FieldFiFieelldd&&GamGamee & Game AustraliaAuAussttrralaliiaa AnnualAnAnnnuualalReReppoorrtt Report 201220201122-131313 guide to annual report This is the annual report of Field and Game Australia Inc., for the year ending June 30, 2013. The report provides information for the board, branches and stakeholders of Field and Game Australia Inc. about the organisation’s operations and performance. Field and Game Australia Inc. can not be held liable for any printing errors in this document. acknowledgements Front cover images: Daryl Snowdon, John Elliot, Peter Merritt, FGA staff contents and members. Contributors: Alison O’Connor, Shelley Gough, Tom Chick, Bill Paterson, Noreen Sloan, Rod Drew, Rob Treble, David Hawker. Chairman’s Address ...... 4 Printed by: Willprint, Shepparton. feedback CEO’s Address ...... 6 We would welcome your comments regarding this report. To provide feedback: About FGA ...... 8 Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 5799 0960 Membership ...... 11 Post: Field and Game Australia Inc., PO Box 464, Seymour VIC 3660 Partnerships ...... 12 Highlights ...... 12 FGA Awards ...... 14 Financial Report ...... 15 Clay Target Shooting ...... 18 WET Trust ...... 20 Game Management ...... 22 Conservation Hunting ...... 26 contact field & game australia Address: 65 Anzac Avenue, Seymour (PO Box 464, Seymour VIC 3660) Email: [email protected] Fax: 03 5799 0961 Phone: 03 5799 0960 Website: www.fga.net.au www.facebook.com/fieldandgame www.twitter.com/fieldandgame chairman’s address I’m pleased to be able This year has also seen the launching of the to report that Field Australian National Hunting Archive - a magnificent and Game Australia collection of books, documents and research has had another material on the history of hunting in Australia. This is successful and busy a truly unique collection, assembled over many years year. by Max Downes, who was the first Supervisor in Membership figures what was then the Fisheries and Game Unit of the continue to grow and Victorian Government. Many of these invaluable we have now reached documents would have been lost if it were not for 16,500 members. Our Max’s dedication. The archive is now catalogued and year-on-year growth stored in a manner which will preserve it and allow it has been constant to be accessed by researchers. Also stored with the and reflects our ability collection is the Otto Ruf collection of deer heads. to retain members Our hunters had an excellent duck season this year, and attract new ones. but had to work hard to find quail. The new Bill Paterson FGA continues to have regulations regarding protestors were applied and a high proportion of we did not see the dangerous protestor activity older members, as has been the case for some years which had been occurring in recent years. now, but we are not seeing the drop in memberships The poor behaviour of a few shooters on a private which one might expect from this. wetland near Boort was a great disappointment. We have just completed another membership survey These people shot in a way which is totally contrary and the results indicate that our members are very to the values promoted by Field and Game Australia loyal and stay with us for the length of their shooting and we are developing education programs to life. There is also a high level of trust in the FGA ensure that our messages on ethical, sustainable leadership by the members, which is very hunting are well publicised and understood by all encouraging for us. FGA members and the broader hunting community. This is what will ensure the future of hunting. Our three principal areas of activity - conservation, hunting and clay target shooting - have all had some FGA’s National Carnival at Seymour last year was significant outcomes this another great success, year. “We have just completed with the Seymour Branch hosting the event and The WET Trust has Greenvale Branch working contracted to buy the another membership survey one of the three grounds. third section of the Heart and the results indicate that There were two days of Morass from the Guest competition and great family and will complete our members are very loyal targets, with both this purchase by the end sponsors and competitors of the year. This will add and stay with us for the enthusiastic in their praise a critical 550 acres to the of the event and the work Heart Project and bring length of their shooting life” done to deliver it. the total area owned to 3,200 acres. – Bill Paterson, FGA Chairman In 2013, we will again travel to Kingston SE As well as being a wonderful addition to the wetland, Branch in South Australia and, based on their this additional land will allow much better previous Nationals in 2010, we are looking forward to management of water across its entirety. On the another very enjoyable carnival. other side of Melbourne, the Geelong FGA Branch put a very good case to the Board for the WET Trust FGA has, for several years now, held a cash reserve to purchase the 88 acre property adjacent to specifically to help Branches who are fighting to hold Hospital Swamp. This has been approved and will their shooting ground, or require assistance in give the WET Trust another excellent wetland buying one. In total to date, this fund has paid out or conservation project. leant clubs over $109,000, and this year we were Preserving Cultural Traditions 4 pleased to see Minyip Finally, I would like to purchase their ground and “We continue to maintain thank our hardworking Greenvale successful in the profile of FGA to office staff and my achieving (in court) a dedicated fellow Board reduction in the politicians, both State and members for their restrictions on theirs. commitment and their We continue to maintain Federal, particularly in perseverance. the profile of FGA to Russ Bate will be leaving politicians, both State and making them aware of the Board at this AGM and Federal, particularly in FGA’s long and successful I would like to take this making them aware of opportunity to thank him FGA’s long and successful history in conservation” for his 13 years as a Board history in conservation. To member, 10 of which were this end, we have just – Bill Paterson, FGA Chairman as Chairman. Russ has published our first issue of given an extraordinary Conservation & Hunting, a commitment to FGA and small magazine for distribution to politicians, which typically for him, has indicated that he would be contains stories on our conservation work and the willing to continue “helping out where he can”. I’m political issues which concern us in relation to sure you’ll all join me in saying “thank you Russ”. hunting and gun ownership. Conservation & Hunting will be published twice a year. Bill Paterson So, as you can see, a lot is being done and much has been achieved. - FGA Chairman » fga’s gains respect from government » heart morass purchase FGA’s environmental trust – the Wetlands FGA is a respected voice in political circles at Environmental Taskforce (WET) – secured the both Federal and State level, and continues to third and final stage at Victoria’s iconic Heart be at the forefront of lobbying. FGA’s annual Morass. The first two parcels are already Politicians Clay Target Shoot attracts over 100 under WET’s banner, but this acquisition politicians and staff each year. As well as the gives it control of the flood plain from the sumptuous game food lunch and some friend- Sale Common to Lake Wellington, enabling ly clay target competition amongst their West Gippsland Catchment Management peers, the day is an ideal way for the politi- Authority to manage an environmental water cians to be brought up to date on some of regime without impacting on adjacent land FGA’s activities, including our habitat restora- owners. This project is believed to be the tion projects. Pictured is Nationals Senator largest wetland habitat restoration project in Bridget McKenzie, who is an avid supporter of Australia, and has been completed without FGA’s activities. any support from Government. Preserving Cultural Traditions 5 ceo’s address The last 12 months has agriculture, and to conservation. Stan is the seen FGA go through a Founding Director of Archard's Irrigation, and over period of significant the years has introduced many new technologies in change as new the industry. Stan was also a supporter in the incorporations laws restoration of Hird Swamp (1990) and Richardson's come into effect for Lagoon (2004). the non-profit sector. News of the tragic accident that claimed the life of This, coupled with well-known Colac member, Phil Gaylard was a severe increased reporting, blow to the association. Phil, like his late father compliance and Bruce, was a Field and Game stalwart, who lived and ongoing governance breathed all things hunting, shooting and FGA. Just requirements present prior to his death, Phil completed the Victorian challenges for small Shotgun Education Program (SEP) training to not-for-profits with become one of the select group of FGA members very limited resources. tasked with delivery of the new one-day SEP Rod Drew Next year we will see a “shotgunning” course. greater focus on During July, Steve Hunt commenced with FGA in the Workplace Health and Safety with the introduction role of Stakeholders Services Officer. Steve, through of Harmonisation Legislation. This will impact on all direct contact with branches , fills a major volunteer organisations. communication gap The FGA board has now “The FGA board has now identified by the board that is undertaken a new 5-year becoming increasingly strategic planning project to undertaken a new 5-year important, particularly now identify the challenges facing and in the future where the organisation in a strategic planning project branches are required to changing world and to to identify the challenges undertake greater levels of ensure FGA grows and stays compliance, governance and relevant in the future.