Local kids learn from their Elders

A group of 30 Aboriginal students aged from 10 to 14 years from the lower Murray area will be given the chance to swap fishing stories and learn about responsible fishing during a special workshop on Wednesday May 30.

NSW DPI staff along with elders from the Aboriginal community and Aboriginal Educators from the Buronga, Dareton, and Wentworth Public Schools and the Coomealla High school will be passing on valuable fishing skills and knowledge.

Mr John Blair, an experienced Aboriginal Educator with NSW DPI’s Aboriginal Liaison Cultural Heritage Unit, said fishing played an important role in Aboriginal culture and the workshop was a wonderful opportunity for younger children to carry on that tradition.

“The students will have lots of fun and learn how to identify different types of fish, how to clean the fish for eating, and all about rigging, baiting and casting.

“Every child will receive a rod and reel, a tackle box, a hat and water bottle together with Fishing Guides and other fisheries information”.

Mr Blair said the workshop was part of a state-wide program, run by the DPI and funded by the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust, to teach children responsible fishing practices.

It follows similar fishing workshops recently held with Aboriginal primary and high school children in Narooma, Inverell and Nambucca Heads.

Funds raised from the recreational fishing fee are placed into two trusts, one for saltwater and one for freshwater, and can only be spent on projects to improve recreational fishing.

“This workshop will help ensure that recreational fishing remains a sustainable and enjoyable pastime in the future and also provide a great opportunity to share with the local Aboriginal community their knowledge of local cultural fishing and stories”, he said.

Further information about fishing workshops can be found at: http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au/recreational/shared/fishing-workshops.

Location: James King Park, Gol Gol.
Time: 10am – 2pm.

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