The plan is to try and have a Comp each month - aimed at both Safety and Fun days
I myself have joined and was at the first Meeting - so if you kayak fish and haven't heard this may be worth a read
https://www.facebook.com/groups/594015804073566/maverick wrote:The short version Pay $20 to join the TTTAF Fishing Club, adopt the Code of Conduct, participate in the social kayak fishing competitions, (6 - 10 per year) at an entry fee of an estimated $10/competition. Meet fellow yakkers and have fun, all while helping disadvantaged and disabled people - (without even knowing it).
The longer version TTTAF "Thats The Thing About Fishing" is a not for profit organisation that helps adults & kids (disadvantaged & disabled) go fishing. The organisation was recently incorporated and aligned with Fishcare, through some fantastic work by my Dad. They now have Insurance for all volunteers to help with the kids & adults and now also have Insurance to cover volunteers and organisers of club fishing competitions, including kayak fishing competitions.
By paying $20 and joining TTTAF you immediately help others with the joining fee. By joining you can be involved in the volunteer program by obtaining your Working with Children credential (at your own cost) or just participate in the kayak fishing competitions and nothing else - it all helps, and all for only $20.
So we basically need 15 kayakers to join up to make it financially viable, a kayak fishing competition sub committee will be formed which will organise and run all kayak fishing competitions, under the approval of the TTTAF committee. Kayak fishing competitions will be arranged for various locations around the state. If there is enough support a Geelong based sub committee will be formed to promote some competitions in the western area. Participants will still need to be members of TTTAF.
What's in it for TTTAF having kayak fishing competitions? Firstly it is an immediate increase in membership which gives them access to more grants, raises more money and gives them a bigger voice. It improves the relationship with Fishcare which will hopefully lead to better fishing for all of us. At some stage it is hoped that TTTAF will be able to purchase one or two 2 seat kayaks to take kids and adults out on, under supervision. Kayak fishing competitions will bring greater awareness to TTTAF. The competitions will also be a way of raising money which goes back into TTTAF.
Frankston Pines Soccer Club has offered the use of theiir licenced clubrooms for free for TTTAF meetings and social events, as well as just using their club facilities on Tuesday & Friday nights for drink or a get together - just by being a member of TTTAF. This will be the location for kayak fishing sub committee meetings initially. Obviously this will not be suitable for everyone to attend, but a lot of work can be acheived by group email if you still like to be involved.
There is a lot of information on Facebook inregard to TTTAF and the website is underway. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thats-Th ... 03?fref=ts Kids clinics https://www.facebook.com/events/493325480818285/
Fishcare is now promoting it's relationship with TTTAF. http://www.fishcare.org.au/
So where to from here? If you want to be involved as either a competitor or put your hand up for the sub committee complete the forms and join up. PM myself or RomeVictor with your email address and I/he will email you the forms. Once completed they are sent to Harvey Ritchie for processing. Payment is via bank transfer. If this is not possible I will try and come up with an alternative. Paypal may be an option but the cost will be slighter higher to offset the Paypal fee. Cash payments on the day of the competition will also be highly likely.
I hope to have the first competition happening in October. Competitions will be held for things like Squid Fishing comps, Snapper Comps, 5 species comps etc. All comps will be run to be social, fun, competitive and ideally with a BBQ held afterwards to chat & mingle. Just a reminder the insurance cover is NOT Life Insurance, TPD insurance or anything like that. If you are participating in a high risk sport it is advised you should probably check your own personal insurance cover.
Overnight trips to locations like Eildon etc will also be on the discussion agenda.
The really really really long version That’s The Thing About Fishing (TTTAF) was started by Glenn Cooper in the Mornington area, several years ago. Due to an injury Glenn had time on his hands. Fishing had always been his passion and he came to realise that many younger people did not know how to fish and, probably, would never know how to fish. Glenn teamed up with another fisherman, Brian Rowley, who shared his vision of wanting to teach people about fishing and promote the sport.
Along the way they also saw a need to assist with people battling mental health issues, disability groups, youth in trouble, men and women’s health groups and people suffering depression. For these people, fishing could be used as a therapeutic way of changing their lives by giving them a better quality of life and enjoying the benefits that fishing has to offer, both socially and personally.
On 30 March 2015 TTTAF was incorporated in Victoria as a not-for-profit Association, no A0065074G, full name is “That’s The Thing About Fishing with Guru Glenn and Nui Inc.” This gives the TTTAF a legal status that protects the members from individual legal action and will assist in getting grants and funding from government and other sources.
Since their beginning, Glenn and Brian have developed relationships with many organisations including those caring for disabled and disadvantaged persons of all ages as well as holding clinics during school holidays, all at no cost to the participants.
The Association aims to:
• Build programs that will get people of all ages outside, away from computer games, living in front of a TV screen or on social media. They will learn to fish and, hopefully, this will encourage greater social interaction for them.
• Build a program to allow TTTAF volunteers to work with organisations in the mental health and disability sector, to use fishing as way to improve lives.
• Work with law enforcement and schools to assist youth in trouble/at-risk teens by setting up programs in schools and elsewhere utilizing the benefits of fishing.
• Engage any groups or individuals that need an outlet because of the pressures in their life due to everyday issues
For the future …..
To achieve its aims, TTTAF will continue to run fishing clinics and offer one-on-one support. The aim is for these clinics to attract a large number of children and their families plus all other groups and persons mentioned above, who will be taught the basics of fishing.
Teaching a person to fish is more than just learning to fish. It gives a person a sense of purpose and assists with mental health and motor skills. Our vision is also to alleviate boredom which can lead to senseless crimes, depression and, in the worst case, suicide. It is about teaching patience, building friendships and networks and giving our youth something productive to do. TTTAF also acts in a mentoring role for at-risk teens.
All the clinics run are staffed by volunteers, all of the equipment is supplied through donations but, at this time, the group has no government funding and relies solely on the generosity of the communities and fellow fisherman. The clinics are open to everyone, at no cost, and all abilities and backgrounds are catered for.
TTTAF has expanded into Geelong and will look for future opportunities to expand into other metro and country areas.
The Association is affiliated with Fishcare Victoria Inc., a peak body with strong connections to the Victorian government and public service.
Any assistance that individuals, industry or government sources can provide to further the goals of TTTAF will be put to very good use.
Your consideration is greatly appreciated.
The primary TTTAF contacts at this time are:
Glenn Cooper: Mobile 0457 363 701 Email glenn.cooper@anitaoz.com.au
Harvey Ritchie: 0437 260 537 romeovictor@tpg.com.au
TTTAF Committee Executive
Glenn Cooper (aka Guru Glenn), President
Phillip Belfrage, Vice-President and Chairman, Geelong Sub-committee
Harvey R Ritchie, Secretary
Brian Rowley (aka Nui), Treasurer
Current Sponsors and Donors
The following list is indicative of the some of the support provided to TTTAF by sponsors and donors in recent years:
Seaford Bait Supplies
Mornington Boat Hire
Relax, Go Fishing
Launching Way Tackle
Land Based Fishing
Warneet Bait and Tackle
Aussie Icons / Intouch Finance
Compleat Angler Geelong
Ray Long’s Fishing World
Mario’s Fresh Bait
A Cut Above Family Butcher
5ways Group, Chartered Accountants
Current and Prospective Users of TTTAF’s Activities
The following indicates some of TTTAF’s activities as well as some groups that have been and continue to be involved:
Children’s School Holiday Clinics
2013 – 2015, two every school holiday break but this has increased to four every holiday break with two more in Geelong. Approximately 15-20 children attend each clinic. The estimated cost per child per clinic is $10 which is covered by sponsors, donors and at personal cost to volunteers.
Connecting Skills Australia (Mornington and Frankston day centres)
- creating opportunities for adults with disabilities
:every Friday at Mornington Pier, up to 10 adults
Focus Life (Dromana)
- making a positive change in the lives of people with a disability
: every Thursday at the Somerville Disabled Men’s Shed
Orwell Health
: respect for life, passion for living
Neami Health (Frankston)
- improving mental illness and well being
Mental Illness Fellowship (Frankston)
- giving people with mental illness a fresh start
Dad’s in Distress Support Services (Frankston)
- help and hope for separated dads
Monterey High School (Frankston)
- troubled youths program
Autism Plus (Cranbourne)
- providing support services to the autism and disabled community
Fishcare Victoria Inc
- disabled groups fishing
:every second Monday at Patterson River, 20-30 participants
Life Saving Victoria
- rock fishing seminar for Vietnamese immigrants
http://www.thatsthethingaboutfishing.or ... ompetiton/
