2008 President's Report

I would like to start by thanking everybody involved with the “Group” over the last 12 months. It was a very eventful and trying year for me personally and I was unable to put in the amount of time and energy that I intended to when I took the President’s postion. I would therefore like to thank the rest of the committee who stood up and took on the extra workload.

Firstly, to our Secretary George, you are an unbeleivable asset to this organisation. Your drive to achieve is second to none and having been involved with the committee for the past two years, I know that without you MIFSG would not be where it is today. Thank you for your valuable support and guidance.

Secondly to our Treasurer Vivian, thank you for taking on a job that no one ever wants to do. It was your first attempt of any kind of committee position and you took on the hardest. Although I might be seen to be biased but I honestly believe that you succeeded where I any many others would have failed.

And finally to Sean, thank you for the effort and assistance that you provided us all. It was a very busy year for you with the birth of your fourth child and the starting of a new management position, both requiring the majority of your time.

2008 was a very difficult yet successful year. Memberships were up, fish were stocked into the Lake, the Boat Raffle made money and a severely handicapped Barra Classic triumphed at the eleventh hour.

MIFSG started the year off with a Membership Day in January that proved to be quite a success. This event occurred with the assistance of both sponsors and a Government Grant.

Once again, thanks to George, the Hatchery Project is becoming more and more a reality. Hopefully the committee of 2009 will finally be able to get it operational. I will let George explain more in his Hatchery Report in the meeting to follow this AGM.

The 2008 Fishing Classic went ahead despite initial headaches, such as not knowing if boats were allowed on the lake until the Tuesday three days before it started. Despite restrictions, such as no night fishing, speed limits, ect the event was well attended, with most people enjoying themselves very much. Although numbers may have been down, the spirit was up.

Despite the late start of ticket sales, the 2008 Boat Raffle was another success with the sale of 3500 tickets by dedicated Members, who sacrificed their weekends for the cause. A huge “Thank You” to all who sold tickets and/or dropped of the boat at Super IGA, Turanga and Tool ‘N’ Tackle. Also, a huge “Thank You” has to go out to Gary and Deb at Tool ‘N’ Tackle for their continued support of the MIFSG. Thank you also to Guy at Atlas Super Store, Dawn from Isa Party Hire, Gail from Nifty’s Takeaway and Rae & Paul from RAPS Surf ‘N’ Turf for their help in selling tickets.

During the year we were able to release 15,000 Sooty Grunter and 15,000 Barra fingerlings into Lake Moondarra. At the time it was considered a great risk with the water level so low, but all the people involved the rain would come and thank goodness we were proven right.

I would like to finish by once again thanking you, the Members, for the opportunity for not only being part of, but publicly being the representative of such a great organisation.

Good luck and good fishing.

Russell Corrigan
President 2008