Sunday, 3 May – the State Archery Centre was officially opened by Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia on the morning prior to the first tournament to be held at the facility; the 2026 ARCHERY SA Max Manuel Memorial WA Star Tournament.
The opening was also attended by the Hon Rhiannon Pearce MP, Minister for Recreation, Sport & Racing and Member for King, Lawrence Ben MP Member for Enfield, and Tony Zappia MP, the Federal Member for Makin. The Minister was also representing the Premier of SA, who was unable to attend.
Other invited guests included:
- the youngest archer in SA, Jude Khabazz (TVA)
- the oldest member in SA, Reg Carpenter (TFIAC)
- Life Members of ARCHERY SA
- Former (& longstanding) members
- Board Members of ARCHERY SA
- Presidents of affiliated Clubs
- President & Secretary, Cressy Archers
- ARCHERY SA Grounds Committee members
- Brett Julian Architect
WGCDR Peter Knox, Secretary of ARCHERY SA was the MC.
The Governor was welcomed on arrival by Bruce Lang OAM (President of ARCHERY SA) and introduced to Gretel Dabovich OAM (representing the members and Life Members of ARCHERY SA), Mr Zappia, Mr Ben and Minister Pearce.
Following the Vice-Regal Salute, a Welcome to Country was shared by Robbie Young, Ngarrindjeri, Narungga and Kaurna man who indicated how sport can bring people together, engendering respect for the land on which we work and play, and each other.
Her Excellency was extremely complimentary about ARCHERY SA and what has been achieved so far:
“I am pleased to be here at the Gepps Cross Sporting Precinct to launch the State Archery Centre, the new permanent home of ARCHERY SA.
As Governor, and as Patron of ARCHERY SA, I am delighted to take part in celebrating a significant milestone for archery in our state.
In 2023 I had the pleasure of opening the Oceania Cup in Ashton, where I was impressed by the skill and precision on display, as well as archery’s capacity to engage people across a wide range of ages.
Indeed, archery is a sport defined not by speed or youth, but by technique, focus and dedication – qualities that serve participants well at every stage of life.
I am pleased to note that ARCHERY SA’s search for a permanent home has, at last, come to an end.
After a period of moving every few years – from St Ignatius College, to Mylor Oval, and most recently Oakbank Racecourse – I’m delighted you have now settled here at Gepps Cross, where you can share knowledge and friendships with participants across a range of sports.
Just as archers will ‘find their anchor’ when setting up their shot, this new Centre is a strong anchor for your organisation’s volunteers – freeing up your time and energy for planning facility expansions, running competitions, and of course, taking part in the sport you love.
No doubt you are pleased to farewell the two shipping containers which stored your materials in Oakbank.
I understand they served you well, but that moving around the large targets on wheels could be a challenge!
I note the new facilities we see today: a meeting room area, amenities, a kitchenette, a dedicated storage shed, and the grounds themselves, dressed for tournament competition.
And there is more to come, with further works to complete the grounds as well as a Stage 2 development to extend the verandah, build a covered shelter along the shooting line, and other potential additions.
I acknowledge the Government of South Australia for funding the development we celebrate today, and the Federal Government for its grant towards Stage 2.
Friends, ARCHERY SA, like so many of the community sporting organisations that enrich South Australian life, is run entirely by volunteers.
I am grateful to the ARCHERY SA Board, Life Members, and every volunteer who has worked, over several years, to bring this new State Archery Centre to fruition.
It’s been a considerable endeavour. The hours of planning, advocacy and organisation devoted to this project represent an exceptional contribution to your sport and to the wider community.
I also thank volunteers from Adelaide Archery Club for organising today’s competition, the Max Manuel Memorial WA Star Tournament – a long-standing event on the South Australian archery calendar.
I wish all of our competitors a rewarding and enjoyable competition.
While archers here today are mostly Adelaide-based, given the price of fuel at present, I am pleased that archery is alive and well in a number of towns across South Australia
Congratulations, ARCHERY SA, on your new premises. It is now my great pleasure to declare the facility open.”
Her Excellency then unveiled a plaque to commemorate the opening.
Minister Pearce was then invited to shoot the first arrow (a whistling flu-flu) under the guidance of Paul Hawes (Archery Australia’s Participation Lead for SA). Following that success, young compound archer Jude Khabazz, under the tutelage of Reg Carpenter, shot the first arrow into a target.
It was then time for the archers to be called to commence the tournament at 10.00 am.
The guests were able to view some of the shooting and invited to morning tea in the meeting room.
It was a ceremony befitting the significance of the event, and this facility can only help archery to continue to thrive.
Photos & videos of the event can be found on the ARCHERY SA SmugMug gallery at archerysa.smugmug.com
There is still much work to do including finalising arrangements with Cressy Archers so it can move here from its (to be redeveloped) venue at Salisbury South.
Archers and all other present were asked to sign an indoor target face to commemorate the day.
Having a variety of activities at the State Archery Centre, including Cressy Archers, State & National development squads, team training, para-archery, school events, corporate events and various meetings will ensure the use of the site is flexible and accommodating for ALL.
