Max passed away on 27 August following a fire in his Rosebud, home (Victoria).

Born in Lake Grace W.A. he started his shooting there on the family farm, and at the age of 14 progressed to .303’s at Lake Grace Rifle Club, coached by his father - who was himself an excellent shot. It was on the farm that he commenced his extensive collection of bird’s eggs, developed a great interest in flora and fauna, handled explosives and learnt basic mechanics. In later life he became very proficient at photography, calligraphy, welding, spray painting, furniture making, house building, pistol shooting, plant growing, television repair, television antenna manufacture and car repairs. As well Max was an accomplished musician, playing the piano accordion and forming his own band.

At 18 years of age Max developed a 22 calibre machine gun with a 30 shot magazine. The army were very interested in his creation and invited him to Perth to demonstrate it. WWII intervened and Max joined the RAAF training in Australia and Canada. Posted to England, he flew Halifax, Sterling and Lancaster bombers with more than 50 missions over enemy territory. Several of his planes came home in a sorry state but he said that a charmed life saw him lose only one tail gunner.

After discharge he married the girl he fell for in London, Pat, and worked for GMH in Perth. Max returned to the air, flying freighters for MMA. As part of his flying with MMA he worked under contract to the Royal Flying Doctor Service throughout W.A. and N.T. He continued his shooting at Swanbourne, W.A. and told stories of flying interstate with his rifle in the cockpit floor at his feet, to shoot in the P.M.'s when off duty (try that now!)
In 1951 he moved to Melbourne to fly for TAA. He flew a series of different aircraft from DC3s to 727 jets, finally retiring over 30 years later in 1982 with the rank of senior pilot and Master Air Pilot.

Max was a member of several rifle clubs during his life, holding numerous positions. In Melbourne he joined the Ringwood Rifle Club, at Jumping Creek Road Warrandyte. He introduced two of his sons to shooting during that time and was a regular committee member. When that range was sold to developers, the club moved to Christmas Hills, and he helped rebuild the club facilities. He shot there for several years until the government acquired that site for the Sugarloaf dam, forcing the club to uproot and move to the Upper Yarra site. After several years Max finally retired from TAA and moved to Rye, then Rosebud where he joined the Lang Lang club. He was awarded life membership at Lang Lang Rifle Club for his years of service as treasurer, club stalwart and target master.

In the late 70's Max was a VRA council member and a founding member of the Veterans Association in 1987, holding the treasurer and secretary’s positions. Competing in many Queens and Prize meets around Australia and in the Veterans team to New Zealand he collected many trophies and badges, although a Queen's No.1 eluded him. He was also a popular and fine club member, willingly making and repairing targets, and target machines, as well as other maintenance duties. As his health deteriorated in his late 80's he gave up shooting with regret. F class was tried but shooting should still be "off the elbows" and not "sighting through a bit of pipe”.

Max is survived by his wife Pat of 65 years, four children, eight grandchildren and three great grand children. He will be remembered as a great shot and a gentleman by shooters, golfers, airmen and numerous community groups. His influence on others was evidenced by the huge turnout for his memorial service.

The last shot was fired on Lang Lang range after a minute silence, on 11th September 2010.

Vale Max