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FORTY-EIGHT shooters helped Wangaratta Clay Target Club celebrate its reopening after a year’s forced closure owing to lead contamination issues. Club vice-president Brian Reid said visitors from as far away as Warrnambool and Melbourne supported Saturday’s Down the Line competition. “They’ve all taken an active interest,” he said. “They’re mindful of what could happen to their club as well, so they’re learning to a degree from how we’ve handled it.” The Environment Protection Authority Victoria closed North Wangaratta Recreation Reserve last May after lead was detected in soil samples, affecting the gun club and North Wangaratta Football and Netball Club. Mr Reid said he was heartened politicians like Senator Jane Hume and Daniel Young attended the reopening, with Premier Daniel Andrews also acknowledging the occasion. “It shows that they’re interested in this sport and want it to continue,” Mr Reid said. “And the letter from the Premier, that was pretty special. “The whole day was terrific, it went off without a hitch.” EPA North East manager Ben Kneebone said the clay target club needed to provide a clean-up plan for the oval by June 30 and by August 31 for the rest of the reserve. Mr Kneebone said the results of groundwater sampling were due in May.

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