Project Description
Belmont Shooting Complex, Brisbane
Sunday 19th October 2025
Competition Finals and Presentations
Kings Prize Winner – Competition Aggregate – Duncan Muller, Age 20
Video File
Mobile images not displaying? Please disconnect VPN
Many thanks to NRAA President Bruce Scott for the invitation to attend.
My great grandfather George Shaw won the Kings Prize in 1899 and 1900 just prior to Federation.
Attached are some photos from the Museum.
Who would have thought I’d be seeing part of the finals and the presentations due to George’s competitions c. 125 years ago – not to mention meeting everyone, and having a bucket of the best hot chips.
Belmont is a very large complex, retaining its continuity and sense of space for what Brisbane is and has been like for many years.
A financial responsibility underpins the complex, which needs to remain solid as it faces modern challenges to continue its distinct contributions to a healthy and vibrant Australian sporting community, and its ties to the International sports of diverse shooting categories and types, including archery for both men and women of concise dedication. Yet, the character of the people involved is with humility and a strong, genuine sense of community towards all.
Australia has played an historic and ongoing responsible role in the use of firearms which many of the modern public may not be aware of. These competitions drive connections between the military and the public with ongoing technical development and up-to-date use of firearms, in this case focused on sporting achievements by all. This work not only includes rifles of different types and pistols, but ammunition advancements and optical equipment.
It was a world our previous generations grew up with, and one I have had some awareness of due to the retail store passed down from my great grandfather to his son, and then to my father. Our society has had the privilege to diversify its interests and sports, and watch how they evolve. So, within this freedom and capability we should consciously support and include the field of shooting with its competitions and advancements for all involved. This and other fields such as music and the arts are what defines structure for a healthy society and a nation. If these vanish or disintegrate over time, we damage the soul of a nation.
The Belmont shooting complex is the largest of its type in the Southern Hemisphere and will be part of our hosting to the 2032 Olympic Games.
Many activities and responsibilities surround the Belmont complex. This cannot be understated. In the same traditions of my great grand father who won the Kings Prize in 1899 at the age of 24 (and the following year) so too we enjoy seeing the achievements of young sports men and women today who are also winning world class competitions among the best in the world – as seen today on the 19th of October 2025 with two of the prize winners being of age 20 and 21.
Belmont is a good reality check with our past and present, and a good experience.
From the QRA Museum
The 1901 photo was at Toowong. Over the years the clubs have moved around substantially. After Toowong, shooting moved to Enoggera – now the Barracks.
The George Shaw 1921 photo shows G Shaw top left and his son Harold top right. (They were absent that day.)
G Shaw looks quite different by 1921 at age 46 to earlier twenties photos. Harold was in the small bore competitions and competed with his father on fishing competitions.
George had around 100 medals – we have none of them in hand today.
From the QRA Museum
You can see the QRA Governors Cup 1901 in the 2nd photo.
The 8th photo shows the red gunpowder flask from London in the display case.
The honours boards show the 1899 and 1900 wins for George Shaw (Queens/Kings – all the same competitions).
The last two images show how Dad (George Robert Shaw) renamed the store to George Shaw Sports Store, previously George Shaw & Sons, and a “George Shaw Memorial Match” trophy – 1968 to 1978.
copyright 2010-2025 laurence shaw | all rights reserved | contact me for original file sizes or use
Belmont Shooting Complex, Brisbane
Sunday 19th October 2025
Competition Finals and Presentations
Kings Prize Winner – Competition Aggregate – Duncan Muller, Age 20
Video File
Mobile images not displaying? Please disconnect VPN
Many thanks to NRAA President Bruce Scott for the invitation to attend.
My great grandfather George Shaw won the Kings Prize in 1899 and 1900 just prior to Federation.
Attached are some photos from the Museum.
Who would have thought I’d be seeing part of the finals and the presentations due to George’s competitions c. 125 years ago – not to mention meeting everyone, and having a bucket of the best hot chips.
Belmont is a very large complex, retaining its continuity and sense of space for what Brisbane is and has been like for many years.
A financial responsibility underpins the complex, which needs to remain solid as it faces modern challenges to continue its distinct contributions to a healthy and vibrant Australian sporting community, and its ties to the International sports of diverse shooting categories and types, including archery for both men and women of concise dedication. Yet, the character of the people involved is with humility and a strong, genuine sense of community towards all.
Australia has played an historic and ongoing responsible role in the use of firearms which many of the modern public may not be aware of. These competitions drive connections between the military and the public with ongoing technical development and up-to-date use of firearms, in this case focused on sporting achievements by all. This work not only includes rifles of different types and pistols, but ammunition advancements and optical equipment.
It was a world our previous generations grew up with, and one I have had some awareness of due to the retail store passed down from my great grandfather to his son, and then to my father. Our society has had the privilege to diversify its interests and sports, and watch how they evolve. So, within this freedom and capability we should consciously support and include the field of shooting with its competitions and advancements for all involved. This and other fields such as music and the arts are what defines structure for a healthy society and a nation. If these vanish or disintegrate over time, we damage the soul of a nation.
The Belmont shooting complex is the largest of its type in the Southern Hemisphere and will be part of our hosting to the 2032 Olympic Games.
Many activities and responsibilities surround the Belmont complex. This cannot be understated. In the same traditions of my great grand father who won the Kings Prize in 1899 at the age of 24 (and the following year) so too we enjoy seeing the achievements of young sports men and women today who are also winning world class competitions among the best in the world – as seen today on the 19th of October 2025 with two of the prize winners being of age 20 and 21.
Belmont is a good reality check with our past and present, and a good experience.
From the QRA Museum
The 1901 photo was at Toowong. Over the years the clubs have moved around substantially. After Toowong, shooting moved to Enoggera – now the Barracks.
The George Shaw 1921 photo shows G Shaw top left and his son Harold top right. (They were absent that day.)
G Shaw looks quite different by 1921 at age 46 to earlier twenties photos. Harold was in the small bore competitions and competed with his father on fishing competitions.
George had around 100 medals – we have none of them in hand today.
From the QRA Museum
You can see the QRA Governors Cup 1901 in the 2nd photo.
The 8th photo shows the red gunpowder flask from London in the display case.
The honours boards show the 1899 and 1900 wins for George Shaw (Queens/Kings – all the same competitions).
The last two images show how Dad (George Robert Shaw) renamed the store to George Shaw Sports Store, previously George Shaw & Sons, and a “George Shaw Memorial Match” trophy – 1968 to 1978.
copyright 2010-2025 laurence shaw | all rights reserved | contact me for original file sizes or use
