Greetings collectors, shooters, firearm owners,

Presidents Dispatch

 I would like to thank the members of the Ballarat Arms and Militaria Collectors Society for attending the Ballarat Ranger Military Museum the other night to witness the exchange of the Lieutenant-Colonel J.T.Sleep VVL&ES Medal.

As many of you will know that the Society purchased the medal on behalf of the Ranger Museum back in 2001. The Museum’s purchase of the medal finally came to fruition due to the raising of the required $2500. The medal now has a permanent home in Ballarat and I believe it has finally achieved its place in history for all residents to view and appreciate.

Just how much other historically relevant memorabilia is still out there in the community? How much of it is slowly rotting away in land-fill due to being discarded from the estate of deceased relatives? I work in the industry and I find it totally amazing that some people regard many things as having little or no monetary value when indeed they are worth quite big dollars. I also find that many people throw out the good stuff and believe some quite worthless items are worth a fortune. They express great disbelief when the treasure they have is deemed to be next to worthless.

I personally will be embarking on a great venture this weekend to begin cataloguing my personal collection and to leave a documented portfolio of my items, just in case I should ever be run over by a bus or meet a similar sort of premature ghastly demise. The concept is quite easy… photograph of item, current market value and last known display location all collated into a folder or computer database should be totally sufficient.

Obviously, you don’t need to go into minute details but anything worth more than $50 should be documented. However don’t forget to update your records from time to time, especially if you have sold an item. All of you should do the same. Sooner rather than later.

The Victorian Government, through Victoria Police, has recently conducted another “Firearm and Weapons amnesty”. The news reports show numerous articles having been handed in but what does disturb me is that a local radio report mentioned “In Ballarat, ‘x’ number of firearms, ‘x’ quantity of ammunition, some detonators and 4 Bayonets had been handed in”. Why were 4 bayonets handed in when they need not have been handed in? They are controlled weapons not illegal weapons. Could the donors not have been informed of their rights and allowed to seek payment for their goods? There are at least two full time dealers in Ballarat that could have offered cash remuneration for those bayonets. Now these pieces of history will be lost forever. I really believe that the greater majority of the members of public will sometimes believe anything that they are spoon fed.

This society is dedicated to informing our membership about the issues that affect us as lawful firearm owners and users. If you are ever in doubt about any aspect of the firearms laws and regulations please do not hesitate to contact us (email) broemmer@netconnect.com.au or BAAMCS@vic.chariot.net.au or, just pick up the phone if you have a copy of "Fusillade", which if you are a member, you will have

The economic slowdown in the USA and our inevitable follow-on has played havoc with the AU$ exchange rate. Where we were recently getting almost AU$ for US$ exchange, now we are back in the mid A60cent range it has made all goods being imported into Australia much dearer.

Just be very careful when making international purchases (check the rate changes) and most importantly the extra money for postage, which can be a real killer. Canada, for one country, has a much higher postage rate to Australia than the USA. Check out your facts and do your sums before clicking the button to purchase.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support of this society and wish you and your families the best for the coming festive Season and New Year. If you are travelling, drive safely. Also remember, think safety first when using firearms. Enjoy.

Yours in collecting,

Mark Broemmer