Creating Stronger Local Fishing Clubs Across Victoria

The Allan Labor Government is making sure more fishing clubs have the facilities they need to grow their community for generations to come, with new grants backing community-based fishing clubs across Victoria.

Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos announced the first 20 grants awarded to local clubs through the Labor Government’s Stronger Fishing Clubs Grant Program, with the $1.2 million investment funded by the reinvestment of fishing licence fees.

The program will support clubs with grants of up to $10,000, with the first recipients including Shepparton-based Burnanga Indigenous Fishing Club, Port Albert Fishing Club, Ballarat’s Lakeside Anglers Club, Ocean Grove Angling Club and the 100-year-old Mitcham Angling Club.

One of the state’s newest fishing clubs, the Burnanga Indigenous Fishing Club, will use the grant to purchase IT, software and printing equipment to attract more anglers to the club and produce educational material on protecting and restoring native fish habitats.

The Lakeside Anglers Club will create new junior member start-up packs, purchase new uniforms and two laptops, hire equipment for public events and make enhancements to their website, complementing a range of broader changes within the club – boosting membership and promoting their activities to more local recreational fishers.

Celebrating their 100 years since formation, the Mitcham Angling Club will use their $10,000 grant to boost technology upgrades at the club, while Port Albert Fishing Club will rebuild the popular clubroom kitchen.

Ocean Grove Angling Club will purchase new uniforms and promotional material to attract more members across the growing coastal community and buy new cooking equipment for club events.

The program is part of the Labor Government’s $96m investment to improve fishing, boating, piers and aquaculture for communities across the state.

Applications for the second round of grants will be available in 2024 and more applications are currently being considered.

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

Quotes attributable to Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos

“We know fishing and getting into nature plays a huge part in Victorians’ busy lives, so we’re investing significantly to help community clubs get more people fishing, more often.”

“We want to support the wonderful work of angling clubs, which are often the first port of call for newcomers to the pastime and home to local experts who have decades of experience to share about fishing in their patch.”