Club hooks fishing grant

Ocean Grove Angling Club will benefit from a state government grant implemented to provide fishing clubs with the facilities they need.

Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos announced the first 20 grants awarded to local clubs through the Labor government’s Stronger Fishing Clubs Grant Program, with the $1.2 million investment funded by the reinvestment of fishing licence fees.

The program will support clubs with grants of up to $10,000, with the first recipients including Ocean Grove Angling Club.

The club will use the money to purchase new uniforms and promotional material to attract more members across the growing coastal community and buy new cooking equipment for club events.

“We know fishing and getting into nature plays a huge part in Victorians’ busy lives, so we’re investing significantly to help community clubs get more people fishing, more often,” Mr Dimopoulos said.

“We want to support the wonderful work of angling clubs, which are often the first port of call for newcomers to the pastime and home to local experts who have decades of experience to share about fishing in their patch.”

The program is part of the government’s $96 million investment to improve fishing, boating, piers and aquaculture for communities across the state.

Applications for the second round of grants will be available in 2024 and more applications are currently being considered.

To learn more, visit vfa.vic.gov.au/strongerfishingclubs