ADA SOUTH EAST BRANCH CELEBRATES 50 YEARS

Master of Ceremonies for the night was current Branch President Lachlan Holmes, who introduced guest speakers starting with George MacKenzie who gave an entertaining overview of the formative years of the Branch. Patrick Ross spoke on behalf of the Life Member group and passed on messages from several fellow honourees who could not be present. Young member Alexis Halman spoke passionately of what the branch means to her, while long-term members Michaela Shirley and Olivia Ward shared their experiences growing up and hunting as a family within the branch, and their own journey as hunters.

Members enjoyed a fantastic three-course menu, with Branch memorabilia and historical photos in the background from five decades of history, and many funny stories shared or re-told. A great selection of mounted heads were on display, including many of the highest-scoring fallow bucks taken in the branch over the decades. Later in the evening, live music kept the crowd entertained, along with the drawing of a monster raffle with several thousand dollars in prizes, which in turn raised thousands for the ongoing running of the branch. The annual awards were presented, including best-in-species medals, President’s Trophy for the highest-scoring fallow buck taken within our management areas, and the Fraser McLay Trophy for the best fallow buck taken nationally, presented by McLay family descendant and award custodian George MacKenzie to recipient David Fenton, who told the story behind taking his magnificent buck.

There’s no doubt the South East Branch has been one of the foremost chapters within the ADA, their work over the years in managing the historical South East fallow deer herd, and their branch hunting program, has long been a benchmark to follow. Working in unison with dozens of landowners, striking the balance between controlling deer numbers while providing a quality hunting experience to families who enjoy the outdoors and providing their own food; right through to becoming landowners ourselves.

Unfortunately, South Australia’s wild deer are currently facing their toughest times since the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires ravaged the district. With deer being the ‘feral pest’ flavour of the month amongst invasive species groups and bodies who make their living from pest destruction, the South Australian Government’s taxpayer-funded aerial culling program has been in full force over the past few years, including the recently added use of thermal imaging and shotguns. Based on questionable data, self-serving studies, and dubious social-media advertising comparing the spread of deer to rabbits, it has been an ongoing battle for the South East Branch to service its membership and keep moving forward with deer in mind.

However, looking around the room on this evening, seeing a packed room of hunters from all walks of life; men, women and youth, all drawn together in our common love for the outdoors and a lifestyle centred around the pursuit of our beautiful deer, there was a positivity that was heartening to witness. The deer will prevail, as they have done for all of time; as will the hunters who have relied upon them for just as long. Long live the South East Branch; here’s to the next 50 years!

Thanks to Daryl Panther and Richard Barker for supplying the photos for this article.

SE BRANCH AWARDS 2024

Best in Species

Fallow - Sid Wight 235 1/2

Red - Darryl Adams 260

Sambar - Peter Cotton 193 7/8

Chital - Darryl Adams 176 3/8

Rusa - Tim Langeluddecke 197 7/8

Hog Deer - Tim Newton 95 4/8

First Head Award

Jamie Milosevic - Rubar 163 1/4

Digby Wight - Fallow - 207 7/8

President’s Trophy

Sam Schoenfisch - Fallow - 239 1/8

Gamekeepers Award

Andrew Kirby 171 1/8 (Total Score 17.1)

BFU Award

Kieran Lozer

Photography

Deer related photo in South East SA

Justin Meek (Ryder carrying a dead head)

Best Wild Deer Print

Daryl Panther (red deer)

Hunter with Trophy

Sam Schoenfisch (Red deer with Sam and Duane)

Trail Camera

Adrian Childs (Sambar in wallow)