Billy Auldist, winner of the 2024 Arthur Bentley Award for best sambar, with Col Brumley (left) and Sean Kilkenny (right).
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NEWS Peter Spanu
The ADA Melbourne Branch held its Annual Game Dinner on Saturday night, November 15, 2025 at the Abruzzo Club in Brunswick. A great turnout of 150 guests with members from across Victoria, along with other distinguished guests from partner hunting, land-management and conservation groups. The dinner is open to all ADA members from all branches including family and invited guests. For the last several years the event has been hosted by the Abruzzo Club Brunswick, to whom we owe a sincere thank you for their generous support.
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Again, last year and for a second term, the event incorporated the prestigious Arthur Bentley Trophy award presentation. The winning ADA Westernport member was recognised for the highest scoring ethically harvested sambar stag taken in the previous year. Congratulations went to Mr. Billy Auldist who duly received the prestigious Arthur Bentley Award for 2024. A well-deserved award.
The Australian Deer Association, which includes branches throughout Australia, celebrated another successful year of advocacy, deer conservation, and community building. The ADA continues to push for evidence-based wildlife policy. The Association emphasises the importance of working collaboratively with government agencies, farmers, and environmental organizations to manage Australia’s growing wild deer populations while promoting ethical hunting traditions.
With all the political changes afoot and being pushed through parliament we urge all deer hunters to join the ADA, it doesn’t matter which branch, or any other major hunting or sporting shooter organisation. We need to make ourselves known to all politicians and citizens of Australia and show that we are fully licensed law-abiding firearms owners. Education and information sharing needs to happen openly and transparently and we need to be seen and heard. Our voice needs to be heard loudly and listened to.
On a lighter note, and because the sharing of food is an important bond for us, the Abruzzo Club’s main dining hall was filled, as attendees gathered for a night of camaraderie, recognition, and reflections on the year’s achievements, including feasting on sustainably sourced game meats and produce. The evening opened with a warm welcome from ADA Melbourne Branch President, Mr Jeffrey Owen, who outlined the nights proceedings, highlighted ongoing efforts in deer management, habitat protection, and responsible hunting practices.
Guests enjoyed a multi-course sustainably sourced game dinner cooked and prepared by the Abruzzo Club’s chef. Raffle tickets were drawn for the prizes donated from our major sponsors for the night, being the Australian Deer Association, Abruzzo Club, The Austrian Club Melbourne, Fowles Wines, Red Stag Restaurant Eurobin, Spitaki Souvlaki and SAL’S Pizzeria Wangaratta.
A big thank you also to our ADA member and guest performer Ms Catalina Fabro, singer, songwriter and guitarist for the wonderful musical entertainment on the night.
As the dinner concluded, organisers thanked attendees for their ongoing support and encouraged members to stay engaged in the year ahead. With new partnerships forming and a busy calendar planned, the Australian Deer Association signalled a strong start to its upcoming season 2026.
Around 150 guests were in attendance.
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