A LITTLE HISTORY OF THE bowmen of melville

Bowmen of Melville is an archery club located in Leeming, Western Australia, founded in 1965 and commenced on the current grounds in 1970, under management of the City of Melville Health Department. BoM moved to the Air Force Association grounds in Bull Creek when the Rubbish Tip commenced operation on John Connell Reserve and returned to the current grounds after cessation of Rubbish Tip
operations in the early 1980’s.

When the club was founded in 1965 it was known as Fremantle Y Bowmen. At the time it was located in Fremantle, Western Australia.

The club’s facilities include a 45-metre (148 ft) awning, providing protection from rain, wind and sun, with enough space for fourteen targets and over 60 archers to shoot undercover concurrently.

In recent years Bowmen of Melville has been one of the biggest archery clubs in Western Australia. Its membership was in excess of 180 members in 2020.

Members have regular club shoots at the grounds. The club shoots are regularly target events, however the disciplines of field, clout and 3D are also shot.

Beginners are also able to shoot at the club, and beginner lessons are held regularly.

Three Australian Olympians, Scott Hunter-Russel, Joanne Galbraith and Taylor Worth, all shot at Bowmen of Melville.

Archery WA life members include Keith & Edna Gaisford (BoM
founders), Chris Mulconray and Gail Gibson (both current BoM members).

BoM has produced numerous elite-level archers who have participated in national and international archery tournaments, including the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Archery World Cup events, World Masters Games, Australian National Championships, Australian Masters Games, (in both able-bodied and para-archery).

Some notable past and current members (among many others) include the following (it is noteworthy that over 70 current and past BoM members hold State records):