Vol. No. Vol. 2318No. 34 27
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Wednesday, January 2016 Wednesday, March13, 3, 2021
SCENE IS SET: Natimuk’s Cody Haustorfer’s passion for storytelling and capturing ‘real emotion’ in video has prompted him to start a project to create a 1940s-style feature-length film. Natimuk and district will be used as a primary backdrop for the film, drawing on elements such as broadacre cropping fields and Mount Arapiles. Story, page 14. Picture: PAUL CARRACER
Hunt for top fishing prize H
BY DEAN LAWSON
orsham’s annual 44th Labour Day fishing competition this weekend appears likely to reach its maximum number of 1000 entries.
Entries are again flowing in after easing off during the state’s five-day ‘circuit-breaker’ lockdown as people from across the region and beyond explore outdoor family recreation opportunities. One of the biggest lures to this year’s contest, which has dramatically transformed to meet exhaustive
COVID-19 guidelines, is that anyone who enters the annual Wimmera River event can win the major prize – regardless of whether they catch a fish. The event’s major prize has traditionally gone to the angler with the heaviest eligible fish. Contest chairman Ray Howard said the change, which involved an overall entry draw, was based on recognition that people who simply took part were what the contest was all about. “As an inland fishing contest the chances are the relative fish catch will never be that high and we get a lot of feedback from people who come
back year after year but don’t catch anything,” he said. “Everyone now has the chance. You don’t have to catch a fish, you just have to enter to win an overall draw.” First prize this year is a Webbcon Marine boat, trailer and motor package, which headlines a list, that despite an overall competition contraction, still offers more than $30,000 in prizes. Mr Howard reassured angling purists, who used the event as a test of piscatorial skill, that they remained an important part of the contest appeal. “We have major prizes up for grabs
in four species categories – redfin, yellowbelly, catfish and silver perch – each based on the length of fish caught,” he said. “We will also continue to have a carp competition, but we’ve had to make some rule changes here as well. “And you know what, as a point of interest, while a yellowbelly is still likely to be the biggest fish caught in the event, I reckon the longest fish caught could well be a catfish.”
Text catch
To meet strict COVID-19 guidelines, unlike usual years there will be
no stewards to collect eligible fish to a marshalling area for weighing. Instead, anglers will have a registration card with their number and when they catch a fish will take a photograph of their catch with a measure and card. They will then text the image to officials and release the fish back into the river. There will be no traditional presentation event or official gathering area at Sawyer Park and while camping opportunities remain, there will be restrictions involving movement of people. Continued page 3
IN THIS ISSUE • Green light for Stawell Gift crowds • Feast to return in 2022 • Cricket finals artisanHP 0897
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