Georges River (Sydney) celebrates Boaters, Fishers in Estuary Open Day

by David Kuhn on 6 Oct 2011 The first Georges River Estuary Open Day will provide a fun and informative experience for river users.

The Lower Georges River Sustainability Initiative is hosting the Estuary Open Day from 9:30 am to 2 pm on Saturday 29 October, at the St George Motor Boat Club in Sans Souci.

The purpose of the Estuary Open Day is to bring water lovers of all types down to the Georges River Estuary in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere, and to learn about things you can do to preserve this beautiful river. There will be displays by boating and fishing groups, environmental education and river conservation programs, which showcase what’s happening in recreation and conservation on the Georges River.

The Open Day will feature fishing clinics by local fishing celebrity Col Buckley. Fishing clinics will include Tips for Safe and Sustainable Boating, How to Catch More Fish in the Georges River, and Tackle Tips for Safe and Sustainable Fishing.

Brad Warren, a pro fisher from the Sydney Fish Markets will provide demonstrations of simple ways to cook local seafood.

Other fun activities include a guessing competition, a photo competition, native animal displays and demonstrations with the critters which are used as water quality indicators.

Local marinas like many businesses these days are conscious of the need to improve their environmental management.

'A healthy waterway provides a better recreational environment for water based activities including boating and fishing, and this in turn supports the economic, employment and social activities associated with marinas,' said Colin Bransgrove, Executive Officer of the Marina Industries Association of Australia which delivers the Clean Marinas program.

Entries in the 'Life on the Georges' digital Photography Contest will be on display and winners announced in the Nature and People categories. For more information on the photo contest, contact info@georgesriver.org.au or call David Kuhn on 9330 6010.

In addition there will be displays by boating and fishing groups, environmental education and river conservation programs, which showcase what’s happening in recreation and conservation on the Georges River.

Exhibitors at the Open Day will include Australian Wildlife Display, local fishing clubs, Underwater Sydney, Sea Net, Fishcare Volunteers, Marine Rescue NSW, the Georges River Combined Councils’ Committee, Australian Seabird Rescue, Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority and many more.

The LGRSI is a partnership between Hurstville City, Kogarah City, Rockdale City and Sutherland Shire councils, the Sydney Metropolitan catchment Authority and the Georges River Combined Councils’ Committee, through assistance from the NSW Environmental Trust.

For more information on the Estuary Open Day contact Col Freeman at phone: 9562 1703 or cfreeman@rockdale.nsw.gov.au.