OneSteel casts support for kids crabbing day

Second free day of fishing for kids a great success

The Whyalla Jetty came alive over the March long weekend as a big mob of young fishers gathered for the second annual Free Kids Crabbing Day.

The Whyalla Sports Fishing Club once again played a central role in coordinating the event as a capped number of 150 participants registered for the day that provided free expert crabbing tips, crabbing gear and competition prizes while the club and a host of volunteers explained sustainability practices including crab size restrictions and safety advice.

We couldn’t do this event without the magnificent support we get from the Whyalla Community, including Council, local businesses and all the volunteers

Matt Vasey

With financial support from the Whyalla City Council and in-kind support from OneSteel Manufacturing, Whyalla Sea Rescue and the Whyalla Surf Life Saving Club, along with many prize sponsors, it was a community event that is growing quickly.

Fishing club treasurer and OneSteel Manufacturing Iron Ore Superintendent Production Planning, Matt Vasey said the second Free Kids Crabbing Day had been an outstanding success that built on last year’s inaugural event.

“It was a great day for the kids, families, community and our club,” Matt said.

“Every participant took home some crabbing gear to go fishing with the family and some even scored enough crabs for dinner that night.

“It was just fantastic see kids outside and enjoying some healthy, family orientated activity in their local area.”

Each participant walked away with a generous bundle of free gear to continue their fishing adventures including a crab net, bucket and crab measure, a Rec Fish SA tackle box and Hungry Jacks voucher while the whole family was able to enjoy a free barbecue lunch on the day.

Matt thanked the Whyalla City Council for its financial backing, the businesses that provided in-kind support and those that provided prizes which included Spencer Gulf Adventures, Tackleworld Port Augusta and Port Lincoln, Kmart, Hungry Jacks, Pets Domain, Middleback Art Centre and Let’s Fish Australia, Neptune Tackle, Recfish SA and PIRSA. Other supporters included Carve & Cut Meats, Bakers Delight, Coles, Woolworths and Signarama.

“We couldn’t do this event without the magnificent support we get from the Whyalla Community, including Council, local businesses and all the volunteers,” Matt said.

“This year’s event again was as an example of genuine community inclusion with children in residential care, those living with disabilities and just kids brand‑new to crabbing but eager to learn.

“Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this year’s Crabbing Day a success, it was a day that truly reflected the spirit of Whyalla.”

Winners on the day were: Geordie, Jenna and Hendrix while four participants won door prizes in a free raffle.

“It was just fantastic see kids outside and enjoying some healthy, family orientated activity in their local area

Matt Vasey

Those keen to keep fishing are encouraged to join the Whyalla Sport Fishing Club. Family memberships start from $35 and the club offers a range of events throughout the year along with the WSFC clubhouse at the Whyalla Marina.

Main picture and top right: 1st prize winner Geordie with Stephen Atkinson, Matt Vasey and Alicia Bolitho. Centre right: Competition participants enjoy a free barbecue.Above right: The weigh-in station on the Whyalla Jetty with Stephen Atkinson (fishing club president), Chris Wagner (volunteer), Matt Vasey (fishing club treasurer) and Alicia Bolitho (Tackleworld).

Winners

Hendrix – Tackleworld prize pack

Geordie – Spencer Gulf Adventures tour (voucher for a family of 4 boat tour) and Tackleworld prize pack

Jenna – Tackleworld prize pack

Door Prizes

There were 4 door prizes drawn via raffle tickets (names not recorded):

1 × Kmart voucher

1 × family movie ticket pass

2 × fish aquariums

Financial Sponsors

Whyalla City Council

Prize Sponsors / Door Prize Sponsors

Spencer Gulf Adventures – family of 4 boat tour voucher
Tackleworld Port Augusta & Port Lincoln – donated first, second, and third prizes
Kmart – $25 voucher
Hungry Jack’s – 150 Whopper vouchers
Pets Domain – 2 fish aquariums
Middleback Art Theatre – 4 movie tickets
Let’s Fish Australia – Tacklebox for each child (distributed through Tackleworld Port Lincoln)

Crabbing Gear Sponsors

Neptune Tackle – crab nets, additional rope, and bait cages (30% discount supplied through Tackleworld)
Spencer Gulf Adventures – bait donation
Recfish SA – buckets
PIRSA – Crab measurers and information on fishing rules and regulation

Discount Sponsors

Carve & Cut Meats – 50 sausages donated; discounted remainder for the free BBQ
Bakers Delight – bread donation
Coles – $50 voucher spent on fruit boxes for kids
Woolworths – $50 voucher spent on fruit boxes and soft drinks; also donated apples and bananas for kids
Signarama – 10% discount on stickers