90 second statement – Bundaberg VMR Fishing Classic

Mr PITT: Over the weekend, between 28 and 30 June, Volunteer Marine Rescue Bundaberg had their Family Fishing Classic, and it was an absolute cracker again. Now in its 17th year, it’s gone from 400 participants to more than a thousand. It is their biggest fundraising event. VMR Bundaberg actually celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2022. It’s incredibly important that they continue to find that support in an area that’s renowned for its access to the ocean, to great fishing and to great ocean sports.

The classic started in 2006, initially to raise funds for a new vessel, but now they’re giving boats away. Congratulations to Kevin Charteris. He won one of the prizes—a big boat. Good luck to Kevin. I saw a photo of a group who caught a group of big reds. We’re not talking about members of the Communist party; we’re talking about red emperors, the best table fish in the world. They are cracking eating and absolutely fabulous. If you have a look at the live scoreboard, you can see progress—junior, senior, live or dead. I’m not talking about the participants but the fish that they bring in. It can be bream, whiting, flathead or trumpeter. The list includes tuna, parrot, snapper, red emperor, sweetlip and coral trout in the open section. Of course, it’s very strongly contested.

Congratulations to the sponsors: Tayco; Seven News; Tackle World, Bundaberg; Bank of Queensland, Bundaberg; and Boats Galore. There are many more. I can’t get through them all, but thanks for your support of VMR Bundaberg. It’s an incredibly important volunteer group.