Today she is one of the state’s best shooters, breaking through barriers and being encouraged by members of Grant’s gun club.

“I went around with him learning all the rules but started myself in about 1998,” Ellis said. “Everyone is so supportive and it really is about getting down to a gun club, meeting everyone and finding someone you are comfortable with.”

During her time Ellis said her top achievements included making the Mackintosh team, a national clay target shooting team which go up against Canada, England, Ireland, N.Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and Wales.

Ellis is trained by her husband Grant and fellow shooter Bevan Swan because “sometimes [my husband and I] don’t listen to each other.”

“You know how husbands can be,” she said. Her message to others thinking of starting a new sport, even if it was considered more of a male sport, was “give it a go”.

Ellis was in perfect form at the recent state trap championships hitting 50 from 50 in the ladies 50 target state handicap.