Wodonga-Albury Field & Game is putting the finishing touches on preparations for the 2026 Field & Game Australia National Carnival, welcoming competitors, families and visitors from across the country from 30 October to 1 November.

FGA CEO Turlough Guerin and Senior Membership & Branch Support Officer Wayne Peters visited the grounds this week to meet with the local organising committee, discuss preparations and see firsthand, the huge amount of work underway to bring the National Carnival together.

This will be the sixth National Carnival hosted by Wodonga over approximately 24 years, reflecting the considerable experience and commitment of the branch.

The visit included a tour of the shooting grounds and layouts, camping and parking areas, and facilities for competitors and exhibitors ahead of the weekend's events. One of the most encouraging aspects of the visit was the positive feedback from the branch about the planning and communication between Wodonga and National Office.

The Committee described the preparations for this year's Carnival as the best organised and communicated of the six they have hosted, particularly acknowledging the practical assistance provided by Operations Lead Anne-Marie Blewett, Wayne Peters and the entire National Office team.

The volunteers who make it possible

Several members of Wodonga's organising team have contributed to the club for more than 20 years. Their experience has been invaluable, but our discussions also highlighted the importance of encouraging younger members to become involved.

Participation in shooting remains strong and growing, but we cannot take for granted the volunteers who make our competitions possible.

National Office is working to make hosting major events easier through improved planning, practical support and sharing experience between branches. Wodonga's preparations provide a valuable example as we begin planning future National Carnivals.

Clubs that bring communities together

Our conversations at Wodonga also reinforced the important contribution Field & Game branches make beyond competitive shooting.

Our clubs bring together people of different ages, backgrounds and interests. They provide opportunities for friendship, volunteering, mentoring and community participation. For some long-serving members, particularly those who no longer shoot regularly, their club remains an important place to maintain friendships and stay connected.

We also discussed the value of school shooting competitions and the importance of strong relationships between branches, schools and teachers in introducing younger people to the sport.

These contributions complement FGA's work in responsible hunting, clay target shooting and wetland conservation. Together, they demonstrate the broader value our members and branches bring to regional communities.

Engaging with local representatives

During the visit, we also met with Steve Martin, the Liberal candidate for Benambra, the electorate covering Wodonga. The discussion provided an opportunity to share the contribution of Field & Game Australia to competitive shooting, volunteering and regional communities, and the importance of supporting sporting clubs and their facilities.

This engagement forms part of FGA's ongoing discussions with MPs and candidates from across the political spectrum ahead of the Victorian election. Our objective is to build constructive relationships and ensure decision-makers understand the contribution of responsible hunting, shooting sports and conservation to Victoria.

Looking ahead

With the Carnival approaching, our immediate priority is supporting Wodonga to deliver another successful national event.

We’re also working with branches to explore future National Carnivals and how National Office can support them to deliver successful events that benefit both the host branch and the wider Field & Game community.

Thank you to Simon Hore, Ed Zawora, Damien Porter and the Wodonga Field & Game committee and volunteer team for their hospitality, commitment and many hours of preparation.

We look forward to seeing everyone at Wodonga this weekend.

Turlough Guerin
Chief Executive Officer
Field & Game Australia