WELCOME!
Geelong & District Anglers Club & Fish Protection Society Inc.
Established May 1866
The oldest continual fishing club in Australia
(unless you know otherwise)
Monthly general meetings at the clubrooms, a schoolchild friendly 7.00pm, 4th wednesday of the month
All are welcome
160 years and counting
RDB Johnstone, our first chairman
Geelong And District Anglers Club & Fish Protection Society Inc.
The oldest fishing club in Australia
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
The Geelong Advertiser reports details from first meeting on the 7th
Saturday 29th December 1866
the Geelong advertiser reports some details of a meeting and fishing competition.
2026 sees us 160 years young.
Question...
As the club was initially formed under the banner of the fish protection society
(to protect The Bay from over net-fishing)
does this make us one of the oldest conservation bodies in Australia?
At The Clubhouse
In celebration of our 160th birthday, the membership decided to inaugurate a "new" class of membership, Honorary Member. To be offered and awarded to non-members who have contributed to our club, fishing locally or notable achievements locally. (Not necessarily all at the same time!)
We were pleased to offer this to Geoff Wilson , famed locally for his fishing journalism and knowledge as well as Ben Scullin for his work with the VFA and the help he gave us in acquiring grants for clubroom improvements.
We were doubly pleased when they both accepted and became the first names on our new honours board.
Fish Of The Month
David was pleased to grab his first "toothy critter" with this 7 Gill Shark pup from Corio Bay.
Makes a change from the Gummies!
It swam away happy.