This year the weather was considerably more favourable to us. Kid’s Fishing Days were run covering coastal, estuarine, fresh water and impoundments. These events were attended by 1283 kids, 308 instructors and coaches and 554 parents and carers. Each child attending received tackle specific to the local conditions. There were taught how to both use that tackle and care for it. On the days, lunch was provided and varied from the traditional sausage sizzle to red claw on the barbie caught that day.

It is impossible to pick out a group that had the most fun. Smiles were enormous on all the faces. In this report I have included a selection of the individual reports from events. From the photos you can see that there was a large cross section of children covering, boys and girls, indigenous and also those from socially, physically and emotionally disadvantaged sectors. For those last three groups, these days are probably the most important.

As an aside, modules from our Level 1 Instructor’s course, that include the templates on which our kid’s fishing days are run have this year been included in the national angler education resource database.

Sunfish Queensland wishes to acknowledge the valuable support provided by the provision of this grant funding. Educating our next generations on the valuable resource that they need to protect is extremely important. Equally important is the ability to pass traditional knowledge and skills onto children that may not have those in their family networks that are able to do so, given the changing demographics in our society. We also can’t forget the tremendous opportunities provided for families with children who have difficult circumstances. These families are discovering a pastime that they can enjoy as a unit, irrespective of physical or emotional disadvantages.

Kids Fishing Day area the jewel of Sunfish’s activities. These young minds soak up all the skills and messages that can be delivered to them. We certainly appreciate that Fisheries Queensland also acknowledge the value in nurturing this conduit back into communities by continuing to support this program.

As you can see from some of the emails that have been included, these communities look forward to these events every year. It is a great testament to our volunteers that they keep their enthusiasm going year after year.

Feedback from attendees, parents, carers, coaches and instructors was unanimously supportive and constructive. In that vein I need to forward on the thanks to Fisheries Queensland and the Minister that were directed through us on the value of this program to their communities.

... To read the rest of the article, please download the 33 page PDF document ...