2006 President's Report
Our annual Lake Moondarra Fishing Classic was another success. Fundraising through sponsorships and nominations enabled us to have all 30 prize categories covered with very good prizes and cash. The Classic of 2006 had seen a different approach to sponsorship gathering with Mount Isa Water (MIW) engaging a consultant as part of their Major Sponsorship to engage a wider sponsorship base. The effort put into raising the profile of the Classic outside of Mount Isa will pay off in years to come. MIW also tried to enhance the Lake Moondarra’s attractions with other events at the same time as the 2006 Classic. While these events undoubtedly took a number of competitors away from the Classic, we have tried something different and are wiser for the experience.
MIFSG must take the time to properly thank our sponsors for their contributions to the Fishing Classic for 2006 and for future events. The sponsors are the most obvious financial supporters of our organisation and a priority must be placed on their recognition. Also any other contributors to our organisation must be identified and thanked properly for their support.
The Executive had a very late start to last year and pulled together very well to discharge our duties in a proficient manner. Many thanks go to last years Executive, in particular, Brigitte Sharp, who took over as Treasurer without much experience with the workings of the MIFSG and has done a fantastic job keeping the MIFSG accounts in order. The support and leadership role that Brigitte has played throughout the year has been invaluable to the MIFSG. Renee Blackman, who is also new to the MIFSG, has performed well despite her inexperience as Secretary. Mike Poppel, as Vice President, is always able to offer his advice.
The support we had from our members was excellent last year. From meeting attendance and input into the decision making processes of the group to assistance with the running of the groups’ activities, the members were always helpful. The selling of raffle tickets, Show displays, Angler Education Days and organising and running the Fishing Classic cannot be done without good membership support and help was always there when requested.
The dynamic state of the mining industry that our community relies upon has led to the arrival of a wider range of people with new skills, ideas and different backgrounds. These people have a lot to offer our community organisation and a lot of effort has been made to inform them of our role in our community and encourage them to join. The maintenance, promotion and enjoyment of our fishery will only be more effective with the help of these people. Communication between MIFSG and our community has improved with more information being passed via e-mails and the print media. This communication will promote our group and our activities throughout the community.
Communication with the GBRA has improved enormously. The information coming out as weekly updates has kept us informed of issues that affect our supply of Barramundi fingerlings. A prepayment agreement with the GBRA saw money going to Karumba to assist with the running of the facility. Unfortunately, there was no harvest of fingerlings from last seasons spawning events. Although very disappointed with this situation, MIFSG will continue to support GBRA, offering and giving assistance whenever possible.
As President my goals last year were to increase membership, increase fundraising and improve our social activities. While not everything turned out as expected, we do have new members with fresh perspectives. With very limited preparation we sold all boat raffle tickets in 2006 for the first time ever. The Fishing Classic is developing into a very well regarded and attended event. Progress was made with our social activities with a lot of communication and effort being put into getting together socially.
As a group MIFSG delivers important functions to our community. From the direct stocking of our permitted impoundments to our social days we need to assist each other and make the most of our position in our community. We have accredited Angler Education Instructors who deliver a unique service in the form of Kids Fishing Adventures and Angler Education Days. We offer advice to the community about issues relating to fishing such as bag and size limits, species identification, fishing techniques and fishing safety. We will continue to offer these services and promote our fishery. Mark Van Ryt has been a driving force in coordinating and developing the Angler Education events, congratulations and thanks goes to Mark for the effort.
The Hatchery Project is well into the funding application stages. A funding agreement between Community Water Grants and MIFSG for the water treatment and storage for the Hatchery Project has been finalised and should proceed early this year. Delays in application approvals, mistiming application deliveries and the firming up of support have contributed to drawing out the projected start date of the construction phases. A good team of committed people have reformed the Hatchery Project Committee and as the project gathers momentum these people will be vital in executing the required elements of the project. Thanks to these individuals who have given their time to this project as volunteers.
2007 will be a huge year for MIFSG. This year is our 20th year in existence as a stocking group and full credit goes to the far sighted people who formed and organised the group from August 1987 to the present day. The vision and commitment of these people is something that has inspired me as President in 2006 to carry on the excellent work that has been done previously. All of our members can be proud of the achievements of MIFSG. We offer very unique services to our community in the form of Angler Education and run a very successful Fishing Classic. These types of events along with our stocking activities are done by no other group in town and are important events for our community.
While the past year has not been easy for me as President, I have had the welcome support of the rest of the MIFSG executive in 2006. The work that has been put in by previous MIFSG Executives, and advice that they freely gave upon request, has also helped a lot. The lack of experience in the position was troublesome at times but their help, with the contacts made, and the processes put in place, will advance our organisation into the future.
With the help of our sponsors, members and our community MIFSG have provided a very real lifestyle improvement for Mount Isa in the form of recreational fishing. We are appreciated for our work by most of the community and this is proven by the amount of support we get for any event we run. Our stocking efforts keep tourists in town longer and provide very good sport to our community’s anglers. I am very proud to be associated with MIFSG because of what it has done for our community. I wish every success to this years Executive and members, I am sure our 20th year will be one of our best.
George Fortune
President