February 15, 2021
VRFish joined 30 Liberal and National Party parliamentary members at Hastings on Wednesday for a Westernport KG session. Blustery conditions and wind against tide couldn’t dampen the parliamentary members enthusiasm to soak up a sunrise on Westernport Bay and wet a line.
Shadow Minster for Fishing and Boating David Morris MP ably held off Nationals Leader Peter Walsh MP for best bag honours, with a late morning charge by Member for Sandringham Brad Roswell MP calling on his ‘in close at Brighton beach’ technique to take out biggest KG with a kidney slapper right on the bell.
Leader of the Opposition Michael O’Brien MP was suitably impressed with his teams piscatorial performance although he did note that while it was a tough gig pitting newbies to fishing Westernport against the ‘Metung marauder’ Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull MP and the ‘Trout Magnet’ Member for Benambra Bill Tilley MP, it was important to acknowledge how tough our charter fishing sector has done it over the past year and that supporting the sector was important.
While this day was a fun introduction to recreational fishing for many parliamentary members, the importance of having members of parliament tuned into what we do and what we want is essential advocacy for Victoria’s recreational fishing community.
Thanks to Westernport Fishing Charters and VSF Charters for their professional services.