JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

In July this year, Ryan Booth (17) attended a 10-day trip to Changwon, South Korea to participate in the 2023 Shooting Junior World Championship, representing New Zealand (NZ) in the 50m Mens Prone Target Shooting event. Ryan was one of two under-21-year-old juniors representing NZ, with Shania Harrison-Lee also competing. Ryan and Shania were among over 500 competitors over a range of different shooting disciplines, such as shotgun and indoor air rifle events. This was Ryan’s first time travelling overseas to represent NZ on the world stage and was an opportunity to study other competitors and their equipment and compete against the world’s best under high pressure conditions.

The local 50m shooting range at McLeans Island, one of the largest outdoor shooting ranges in NZ, was built for the 1974 Commonwealth Games and currently has a 30mound capacity, which means the range can have up to 30 people shooting at a time. In South Korea, Ryan was shooting on an 80-mound range, located on top of a 3-storey building. This introduced some interesting conditions, such as swirling winds to take into account.

One of the biggest challenges with shooting in South Korea was the heat and high humidity. During the ten days there, the temperature averaged around 28 degrees, with a humidity above 80%.

After training in cold winter conditions leading up to the competition, wearing thick shooting jackets meant the body quickly got very hot. At the end of the challenging match, Ryan was placed 40th with a score of 602.6, which was close to the expected score considering the conditions. The winning score of 625.0 for the match was exceptional.

Ryan returned with some new equipment and plenty of new ideas and advice to continue improving his skills and scores. Being able to compete at such a prestigious event was a privilege and provided an invaluable experience to fuel his desire to improve. His sights are now set on the Oceania event held in Brisbane in November.

Ryan says he enjoyed his time in South Korea. “It wouldn’t have been possible without all the support I got from you all, including my number one supporters - my parents John and Rhonda Booth.” He also thanks Malvern Lions and Sport Canterbury for their help with funding the trip, and the support and donations from local clubs, friends and ‘local shooting family’.

LATE DOG REGISTRATION If you haven’t got your favourite pooch’s registration completed yet, the Council is encouraging you to get it done as soon as possible to avoid infringements. All dogs aged three months and over in the district must be registered with the Council every year, with the annual dog registration month taking place in July. Those who paid before 1 August were eligible for a discounted fee of $45, but anyone who didn’t register on time must now pay the regular $60 fee for their dog.

NATIONAL GARDENING WEEK runs for the week of October 16-23 this year and aims to foster a love of gardening with a focus on growing not only plants but friendships, good health, strong communi es, and closer connec ons with nature. Whether it’s a few pots on the balcony, a small patch or an extensive garden, everyone can experience the joy of gardening.

SNIP’N’CHIP SPCA New Zealand is offering free desexing and microchipping to those who are struggling to get their cat desexed and microchipped. A limited number of vouchers are available, visit www.desexing.spca.nz to find out if you or someone you know is eligible.

A Belgian Beau For Basuki

Orana Wildlife Park is excited to announce that a 9-year-old male siamang gibbon called Suka has arrived from Pairi Daiza Zoo in Belgium. After Suka completed quarantine, she was introduced to 10-year -old female, Basuki, who was very excited to be with her Belgian beau!

When Suka transferred to Aotearoa, it was a joint recommendation from species co-ordinators at both the Zoo Aquarium Association Australasia and the European Association of Zoos. Both siamangs Suka and Basuki have a very similar playful nature and ever since they were introduced, they always spend a lot of time together. Siamangs have a feature that is quite distinguishing, it is a large throat sac that they use to make socially important vocalisations or songs. Suka and Basuki have been singing together.

The zoo team is hopeful that in the future they will produce baby siamangs. Basuki was the last siamang born at Orana Park in 2013.