ON TARGET: St George's Nicky Robertson competed in the Australian Clay Target Association nationals in Roma last week.

ON TARGET: St George's Nicky Robertson competed in the Australian Clay Target Association nationals in Roma last week. Ellen Ransley

Shooting: A mother of three, St George's Nicky Robertson finds a way to do what she loves, which includes bringing her children to watch as she achieves near-perfect scores at national events.

Coming in at second place in the ladies, and third place in A-grade for 50t National Points/ ANZ Trap Championship, Robertson, who has only been shooting for three years, said she felt content with her first nationals.

Part of the team that brought the clay target club to St George, Robertson competed in the 50 target double barrel, 50 target single barrel, as well as the state shoot events at last week's Australian Clay Target Association's national event in Roma.

"I've never been to nationals before because it's usually in Wagga Wagga, which is too far to travel with three kids,” she said.

"But it's pretty cool to be able to shoot in the nationals.

"Apart from my individual events we had the state teams event... we came fourth in the ladies, and the junior team came second.

"That was pretty exciting because it was my first time shooting for Queensland.”

Shooting is a full family affair for the Robertson, with her two boys, Cooper and William, watching on as she scored her 149/150 in the single barrel event.

"I find these events are really family friendly, there's a real sense of community and there are a lot of families who travel to these events,” she said.

"Everyone is helpful, and pitch in to help out with each other's kids.

"My three will get in to shooting. They already have little vests they usually wear around and little shot guns like to play with.

"We haven't got any for the 16-month-old yet, but we'll get her kitted out.”

Robertson said she had no idea how much was entailed in the sport when she and her husband first decided to pick up the gun.

"The trick is concentration. And sleep,” she said.

"It's a funny sport. There's a lot in it, from where you put your feet, to your hand and your head placement.

"From afar you think you just pick the gun up and shoot, but it's all about where you aim, and where you've got your eyes.

"There's a lot more to it than what we realised when we started shooting.”

Son William told the Balonne Beacon he loved to watch his mother compete, and was proud of her.

Robertson said she was looking forward to piling her family into the caravan to head up to the Gemfields for the state titles in May.

"We have friends from shooting with families from Dalby and Goondiwindi.”