Fishing is for everyone!
It’s no secret that fishing is an amazing way to connect with our environment, facilitate social interaction and a sense of belonging and bring adventure to anglers’ lives. Access to and participation in recreational fishing should be available to all Victorians. This program is delivered by Fishcare Victoria and funded through the revenue generate from the sales of recreational fishing licenses in Victoria. The program advocates and promotes inclusive participation for one of Australia’s most popular recreational activities.
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Our Participant Feedback
Hear from the people who participate in our program and learn about the impact that our inclusive program is having for individuals and communities across Victoria.
Case Worker Interview
Participant Interview #1
Participant Interview #2
Participant Interview #3
ABOUT FISHCARE VICTORIA
We are a community operated not-for-profit charity with the motto ‘We Fish, We Care’. Our work promotes responsible fishing practices and increased stewardship of Victoria’s aquatic environments and is funded through the Recreational Fishing Licence trust fund.
Fishcare is operated by enthusiastic volunteers with regional groups across Victoria, from Warrnambool in the west, to Ballarat and as far east as Mallacoota.
Our aim is to promote responsible approaches to fishing and to share in the care and management of our precious aquatic environments.
BECOME A PARTNER
Being a not-for-profit, charity registered organisation Fishcare Victoria is continually looking for investment, and corporate volunteering groups to partner with us to deliver fishing clinics across the state.
We have received some seed funding to establish this worthwhile program but we are seeking ongoing sponsorship to ensure the longevity of this program and ensure that fishing really is accessbile to everyone.
Our program provides a sense of community to those who may be socially isolated because of their disability as well as provides the equipment and support to get outdoors and give recreational fishing a go.
If you or your or organisation are interested in become a FishAbility program partner, please contact us to schedule a meeting with our Operations Manager.
Become a volunteer!
We are always welcoming new volunteers to our Fishcare Victoria team. If you are interested in becoming a FishAbility volunteer and assisting in the delivery of fishing clinics and supporting people with disabilities to engage and have fun fishing, please register your interest today!
REGISTER TODAY!
About
Fishing is one of the most popular recreational activities in Australia. While so many fishers take for granted the opportunity of heading to the water and casting a line, it is evident that there are barriers hindering people with disabilities from being able to do the same. Fishcare Victoria has conducted informal and ad hoc all ability fishing clinics since 2010 which has been an unfunded volunteer run and coordinated program. With an increasing appetite for all ability clinics which can be linked to improved facilities and access to our aquatic environments Fishcare sees a great opportunity to commit to and lead the development of a well resourced and sustainable all ability fishing program.
This program partners with disability providers, agencies and local councils to improve opportunities and access to get outdoors and enjoy the excitement and reward of fishing. Regular all ability fishing clinics offer opportunities for Victorians who face significant life challenges and find it difficult to engage with our fisheries, to enjoy the magic of fishing. It’s no secret that fishing is an amazing way to connect with our environment, facilitate social interaction and a sense of belonging and bring adventure to anglers’ lives.
Program Objectives
Participation
Increase the active involvement of people with disabilities into recreational fishing through coordinated and regular fishing events
Partnerships
Partner with government, agencies, local councils and organisations and develop strategic cooperative arrangements
Promote
Promote responsible fishing practices as well as rules and regulations to participants and care givers
Advocate
Be advocates in promoting inclusive participation in recreational fishing
Want to contribute to this exciting & inclusive program? Donate now!
Your contribution will assist in the ongoing delivery of regular all ability fishing clinics across Victoria and make it easier for those with disabilities to engage and participate in the magic of fishing. As Fishcare Victoria Inc. is a registered Charity, all donations over $2 are tax deductible!
We work closely with these partners to deliver the program
And we are looking to build more partnerships
Interested in becoming a partner? Contact us!
Event Photos
Our dedicated staff team
Ian Whiteside
FishAbility & Port Phillip Facilitator
Ian is our Fishcare & Fishability Facilitator for Port Phillip & Westernport, and brings a wealth of fishing experience to the role, combined with a love of our aquatic waterways & the environment.
Ian loves a chat & is always happy to share a fishing tip or two, but he is particularly passionate about the care of our precious fishing resources & their natural habitat, and is keen to educate our kids to help secure our future fishing opportunities.
If he’s not running one of our popular fishing clinics, you’ll usually find him on the water somewhere!
Mitch McMaster
Operations Manager & Geelong & Bellarine Facilitator
Mitch has a background in Environmental Science majoring in Marine Biology, which he studied at Deakin University in Warrnambool. This degree allowed him to foster and focus his passion for promoting and improving sustainable fishing practices while aiming to maintain and develop freshwater and estuarine management plans.
Jenny Allitt
East Gippsland Facilitator
Jenny enjoys assisting children and parents gain the required knowledge and skills needed to fish with a sustainable mindset learned through the Fishcare Program. Jenny brings extensive knowledge of native and pest aquatic species and is passionate about people taking ownership for the different aquatic environments in which we share.
Contact us
If you would like to know more or have an enquiry about our program, please feel to contact us with your enquiry.
FishAbility by Fishcare Victoria
Operations Manager – Mitch McMaster
0448546703
mmcmaster@fishcarevictoria.org.au
Program Contact – Ian Whiteside
0419 591 761
iwhiteside@fishcarevictoria.org.au