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No.
28 Squadron’s Corporal Adrian Da Pozzo hones his skills
at RAAF Base Fairbairn as Commanding Officer Squadron Leader
Jim Kearney looks on. CPL Da Pozzo credits some of his recent
success to the support he’s received from SQNLDR Kearney.
Photo by SGT Nerine Eaton.
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AN
Air Force archer who took a 15-year hiatus from the sport has
his sights set on the coming Australian Indoor Championships and
Australian National Championships.
No. 28 Squadron’s Corporal Adrian Da Pozzo originally started
shooting as a teenager in the mid-1970s, but took a break a decade
later when work and family commitments grew.
He only picked up a bow again in January this year and has already
improved enough to be invited to compete at local and state level.
CPL Da Pozzo took up archery aged 15 in Canberra in 1974.
In 1975, he won his first local Club Championship, the Presidents
Cup, and then travelled to Adelaide to compete in his first national
championships, representing the Canberra Archery Club.
Da Pozzo went on to win the Australian Open Flight Championship.
After marrying and starting a family, Da Pozzo joined the Air
Force in 1986 and moved from Canberra. Due to family commitments
and postings around Australia he was unable to shoot for some
years.
Da Pozzo was posted back to Canberra in 1997, and often drove
past the Canberra Archery Club wondering if there was anyone that
he would recognise after so many years.
He eventually ventured to the club at Southwell Park and met up
with a few people he had shot with 20 years ago.
In January Da Pozzo was encouraged by his wife Donna and work
mates to start shooting again.
He improved enough to be invited to participate in the State Indoor
Championship in Canberra in July.
He finished runner-up to a competitor from the Australian Institute
of Sport.
In August he was invited to shoot at the Tuggeranong Valley Championship
in Canberra, an event he won.
Da Pozzo believes his shooting has improved due to the support
of his Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader Jim Kearney, who has
allowed him to practice within a secure area of a Squadron facility.
He is now aiming for the next Australian Indoors in Adelaide and
the Australian National Championship in Brisbane if all goes well.
