2020 & 2021 Training Conferences

We had great success at the Fishcare Victoria training conference held in Lakes Entrance in early May. The 2020 Conference was postponed to May 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions, however the wait was worth it! We didn’t spot any Burrunan Dolphins on our guided tour of the lakes with Matt from the Marine Mammal Foundation but some cheeky seals and plenty of birdlife was out to greet us on a fantastic day out on the lakes.

Guest speakers included:

• Paul Bodsworth & Mark Fletcher – VFA Compliance Officers – Lakes Entrance
• Richard Stafford Bell – Principle Officer Invasive Marine Species – Agriculture Vic
• Matt Montemurro – Marine Mammal Foundation
• Craig Ingram – Gippsland Lakes Recreational Fishery Plan VFA
• Rebecca Jol – Fish Monitoring of Gippsland Lakes

Planning for the 2021 conference is well underway and will be held on Friday 10th to Sunday 12th of September in Warrnambool at the Deakin University Campus.

Fishcare Victoria has had a long-standing relationship with Deakin University and the township of Warrnambool. The South West regional group has been based in Warrnambool since the early 2000s. With the Hopkins River and Merri River bordering the township and the Breakwater stretching out into Lady Bay (the southern ocean), there are many fishing opportunities on Warrnambool’s doorstep. Many of Fishcare’s volunteers
have started as Deakin University students with many going on to work in the field and some even finding employment with Fishcare.

The Conference will kick off with our AGM on the Friday afternoon and a service awards dinner at the Flying Horse Bar and Brewery.

The Conference will also include attendance at The Victorian Freshwater Fish Habitat & Flows Forum (Saturday 9 am – 4 pm) which will include a presentation from the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority, The Australian Trout Foundation and OzFish Unlimited. This will be a great opportunity to network with other like-minded organisation, discuss emerging issues and explore opportunities for further increased collaboration.

If you are interested in attending the Annual Training Conference in Warrnambool on the 10th – 12th of September, please register using the form below.