rifle Range Liverpool are constructed and dedicated on 10 October as a "Memorial to Fallen Riflemen" of the two World Wars and the Korea Campaign. 1960The Boora Point Battery is decommissioned. 1960142.5 hectares of the Randwick Rifle Range are sold to Randwick Council. 1962The Army give notice that the ANZAC Rifle Range at Liverpool would close December 1967. Planning commenced to transfer the rifle clubs to Long Bay Rifle Range at Malabar. 1964Scots College win Buchanan Shield and third overall in the Great Public Schools (GPS) competition 1967Closure of the ANZAC Rifle Range, Liverpool after 47 years. The rifle clubs transfer to the Long Bay Rifle Range. 1968Scots College are unable to field two teams of 8, so Scots do not enter the Great Public Schools (GPS) competition this year. Awarded Anderson Cup in Military Rifle Clubs Union Competition as top Schoolboy team 1968–1988The Malabar headland and rifle range site is used for extensive landfill operations. 1968Shooting championships at the Long Bay Rifle Range attract 353 entries. 1969Scots College team 2nd overall in the Military Rifle Clubs Union competition winning the Anderson Cup, Lone Pine and Col. McVickers Cup. After a 10-year break the Inter-House Shooting contest was again held 1970The Long Bay Rifle Range Malabar is renamed, quote "It has been decided, that the name "ANZAC" should be perpetuated and that its close association with rifle club shooting should be preserved, and it is proposed that, with effect from 25 April 1970, the Long Bay Rifle Range at Malabar be renamed ANZAC Rifle Range. M.F.Brogan, C.B., C.B.E. Major-General, General Officer Commanding, Eastern Command." 1971Scots College win Rawson Cup and win Seconds Team Shield 1972A lease agreement between the Australian Army and the NSW Rifle Association describe the terms of use and termination conditions for the ANZAC Rifle Range at Malabar. 1973Scots College win NRA Shield for the first time since 1939 1975The Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (SSAA) first use the ANZAC Rifle Range Malabar after reaching an agreement with the Army. 1978The Memorial Gates commemorating those who served during the World Wars and the Korea Campaign are moved from Liverpool to the Malabar range. 1979Scots College win Rawson Cup 1980Scots College win Buchanan Shield and the Great Public Schools (GPS) Premiership 1981Scots College win Rawson Cup, Buchanan Shield and Great Public Schools (GPS) Premiership 1982Scots College win NRA Shield and come 2nd overall in the Great Public Schools (GPS) competition 1982The Sydney Model Aero Club share use of the Malabar headland. 1983Scots College win Rawson Cup, NRA Shield, Buchanan Shield and both 1st and 2nds in the Great Public Schools (GPS) Premiership for the first time