The President of the Australian Freshwater Fishermen’s Assembly, Frank Jones, has announced that the organisation has been finally wound up.
The AFFA was formed in 1966 to tackle issues of a national concern that crossed state and territory borders. The organisation combined the efforts of the Victorian FlyFishers Association (VFFA), Cooma branch of the Monaro AcclimatisationSociety (MAS), the Wangaratta Fly Fishing Club, VictorianPiscatorial Council, Monaro Acclimatisation Society and the NSW Institute of Freshwater Fishermen.
The Assembly became the peakadvisory body to the Australian Government on freshwater fishing inAustralia.
In a letter sent to past members in April, Jones eulogised the organisation.
“A list of names of those that attended the initial meeting at Buckenderra back in 1966 reads like a who’s who of Australian freshwater fishing at that time. The legendary John Sautelle, Did Gadsby, Ron Mackenzie, Norman Gibb, Don Gillies, Dr John Halliday, Fred Hall, Alf Probert, Bill Rushton, Ash Garrard, Aub Hosking and Jim Dyball to name a few.
“With the birth of RecFish, much of the work of the two organisations was being duplicated and funding and support divided. Hence it was with a feeling of inevitability that the Assembly should step aside and make way for the new, united body of RecFish that combines the interests of both fresh and salt water fishermen.”
Jones concluded, “I wish to thank all those associated with the Assembly for having the courage of their convictions to voice their concerns over the issues associated with the birthright of future generations of Australians”.
