Shooting — the highlight of her Women’s Royal New Zealand Navy career — ignited a passion for the sport.
"It was something I enjoyed during my navy days."
But it was briefly put on hold until 1973.
"When I came back to Invercargill, my sister was involved in the ladies club, so I went with her."
By 1979, McCabe had earned her place on various Southland teams and maintained her representative status until 2017 and spent most of her career shooting at an A-grade level.
Accurate shooting was a sport not influenced by physical strength or gender, she said.
"I’ve actually shot in the number one Southland teams only once, but qualified several other times, but chose to stick with the ladies’ team instead of the open number one team.
In 2015, she added the Target Shooting Southland regional co-ordinator feather to her cap.
Last week, the Invercargill Target Shooting Association awarded her life membership.
Target Shooting Southland president Damien Daly said it was a great privilege to be able to award McCabe life membership.
"She has done an amazing service to Target Shooting Southland ... and thank her for all her dedication, commitment, passion and hard work."
After selling her rifle she held the role of Southland team manager until 2023.
"I wanted to give up actual shooting while I was still reasonably good. That doesn’t stop me from still enjoying the connection I have with it.
But her dedication to the sport had been shown by serving as the Invercargill association treasurer or president since the mid 1980s.
The photo taken shooting in her navy years often impressed the school pupils she had coached over the years.
Now she had stepped down from her decades of administration support, she planned to maintain her interest in the sport and support others.
Passing on her experience and knowledge to new generations of shooters inspired her to stay involved.
"The thing about coaching kids is, I don’t know whether they realise it or not, but if they shoot well, it’s as much of a kick for me as it is for them."
While rural pupils who turned up at the shooting range would have experience with a rifle, shooting rabbits was a very different skill from range shooting, she said.
"I’ve got some good kids down there at the moment, and they’re really good.
"I enjoy working with them and I think they enjoy working with me," McCabe said.
"You get your thanks by them doing as they’re told and achieving from it."
It was a sport where shooters helped each other out.
"I’ll be down there on a club night and doing my thing."
By Toni McDonald
