Geelong claims oldest fishing club in Australia

Geelong claims oldest fishing club in Australia © VRFish - Victorian Recreational Fishing Peak Body

Geelong and District Anglers Club have claimed they are the oldest fishing club not only in Victoria but in Australia. So, they’ve thrown down the gauntlet and want to know: can you prove your fishing club is older?

Some history of the Geelong And District Anglers Club & Fish Protection Society Inc has recently come to light.

Until recently when Ken Alford arrived at the club with a previously “thought lost” box of club papers we were all happy with the knowledge that the club was founded in 1928.

However, membership records and meeting minutes in the box showed a history that went 20 odd years earlier to 1906. This (apologies if I’m wrong) we believed made us the oldest fishing club in Victoria and the second oldest in Australia.

Our secretary, Brian wasn’t satisfied and contacted The Geelong Heritage Centre, where after some little research Sam (thank you Sam) found evidence in the local newspaper The Geelong Advertiser of even more history. Details below from “The Addy”

A Timeline from the Geelong Advertiser:

• Monday 14th December 1863
  A fisherman writes to the Geelong Advertiser expressing the need for a fisherman’s association.

• Saturday 5th May 1866
  Meeting of support to form the Geelong Anglers Protection Society

• Tuesday 8th May 1866
  Details from first meeting

• Saturday 29th December 1866
  Some details of a meeting and fishing competition.

We will be celebrating our 160th anniversary next May!

The gauntlet is thrown down, the challenge is on. If you can prove your fishing club is older, please do, and please be sure to let us know.

Visit the Geelong Anglers Club to learn more about the club, their history and their membership.

Read more here...