Tag: Fishability

Fishability launches new Perth vessel to help people with disabilities enjoy the magic of fishing on the Swan River!

Recfishwest and Fisheries Minister Don Punch joined fishing charity Fishability at the Royal Perth Yacht Club on the Swan River to launch its fantastic, new 8.75m specially adapted boat to give people with disabilities the opportunity to experience fishing.  

The hull of the boat, named the Nev Thomas II, after Fishability founder Nev Thomas, has been funded through a $80,000 grant from the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund.  

Like its predecessor, the Nev Thomas, the spacious pontoon has special adaptations that allow up to eight people with disabilities and their carers to fish comfortably and safely for tailor, bream, flathead, whiting and many other species. 

In some additional great news for this important program, the Minister also announced a further $100,000 in RFIF funding for Fishability to assist with its operational costs over the next two years.

For more than 20 years, Fishability has provided recreational fishing opportunities for children and adults with disabilities and Recfishwest is a keen partner and advocate for the great work the charity does. 

Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said, “Everyone should be able to enjoy the many benefits and great pleasure in wetting a line – including people with disabilities. Recfishwest is delighted to see the Nev Thomas II launched today with the support of the Minister and RFIF funding to help achieve this aspiration. 

“Not only will fishers with disabilities continue to be able to safely enjoy catching the great Metro species on offer here on the city’s doorstep – the original Nev Thomas has been relocated to Albany to help boost Fishability’s program in the Great Southern. 

“We also welcome today’s $100,000 RFIF funding announcement for Fishability over the next two years to help support these fantastic volunteer-run programs.”  

The $50,000 cost of the two 60 horsepower engines, fishing and safety gear and first aid equipment was funded through a Lotterywest grant, while the Royal Perth Yacht Club is kindly penning the vessel free of charge. 

Fishability Chairman Wayne Bowen said “Fishing is a treasured part of our wonderful WA lifestyle, and everyone should be able to enjoy it – including people with disabilities – and that’s exactly what this boat is going to do here in Perth and also indirectly for our Albany program too. 

“We’d like to thank the Royal Perth Yacht Club and all our fantastic partners, supporters and sponsors who help initiatives like this happen.” 

Fisheries Minister Don Punch, who is also the Minister for Disability Services said, “Supporting Fishability helps to enhance the quality of life of the participants and is so important in creating friendships and opportunities for the disability community in Western Australia. 

“It provides a platform to develop life skills and self-confidence and breaks down isolation through inclusive and quality recreational fishing experiences.” 

Want to make a booking with Fishability for yourself or someone you know? Click here! 

Volunteers bringing fishing joy to people with disabilities honoured at Fishability Awards night

Fishing is a treasured lifestyle for more than 700,000 people across WA — and we strongly believe everyone should be able to have access to it, including fishers with disabilities. 

That is why Recfishwest is delighted to see the efforts and feats of 23 volunteers, who are actively delivering fishing programs and activities for people with disabilities across the State, be honoured at the recent annual awards for our partners Fishability. 

“As all fishers in Western Australia experience for themselves, fishing provides enormous mental, physical, wellbeing and social benefits,” Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said.  

“Fishability shares Recfishwest’s goals in ensuring great fishing experiences for all in the WA community, helping more people of all abilities experiencing fishing and all the benefits it provides. The volunteers who were honoured at these awards have done a great job in encouraging more people to venture out on to the water, wet a line and enjoy what fishing has to offer.”  

Some of Fishability’s Unsung Hero Award winners, Robert Hancock (left), Paul Taylor (centre), Timothy Jackson (right) and Caroline Taylor (front).

Fishability recognised the efforts of volunteers from Albany on the south coast up to Geraldton in our Mid-West, with 12 awards and 11 service pins presented. 

The winners of the Fishability Chairman’s Award were Aldo Mendolia and Mark Gwynne, celebrating the 12th year that the pair have organised at least one annual fishing trip for Fishability participants and their carers aboard their premier charting fishing vessel, the Top Gun II — all free of charge.

The Top Gun II vessel is a big hit each year for taking people with disabilities and their carers out to enjoy a day’s fishing for free, thanks to its kind Fishability volunteers Aldo Mendolia and Mark Gwynne. Image: Fishability.

Another recipient of the Fishability Patron’s Unsung Hero Award was Mandurah’s Steve Grandison, who has worked tirelessly in his metal work, anti-fouling, sanding, repainting work and volunteer skippering of the MV Fishability, the 8.5m purpose-built boat specially adapted to accommodate fishers in wheelchairs.  

The MV Fishability is an 8.5m purpose-built boat specially adapted to accommodate fishers in wheelchairs and the recent Fishability Awards honoured Steve Grandison who worked tirelessly in maintaining this vessel for multiple fishing trips.

Recfishwest congratulates all the following Fishability award winners and individuals recognised for their years of service. 

Nev Thomas Award

John May and Ed Szydlowski

 

Chairman’s Award

Aldo Mendolia and Mark Gwynne 

 

Patron’s Unsung Hero Awards 

Geraldton – Chris Wilson 

Perth North – Caroline and Paul Taylor 

Perth South – Bob Hancock 

Mandurah/Waroona – Steve Grandison 

Busselton – Tim Jackson 

Albany – Maureen Hanna 

 

Life Membership

John Staples

 

Five Years of Service

Perth – Rod Baker  

Perth – Mike Concannon  

Geraldton – Lyn Kendle 

Geraldton – David Meder 

Mandurah – Lisette Laval  

Mandurah – Mike Neagle  

Mandurah – Brian Neville  

Mandurah – Gilber Turner 

Busselton – Jim Wright

 

Ten Years of Service  

Mandurah – Ian Metcalf 

Mandurah – Brian Young

 

Recfishwest applauds the Fishability team for everything they do to help more people access and enjoy WA’s amazing fishing, with funds from licence fees helping support and improve fishing access and experiences for people with disabilities through the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund. 

Volunteers rewarded for ensuring fishing is accessible for all

The fantastic team of volunteers at Fishability spend their time improving land-based fishing access and inclusion for people with disabilities across WA.

At the recent Fishability awards night, held at the AQWA, their efforts were commended by Minister Dave Kelly who awarded volunteers and congratulated them on their commitment to ensuring that everybody has the right to experience fishing.

Recfishwest staff were proud to attend the awards night, offering our congratulations to award recipients as well as volunteers, staff and sponsors who commit their time to ensure fishing is accessible for all and who make the Fishability program possible.

2019 Award recipients:

Chairman’s Award – Earlybird Bait

Fishability volunteers spend their time improving land-based fishing access and inclusion for people with disabilities across WA.

The Chairman’s Award was awarded to Earlybird Bait who was recognised for its contribution to Fishability  through the  supply of bait to the Mandurah program over the last seven years. Every six weeks, members from the Mandurah team collect 20 packs of squid and 20 packs of prawn from Earlybird Bait and it is this generosity and focus on community service that is the reason Fishability believe Earlybird Bait is worthy recipients of the Chairman’s Award.

Patron’s Unsung Hero Award – Terry Morey and Graham Welsh from Mandurah

This year’s Patron’s Unsung Hero Award was proudly presented to two worthy recipients.

The first was Terry Morey who was recognised for his contribution to the Fishability Mandurah program over the last four years.  Terry first became involved in the Fishability program as a participant with his support-worker, however, after a short period, Terry asked Dee Castillo, Coordinator of the Fishability Mandurah program if he could be a volunteer instead of a participant.  Dee did not hesitate in agreeing. Terry is happy to perform any job that is asked of him and over the last two years, he has taken on the role as the official photographer and social media coordinator, ensuring every person has media consent – he does an excellent job.  Participants and support-workers look out for him every week.  Terry was the first person to be involved in the School Aged Children’s Program and the teachers look for him for assistance.

Executive Officer Di Bruce, Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly and member for Joondalup Emily Louise Hamilton at the Fishability Awards Night.

“Terry’s contribution to Fishability is outstanding and he thoroughly deserves this award,” says Di Bruce, Fishability Executive Officer.

Equally, the second recipient of the Patrons Unsung Hero Award is Graham Welsh.

This award recognises Graham for his contribution to the Fishability Mandurah program. Since joining in 2014, his input and impact has been outstanding. Graham always attends the activities, rain, hail or shine, bringing the trailer down to wherever the program location is. Graham is always thinking about how to better the Fishability program, how to improve the lay-out of the trailer with its full capacity and how to ensure all the participants have an enjoyable and memorable experience.  He recently made a special stand for an electric rod out of bits and pieces he had lying around for one of the Fishability participants so it was easier for them to fish. Graham is a deserving recipient of the Patrons Unsung Hero Award for his dedication, professionalism and passion for Fishability.

2019 Nev Thomas Award – Michelle Lee from Busselton 

Busselton local Michelle Lee received Fishability’s 2019 prestigious Nev Thomas Award, honouring her commitment to ensuring that everybody has the right to experience fishing.

Years ago, Michelle recognised the gap in recreational activities for children with disabilities in Busselton and the South West.  Michelle, a passionate angler, decided to start Fish Girl Fishing Families, reaching out to over 400 families of children living with disabilities. The weekly activity was solely funded and supported by Michelle with the help of local businesses. Fishability approached Michelle in 2015 after hearing of her program and offered support. The partnership forged has created a phenomenal program delivering recreational fishing opportunities to hundreds of children and adults requiring support in this region.  Michelle is now the Coordinator of the Fishability Busselton program, showing so much empathy and respect to all participants.  All participants love coming to The Deck and Geographe Bay Marina to see Michelle and her team, and have expressed that they cope better both mentally and physically as a result of their participation with the Fishability community.  Michelle is always willing to help others, always with a smile on her face and laughter in her voice. Congratulations Michelle and the Busselton Fishability team.

Read more in Busselton Mail here.

Busselton local Michelle Lee was awarded the 2019 Nev Thomas Award.
Well done to all award recipients.