They are assets for him as he teaches, and allow him to excel at his other passion: clay target shooting.
“I have been actively involved in clay target shooting for seven years,” Mr Hunt said.
“In the past three years, I have taken on the role of junior development officer at SSAA ‘The Pit’ Shepparton and served on the committee for five years.”
As well as his duties in Shepparton, Mr Hunt has been the co-ordinator of clay target sporting events for the Goulburn Murray Division School Sports Victoria for the past three years.
The role sees him often at ‘The Pit’ on weekends, watching over and tutoring students.
Mr Hunt was a keen hunter, and clay target shooting was, for him, a natural progression.
“I had the opportunity to visit SSAA Shepparton grounds, and the warm welcome I received made me feel like part of the community,” he said.
“This positive experience led me to introduce my family to the sport; my son, in particular, has embraced it and continues pursuing it.”
Mr Hunt uses a Browning 725, a 12-gauge under-and-over shotgun.
To be a good clay target shooter, Mr Hunt said one needed sharp vision, reflexes, patience, stamina and unwavering focus.
Mr Hunt has these skills in abundance and will compete in the Trans-Tasman Cup later this year alongside his son.
For Mr Hunt, it was an unexpected and unplanned turn of events.
“I have been a spectator, cheering for my son, who joined the competitive scene in 2019 as a sub-junior,” Mr Hunt said.
“To my surprise, after entering a two-weekend competition, sheer luck was on my side, and I managed to secure a spot beside my son on the Australian team.”
Mr Hunt believes that teaching students to clay target shoot is more than just getting them to hit an airborne target; it also ensures participants become well-rounded individuals.
“Clay target shooting instils valuable life qualities such as perseverance, focus, attention to detail and resilience,” he said.
“Facing disappointments when scores don’t meet expectations teaches them to bounce back and keep trying, building their resilience.”
As for anyone considering participating, Mr Hunt said it was a safe sport open to all abilities.
“Whether you are with family or friends, it is an inclusive activity that does not demand a specific fitness level or skill set,” Mr Hunt said.
“It offers a fantastic opportunity for a social day out, and the best part is you can make it as casual or competitive as you prefer.”
The Courier wishes Mr Hunt and his son luck for the upcoming competition.
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