2014 Trophy Takers Annual Awards

October 2014 saw the Trophy Takers crew descend upon the quaint little Victorian town of Dartmouth to celebrate another colossal year for the club. The annual awards weekend has become a tradition of legend over the years, providing an opportunity for fellow members to catch up and enjoy the local hunting and fishing opportunities on offer. The location this time round provided the ultimate backdrop for these goings-on, and the yarn-telling, Sambar stalking and trout trolling action was non-stop throughout the long weekend.

The local Albury-Wodonga members had done an incredible job of coordinating everything for the long weekend campout. The usual characters had set up camp during the week before the weekend, making the most of the surrounding prime Sambar country and trout fishing in the nearby Dartmouth Dam. Owner of the legendary Dartmouth Pub John Scales had generously allowed us to set up our formidable trophy display in a function room adjoining the pub, which soon started to attract a lot of attention from both the visiting bowhunting cohort and the general public.

Right next door on the Saturday night a lively wedding was happening, it was great to see so many of the guests checking out our display and interacting with our crew. The interest in our trophy display, the fact that visitors passing through were quick to pay us a compliment, and the very accepting attitude of the wedding guests was seen as a great feather in the cap for Trophy Takers and our representation of the club and bowhunting in general. The wedding party even had some photos taken in front of our display!

The traditional presentation night was held on the Saturday evening and was well-attended, with plenty of faces old and new present to witness the recognition of a swag of incredible trophy bowhunting achievements from the 2014 season. The full list of 2014 award recipients is listed below.

Of particularly special significance was the awarding of Life Membership to two living legends whom have shown a long and unwavering commitment to Trophy Takers and Australian bowhunting generally – Dave Whiting and Ian Fenton. This was a first for the club during its 29 year history. What these two men have contributed to our beloved pastime and the club itself over many years is simply immeasurable. They have both stood as pillars in the foundations of a now vibrant and strong club, the future of which is looking very bright and the legacy of which will continue for a very long time to come. It was a true honour for those present to witness the recognition and celebration of such fine people and their accomplishments.

The following spread of photographs captures the highlights in terms of bowhunting achievements of the year, as well as sharing some special moments enjoyed over the weekend event.

Plans are in motion for the 2015 Awards, stay tuned to Arrowhead Magazine and the Trophy Takers website (www.trophytakers.org) for updates. We hope to see you there in 2015!

2014 Award Winners:

Boar – Esben Madsen - (31 DS)

Goat – Paul Southwell - (121 2/8 DS)

Red Deer – Liam Woods - (292 3/8 DS)

Fallow Deer – Mark Curtis - (243 5/8 DS)

Rusa Deer - Mark Wills - (197 1/8 DS)

Chital Deer – Paul Southwell - (174 DS)

Sambar Deer - Michael Jensz - (215 1/8 DS) New No. 1

Hog Deer - Ben Salleras - (101 2/8 DS) New No. 1

Fox – Esben Madsen and Steven Holgate - (10 10/16 DS)

Buffalo – Randall Sullings - (92 4/8 DS)

Camel - Paul Southwell – (30 3/16 DS)

Banteng - Ben Chambers – (70 6/8 DS) New No. 1

Cat - Jack Spinks - (8 4/16 DS) New No. 1

Ian Fenton Traditional Award - Shared by -
Jack Spinks - Feral Cat 8 4/16 DS & Billy 113 6/8 DS
and
Dave Roughton – Fallow - 213 6/8 DS

Bill Hill Boar Award - Esben Madsen - 31 DS

Mike Hogno Goat Award - Paul Southwell - 121 2/8 DS

Pedro Lever Memorial Buffalo Award - Randall Sullings - 92 4/8 DS

Dave Whiting Small Game Award –
Steven Holgate (7 foxes a cat and a rabbit in 1 hunt!)

Chairman’s Award – Shared by -
Randal Sullings – 5 Buffalo from 92 4/8 DS down to 77 6/8 DS plus a cat and fox rating, and Sean Walsh – Boar 30 2/8 DS plus fallow, fox and billy ratings.

Bill Baker Memorial Award - Best Overall Deer - Shared by:
Ben Salleras – Hog Deer 101 2/8 DS
and
Michael Jensz – Sambar 215 1/8 DS

Dallas Conway and Kev Whiting Memorial Trophy - Shared by -
Adam Greentree - Banteng - 68 DS
Ben Chambers – Banteng - 70 6/8 DS
Ben Salleras – Hog Deer - 101 2/8 DS
Michael Jensz – Sambar Deer - 215 1/8 DS

Paul Wheller Memorial Junior Bowhunter Award -
Liam Woods – Red Deer - 292 3/8 DS

Small Game Award -
Shane Dupille – Fox 10 4/16 DS, Cat 7 13/16 DS, Cat 7 9/16 DS.

Danny "where am I" McMahon Legend Award –
Rod Collings – For impersonating a screaming sloth while suffering from croc phobia!!!

Taxidermy and Photo Competitions:

Best Framed Hunting Picture:
“Where the F are ya?!” - Shannon James

Best Unframed Hunting Picture:
“Worms……what are they?!” - James Warne

Best Framed Hunter & Game:
“Mum, look what I got!” – Dave Sarroff

Best Unframed Hunter & Game:
“Moluccan Rusa – Not extinct after all” – John Fell

Best Nature Photo:
“Homeward bound” – Steve Dimitrakelis

Best Composite of Photos
“Can I keep him?” – Jarrod Vyner

Best Trophy Mount :
“Light menial fallow buck” – Trevor Willis

Highly Commended Head Mount:
“Shaggy goat – Trevor Willis

TT awards pictures below.