November 5, 2026
VRFish wishes to acknowledge retiring VRFish Board member Steven Relf’s outstanding contribution to Victoria’s recreational fishing sector.
Steven joined VRFish in 2000 as a state council representative for the Howqua Association. In 2010 he joined the Board of VRFish and in 2016 he was appointed to the role of Deputy Chair and Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.
Through the Howqua Association, Steven advocated for year-round fishing for Murray Cod in Lake Eildon, for which we gained support from VRFish members and it was eventually implemented by the Victorian Fisheries Authority. Eildon is now considered one of Victoria’s premier native fish impoundments.
During his time with VRFish, Steven was appointed as the VRFish representative on the recreational fishing license trust advisory committee where he served two terms on the committee and provided advice on grants and projects to be approved for funding. He also represented VRFish on the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s Roundtable, the Wild Trout Recovery Program, fish stocking meetings and recreational fishing forums.
In 2025, Steven was awarded a VRFish Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honour which can be bestowed by the peak body, for his longstanding and valued service to recreational fishing in Victoria.
Steven joined VRFish as he strongly believes the recreational anglers need a strong peak body to voice their views to both the Victorian Fisheries Authority and government and to give back to the sport I’ve enjoyed for many years.
VRFish Chair, Rob Loats, said “On behalf of the Board, staff, all VRFish members and the recreational fishing public, I am sure you will all join me in extending our wholehearted appreciation to Steven for his exceptional service to our recreational fishing peak body and his long-term achievements in making recreational fishing better, for everyone.”
