Local Information &
Out of School Activities
Ritchies
Recreational fishing in Victoria
The Victorian Government is proactive in encouraging all Victorians to fish, specifically focusing on the involvement of women, children, and people from diverse backgrounds. We educate fishers and the community about responsible fishing practices and promote stewardship of our precious aquatic and animal resources via our Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre, Education and Engagement Unit and funding of Fishcare Victoria Inc.
Recreational fishing offers terrific opportunities for people of all ages, skills, abilities, and backgrounds to enjoy a fun and healthy activity and build social connections. Our aboriginal heritage is also deeply linked to fishing, with thousands of years of indigenous fishing history in Victoria.
The VFA run a range of free community fishing festivals across the State, stock 10 million fish into Victoria’s waterways each year, including a range of threatened species, install fishing and boating infrastructure to improve access, install recreational fishing reefs and improve habitat and undertake important research into Victoria’s many different species of seafood.
For more information about the VFA, recreational fishing opportunities in Victoria and/or a potential future career in natural resource management for your students, please visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au.
Little Anglers Hub
The VFA has created the kid-friendly Little Anglers Hub website (www.vfa.vic.gov.au/littleanglerkit), written specifically for children with useful information, instructional videos about how to safely set up and use the kits, being safe around the water, as well as advice on where to go fishing in Victoria.
There is an electronic copy of the Kids Guide to fishing that was included in the kits available on this site, both in English and five other languages.
Key Safety Messages
Going fishing is awesome and so much fun! When it comes to fishing, it’s important to stay safe, especially around water!
Students can keep their fishing safe by:
- going with a friend;
- being careful with hooks and lures;
- looking behind before casting;
- handling fish carefully;
- being conscious of the dangers associated with water;
- protecting yourself against the elements (sunscreen, drinking water);
- letting someone know before you go; and
- washing your hands after handling lead sinkers, especially before eating or drinking.
The link below is to a short safety video that is posted on the Little Anglers hub website, reinforcing the above safety messages to students.
https://youtu.be/drPLpKXpC3w
Please note that fishing equipment is not for human consumption. If swallowed, hooks can cause serious harm and lead sinkers can be toxic. Young children and those with some disabilities including pica disorder are especially vulnerable and should be supervised whilst fishing. If a child does swallow a hook or lead sinker, seek medical assistance immediately - don’t wait for it to pass.
If you would like any additional information about this exciting commitment, please visit the Victorian Fishing Authority’s Little Angler Kits FAQs for parents, located on the VFA’s website (www.vfa.vic.gov.au).
To assist your decision making in relation to your child's education for 2025 and beyond, please find below a link to the Feb 2024 edition of the Secondary Education Guide.
CLICK HERE:
https://victoriaschoolguides.starcommunity.com.au/...
What is Saver Plus?
Saver Plus is a program for people on lower incomes. It’s about bolstering their financial skills, so they can develop (and keep) good savings habits.
Since 2003, Saver Plus has supported more than 58,000 people to start saving. It’s helped overcome the barriers around education expenses. And it’s set them up for a brighter future.
85% of our past participants said they’re better prepared to manage environmental changes (such as cost of living pressures or unexpected bills) since completing Saver Plus.
Saver Plus was developed by ANZ and Brotherhood of St Laurence, Berry Street is proud to be the delivering partner for the Saver Plus program in your school's area.
We try to make sharing this information with your families as easy as possible, with a few different options for your team to utilise.
I have attached 5 different flyers that can be utilised in your school newsletter, please feel free to rotate these images over the coming weeks.
I have also provided social media tiles with that can be paired together for full details.
There is a hive of activity happening through social media around Saver Plus, I have provided the links to ABC News, Beanstalk Mums and Channel 9's Today Show and encourage you to have a look at some of these tips and tricks to share with your school community.
Aussie parents to spend estimated $2.5 billion on back to school New data reveals just how much it'll cost setting your kids up for the new school year |
https://beanstalkmums.com.au/life/money/school-lunchboxes/
School lunchboxes on a budget: Tips from a money expert - Beanstalk Mums Money expert, Tina McElligott from SaverPlus, shares tips on how to save on school lunchboxes to lower the dreaded household bills. |
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-11/back-to-school-cost-of-living-pressures/103301306
'We're having to penny pinch': Back-to-school costs are adding up, but here are five tips to help The start of a new school year can be a costly time for families, especially as cost-of-living pressures continue, but there are some ways families can save on essentials. |
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or require any addition information. I look forward to working with you all to help make this back to school time easier for your families
Kind regards,
Bek Warrener
Saver Plus – Community Liaison | Berry Street
110 Wyndham Street, Shepparton Victoria 3630 | Yorta Yorta Country
t: 03 5822 8100 | m: 0417 307 406 | f: 03 5822 8199
e: rwarrener@berrystreet.org.au
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