AN INTRODUCTION TO CANBERRA GAME FISHING CLUB (INCORPORATED)
BACKGROUND
Canberra Game Fishing Club (CGFC) was formed in 1964 by a group of Canberra residents who owned a steel cruiser “Blue Marlin”, the hull of which is still to be found on the banks of the Bermagui River about 800m upstream from the bridge. The club had a period of steady growth from formation through the early seventies when membership started to decline. By the mid seventies membership had dropped to about 20 members and most of those inactive. The decline in membership was due, at least in part, to the club losing focus on game fishing and also conducting a tournament that caused considerable financial loss and division in the club.
In 1977 a meeting was held to consider winding up the club. At the meeting were 10 existing members and 3 potential new members. On this basis it was decided to continue and the club has grown from strength to strength since that time. Membership has stabilised around 120-150 for the past few years. We run an annual Yellowfin Tournament every May out of Bermagui which is one of the most popular in NSW. It is a very successful venture accounting for the financial viability of the club
AFFILIATIONS
CGFC is a member of New South Wales Game Fishing Association (NSWGFA) and is affiliated with the Game Fishing Association of Australia (GFAA and the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA). The club fishes to the rules of GFAA and NSWGFA and a copy of “The Official Australian Gamefishing Journal” is sent to all members. This contains angling rules, regulations, records and a lot of other useful information. CGFC along with 10 other clubs form NSWGFA Southern Zone.
INCORPORATION
The Club is incorporated in the Australian Capital Territory.
AIMS OF THE CLUB
The primary aim of the Club is, to quote the first object from the Constitution, “To participate in and promote the sport of saltwater game fishing”. A further object is “To provide for social intercourse for members”. Whenever possible the Club endeavours to combine these two objects as well as meting the other objects as outlined in the Constitution.
The Club also strives to ensure that its members maintain the highest ethical standards in fishing to he rules both in spirit and in letter and also that actions of members do not bring discredit to the Club.
TAG AND RELEASE
CGFC actively promotes tag and release. A progressive increase of awareness and concern for the future of game fishing has resulted in over 97% of fish being tagged by our members in recent seasons.
ORGANISED ACTIVITIES
- Monthly meetings are held at the Hellenic Club of Canberra, Matilda Street, Woden at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of each month with the exception of January and August
- Annual Christmas party.
- The Canberra Game Fishing Club hosts a annual Bermi Bash in Bermagui. The aim of the day is to introduce new members to the sport of game fishing and to assist members with advice on tackle and equipment. It is focused also on the social side of fishing.
- Annual General Meeting and Presentation Dinner held in August at Hellenic Club.
- Annual Yellowfin Tuna Tournament held at Bermagui each May.
- Other activities are held from time to time and members are informed via Tale Rope, the Club newsletter which is available on the club website each month.
WEBSITE
As well as the Club newsletter being onsite each month there are also various photo galleries and other relevant information. Look at canberragamefishing.com.au.
TROPHIES
Various trophies are provided by the Club for all organised fishing activities. In addition there is a wide range of Club trophies, some perpetual, available for Club competition that runs on an annual basis. Typical categories are “First Marlin of the Season” for both capture and tag, “Tag and Release Angler” (both senior and junior).
There are annual NSWGFA Coastal Waters Trophies and GFAA trophies for the best results in NSW and Australia in various categories.
RECORDS
The Club maintains its own record chart and also checks and forwards claims to NSW, Australian and World Records as may be appropriate.
SOUTHERN ZONE
The Club competes in a competition with the other clubs within the Zone. The clubs in the Zone are Shellharbour, Kiama, Jervis Bay, Shoalhaven, Ulladulla, Batemans Bay, Narooma, Canberra, Bermagui, Eden, Merimbula and Tathra. The competition is fished monthly on the second and fourth weekend throughout the year plus any gazetted NSW public holiday weekends and nominated tournaments as listed in the Events Calender. Our secretary, Sanchia Glaskin is also current Southen Zone Chairman.
OTHER TOURNAMENTS
Members regularly fish in tournaments held by other clubs and also fish individually or in groups in other parts of Australia and overseas.
CLUB ASSETS AND FINACIAL POLICY
The Club has a number of assets including audio visual equipment, computer, digital and manual scales and other equipment. The Club is financially sound and has long operated on the principle of keeping membership fees to a minimum with maximum returns for members. Of course those members that attend activities get the maximum benefit from their membership.
CONTACT POINTS
For information on the Club please contact the Club Secretary – Mario Imbriano – secretary@canberragamefishing.com.au or the Club President – Gregory Campbell – president@canberragamefishing.com.au
Interested parties are welcome to attend our general meetings at the Hellenic Club.