THE Shoalhaven Local Area Command’s highly successfully Cops and Koori Kids Fishing Program reached a major milestone last Wednesday (1 October 2014) with the 200th Aboriginal child participating in the annual fishing workshop.
The program is a partnership between the NSW Police Force, NSW DPI and Shoalhaven PCYC.
Introduced into the Lake Illawarra area in 2000 by local police Inspector and keen fisho, Inspector Steve Johnson, the program has gone from strength to strength. It has gone a long way in breaking down barriers between and strengthening the relationship between the local Aboriginal community and police.
21 local Aboriginal children, and also children from the William Campbell Foundation and Interchange Shoalhaven participated in this year’s fishing workshop. Although the fishing was tough all the kids had a great time, they got to “bling” their fishing rods with fish stickers.
Funding from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust is contributed to running this community engagement program, which also diverts kids away from risk taking behaviours by getting them involved in a fun and healthy recreational activity.
This program is proudly supported by Fishing World Magazine, BCF South Nowra, McGlashan Media and Tweed Bait.
Aunty Deirdre from the National Parks and Wildlife Service shared her knowledge about Aboriginal culture and taught the kids how to make rope using reeds.
Staff from NSW DPI, Shoalhaven Police, Shoalhaven PCYC, and assisted in running the workshop. Organisers were very appreciative of the support provided by NSW Fishcare Program Volunteers from the Jervis Bay and Illawarra Regions. Local Aboriginal community member Vic Judson shared his knowledge with the kids about fishing for luderick.
Inspector Steve Johnson founder of the Program said, “Getting Aboriginal children involved in a pastime which is part of the traditional Aboriginal way of life is important. Fishing has always been an integral part of the cultural and economic life of coastal and inland Aboriginal communities. Fishing provides an important source of food and is an important part of cultural and ceremonial life.”
The program will be taken to the next level on the 15th and 16th of November this year when Shoalhaven police host their first “Deadly Bass Fishing Camp and Competition” at Grady’s Riverside Retreat on the Shoalhaven River. 12 local Aboriginal kids will be getting an Australian Bass Master Class and the next day will compete in a Bass Catch and Release Fishing Competition, which will be run with the assistance of the NSW DPI and Basin Lure and Fly Club Inc.
Also as part of the program participants will be given talks on safe, sustainable and responsible fishing, catch and release techniques and learning how to cast. The kids will also get a chance to sit down with local Aboriginal leaders and elders and will be given mentors from Shoalhaven police and NSW DPI.
Program Coordinator, Aboriginal Issues Officer Inspector Steve Johnson said, “We really appreciate the ongoing support that Fishing World Magazine has provided to our program, they have been with us since the start and we look forward to having them on board for the Deadly Bass Fishing Camp and Competition.“
