| Burnanga Indigenous Fishing Club | Burnanga Indigenous Fishing Club Launch ($3,762) | The Burnanga Indigenous Fishing Club held its inaugural launch event at Dunyak Moira—a fantastic celebration for members and the wider community. Between 60 and 100 people attended, enjoying a range of engaging activities focused on sustainable recreational fishing and conservation, as well as a social BBQ and fishing competition. |
| Muscular Dystrophy Australia | Reels and Wheels ($2,750) | Muscular Dystrophy Australia hosted its 'Reels and Wheels' event at Mornington and Patterson Lakes, bringing together community members living with muscular dystrophy. The event offered a valuable opportunity to connect, unwind, and enjoy the social, mental, and physical benefits of spending time by the water with a fishing rod in hand. |
| Native Fish Australia | The 2024 Ovens River Challenge ($5,000) | Native Fish Australia hosted the 2024 Ovens River Challenge—a fishing and social event for anglers passionate about native and trout fisheries and the health of our waterways. The public event brought together like-minded individuals to discuss future plans for our fisheries, and also contributes to citizen science, with participants recording data on all fish caught to help assess local fish populations. |
| Duniga Maniga Banga | Duniga Banga Club Launch Come and Try Fishing ($1,986) | Approximately 100 members of the Yorta Yorta community and regional guests attended the launch of the Duniga Banga Club. The event featured a dance ceremony, along with several cultural recognitions of totem animals. Following the formalities, attendees enjoyed fishing and lure painting activities. The launch even earnt a feature in the National Reconciliation Week edition of the RA magazine. |
| Midland & North Central Angling Association | Lure Learning and Casting at Cairn Curran ($4,452) | The Midland & North Central Angling Association (M&NCAA) held a Lure Learning and Casting Day at Cairn Curran Reservoir with assistance from Ozfish. Carloads of families, inexperienced anglers and children benefitted from learning the basics of lure fishing, for many just the beginning of their recreational fishing journeys! |
| Bullen Merri South Beach Committee | Solar Lighting on Boat Ramp Pontoons ($4,620) | The Bullen Merri South Beach Committee received funding to install solar lights on the south beach boat ramp pontoons. Lake Bullen Merri is a popular recreational fishery, regularly stocked by the VFA. This lighting upgrade is a welcome improvement that will benefit recreational fishers and help support safe and enjoyable fishing year-round. |
| Friends of Lake Burrumbeet Inc | Lake Burrumbeet Clean Up($3,784) | Lake Burrumbeet is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and free camping. The Friends of Lake Burrumbeet received grant funding to support a Clean Up Australia–registered shoreline clean-up event, providing essential equipment and catering for volunteers. Thanks to the efforts of 25 dedicated participants on the day, around 10 cubic metres of rubbish were removed from the lake’s edge. |
| Dargo and District Angling Club | Promote kids to learn safe and sustainable fishing ($830) | The Dargo and District Angling Club received funding to host a Kids' Fun Fishing Day. Participants learned how to fish safely and sustainably, with discussions covering fisheries regulations and sustainability. With support from Fishcare, the day featured hands-on fishing, games, activities, and a BBQ—making it a fun, memorable, and meaningful event for all involved. |
| Gippsland Lakes Fishing Club | Kids / All Abilities Day ($2,950) | The Gippsland Lakes Fishing Club hosted its well-praised annual Kids and All Abilities Day with the support of a small grant, drawing around 150 families to the event. A local charter operator offered short boat trips to The Entrance for seal and dolphin watching, while club members and VRFish representatives ran a free BBQ and delivered fishing, crabbing, and rigging lessons. |
| Ballarat Fly Fishers | Learn to Fly Fish Workshop ($3,420) | The Ballarat Fly Fishers used their grant funding to host a fly fishing workshop and club open day, offering hands-on learning and community engagement. Twenty aspiring fly fishers attended the workshop, where they were guided by experienced club volunteers through all aspects of the sport. After the theory session, participants took to the water on Lake Wendouree to put their new skills into practice. |
