SEVENTY trophy trout (10lb rainbows from Dutton Trout Hatchery, Ebor) were released into Lake Wallace at Wallerawang in late September. Ray Tang, Peter Drinkall and others in the Central Acclimatisation Society (CAS), Wallerawang Branch, organised the event in conjunction with Fisheries.
Ray Tang, from CAS Wallerawang, and disabled angler Hamish Murray from Blacktown’s Independent Living Centre, NSW, at the release.
Notable attendees were NSW Fisheries Ministers Niall Blair, John Ajaka (Minister for Disability Services) and Paul Toole (local MP from Bathurst), Lithgow mayor Maree Statham, Peter Turnell and Cameron Westerway from Fisheries.
The primary objective was to publicise Wallerawang as a ‘hub’ for fly fishing, emphasising access for disabled anglers and increased tourism for the area.
John Ajaka made the trip to Wallerawang to announce that up to $200,000 will be invested to make it easier for anglers with a disability to access some of the state’s best fishing spots.
The partnership will involve $100,000 of direct funding for the development of specialised amenities and workshops to give anglers with a disability equal access to popular fishing spots.
A further $100,000 will be provided through the Recreational Fishing Trusts, in consultation with the Advisory Council on Recreational Fishing, for community groups and individuals across the state to make expressions of interest for funding for projects or programs that enhance fishing access for people with limited physical ability.
