Media Statement
Kununurra Kids Dream Of a Fishing Future At Fishing Clinic

12 May 2005

A hugely successful kids fishing clinic was widely praised by the Kununurra community.

More than 80 local children attended the clinic run at the swim beach on Mother's Day.

The clinic was run by Recfishwest using gear and prizes through their Healthway sponsorship and with money made available by the Minister for Fisheries Jon Ford to teach kids all about responsible fishing.

Recfishwest Executive Director Frank Prokop praised the event and local support for the clinics.

"Recfishwest runs almost 50 clinics annually throughout the state and this was the best one for this year", Mr Prokop said. "The support of the local community was fantastic for the event."

International fishing identity Steve Starling donated his time to attend the event and teach the kids a few tricks. Steve also signed autographs and filmed the clinic for a TV special to be shown later in the year on GWN.

Steve Starling was impressed by everything he saw while in Kununurra. "The kids were great and they are very skilled. They have the advantage of having some of the best fishing in the world on their doorstep and it shows. I was also impressed by the strong desire by the kids and their parents to fish for the future - to make sure that the fish are there for the next person."

The Kununurra locals got right behind the event, with plenty of prizes and things to do. Triple J tours gave the kids a boat ride and even ran a special Mother's Day boat ride so that the mums did not feel left out. The Bar-b-que boat supplied sausages and drinks while the Department of Sport and Recreation, Argyle diamonds, the East Kimberley boating supplies and the East Kimberley Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee also leant support.

Mr Prokop also thanked the Department of Fisheries Inspectors for attending and organisers Leanne O'Shea and Scott Goodson without whom the clinic could not have proceeded.

"Although there weren't too many fish caught on the day, I can honestly say that the future is bright for fishing in the Kimberley and Western Australia with the great people that you have in the town." Mr Prokop said.

All the kids got a hat, t-shirt tackle box or fishing lure for the day which brought a smile to happy young faces. Scott Goodson has already pledged to make the fishing clinic an annual event.

"I have made sure that Recfishwest didn't leave town without promising to come back next year." Mr Goodson said.

ENDS
Media Contact: Frank Prokop 9246 3366 Mobile 0419 949 118
Scott Goodson 91664109



This page last updated May 2005.