Fishing clubs hook new funding opportunities

VICTORIAN angling clubs will have the opportunity to hook funding support to upgrade facilities, grow membership and expand community programs thanks to the third round of the Victorian government’s Stronger Fishing Clubs Grants program.

Victorian Fisheries Authority chief executive Travis Dowling said 100 clubs and associations had shared in $900,000 through the first two rounds of grants and applications were now open for more clubs to share in $300,000 as part of the third and final round.

Up to $10,000 per club is available to fund improvements that create a more welcoming environment for newcomers to fishing, support learn-to-fish events and strengthen clubs’ long-term role in their communities.

The Stronger Fishing Clubs Grant Program is funded by recreational fishing licence fees through the Victorian government’s $96 million Go Fishing and Boating plan.

Grants can be used in a variety of ways, from clubroom upgrades to delivering fishing tuition, open days, club marketing improvements and staging guest speaker nights to sharpen skills and attract new members.

Previous grant recipients include the Warrnambool Offshore & Light Game Fishing Club, which received $10,000 to replace the clubhouse’s external cladding, gutters, downpipe and roller door.

Waverley & District Anglers is using its $6,890 grant to buy a defibrillator, undertake defibrillator and VHF radio training and purchase club assets such as brochures and member uniforms.

In central Victoria, the Kyneton Angling Club will put $10,000 towards a Special Needs Day community event, and defibrillator and first aid training, while the Greensborough & District Angling Club is using its grant to upgrade audiovisual equipment, run club open nights with guest speakers and stage its 100-year anniversary celebrations.

Applications for round three of the grants program are open until midnight Sunday 16 August.

The grants are available for projects such as fishing tuition for multicultural groups, women, first nations people and all-abilities; open days at the club; member training and events involving the public; guest speaker nights; club website development’ clubroom improvements; and equipment that will benefit all members.

To learn more and to apply, visit vfa.vic.gov.au/strongerfishingclubs

If you see or suspect any illegal fishing in Victoria, call the 24/7 reporting service, 13FISH (133474), to speak directly to a fisheries officer. You can remain anonymous.

FISHING REPORTS

Poor weather is affecting all reports.

Anglesea

* No reports

Reports courtesy of the Rusty Anglers Angling Club Anglesea

Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove

* Some salmon when the weather permits

Torquay

* No Reports

Reports courtesy of the Torquay Angling Club

St Leonards

* Reports of a small number of whiting and some squid