Pattie Dench dominated pistol shooting in Australia from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s.
The big one, the one she will always be remembered for, was winning the bronze in the Sports Pistol category at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Why this stands out is because before Pattie Dench there was nobody else in Australia who had managed to win any medal in pistol shooting.
Yes, Macarthur region’s sharpshooter Patti Dench was the first one to win an Olympics medal for the green and gold.
Last night, Pattie Dench received another accolade: she was inducted into the NSW Hall of Champions at the 2024 NSW Sports Awards.
Tributes started pouring in almost immediately for her, including this one on social media by Wollondilly councillor Ally Dench:
“So incredibly proud to share that my amazing mother-in-law, Patricia Dench, also known as “Pistol Packing Pattie’’, a wonderful Wollondilly resident, has been inducted into the NSW Hall of Champions of Sport 2024 for her incredible achievements in pistol shooting.
“This is such a well-deserved recognition of her dedication, talent, and hard work over the years. Her achievements inspire not only her family but also the entire sporting community.’’
As well as the Los Angeles bronze in 1984, Pattie Dench has also won three silver World Championship medals, considered the peak competition for shooters.
She won silver in both the 25m Sport Pistol and the 10m Air Pistol Teams in her first World Championship in 1978 and won World Championship silver again the following year in the 10m Air Pistol.
Pattie’s achievements are remarkable considering she only started shooting at age 42 in 1974 with the Campbelltown Liverpool Pistol Club.
The 25m Shooting Range at the Sydney International Shooting Centre is named in her honour.
And one more thing about this sporting legend: both Camden and Wollondily claim Patti Dench as one of their own, and who can blame them.
