The Coomera Waters Fishing Club (CWFC) was founded on 1 July 2018 by Brett Hoyle, a keen fisherman and new resident of Coomera Waters. After moving to the area, Brett felt that he was missing a sense of community in the district and, motivated by his passion for fishing, he decided to gather some interest for a fishing club by hosting an ‘expression of interest’ meeting in January 2018.
“I found that I was living in a residential area, rather than a community,” says Brett. “At the first public meeting, I was surprised how many locals felt the same as I did.”
It was at this meeting that significant interest was gathered and the committee members were elected, providing the funding to then move forward and open the club.
Since then, the club has grown consistently at an estimated rate of 6% per month, with the members comprising of not only men, but women and children making up for almost half. “The committee members have been the backbone behind the club’s growth whilst many other fishing clubs decline,” says Brett. The club is popular among the residents of Coomera district and offers themselves, their families and friends, an opportunity to meet and enjoy one of Australia’s favourite recreational activities. “This fishing club is not just about fishing, but focuses on family and being part of a community,” says Brett.
“In today’s world, we are all too busy to say hello to our neighbours. Many of us are too busy to even spend time with our children,” says Brett. “By joining the CWFC, you get to meet your fellow likeminded neighbours as well as spend quality time with your family. We are a family-orientated club with the passion to share information on fishing, including how and where to fish. Being able to sit and talk to people who know what they are good at and having an opportunity to learn.”
Social activities are also a big part of this club’s culture. On the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30pm, you can find the members sipping on a cold beverage and talking all things fish at the family-friendly Coomera Waters Tavern. Fishing competitions are held on the second weekend of the month where both points and prizes are to be won. “In our first year we gave away a couple of thousand dollars worth of prizes, which were donated by our sponsors,” says Brett.
As a member, you can also look forward to the club’s annual Christmas party and celebratory end of year presentation. Away fishing trips are also on the cards. This year, the club will be hosting four “bucket events” where prizes are to be won for the most amount of fish caught “to encourage everyone to get out there and fish,” says Brett. “Competitions are about comradery and friendliness, not just about winning.”
Giving back is also a priority for these members. The club recently organised a Ladies Competition Day where they raised over $3000 in funds for ‘The ManKind Project’, a not-for-profit organisation which aims to empower men of all ages, backgrounds and religious beliefs to find and maintain their life’s mission.
As a not-for-profit club, membership is kept to a minimum and their aim is to give back to members as much as possible. The club is kindly supported by many local businesses together with Mark Berg’s Addict Tackle and Wilson Fishing.
Membership for an adult costs $80, a second adult is $20 and children are $10 each with a total of $120 for a family. This includes all fishing competitions, sponsor logo giveaways, and a lucky door ticket at club meetings with up to $400 in prizes to be won. The club is suitable for all ages and open to anyone who wishes to join a family-orientated fishing club and be part of a community.
If you’d like to become a member, you can download the club’s membership form from the CWFC Facebook group page @Coomera Waters Fishing Club Inc., or send an email to Scott at cwfcqld@gmail.com. Alternatively why not pop in and meet the friendly bunch for an afternoon drink at the Coomera Waters Tavern on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm. All are welcome.
By Sonia Wilkinson
(Published in the October-December 2019 edition)
