When you head off north by boat, through the Broadwater towards Moreton Bay, your first port is the small town of Jacobs Well, a suburb positioned on the delta of the Pimpama River with a small population of a few thousand people.
The Jacobs Well Fishing and Social Club is a small, community-minded club formed and incorporated in 2002 for people to come together for fishing or social events.
In the club’s Constitution, it states: “The objects of the association are to promote and encourage community involvement in recreational fishing, including educating juniors on fishing, boating safety, environmental care and legal fishing requirements as set out by state legislation. The association was formed as a non-profit organisation, with any money raised going back to members and the local community through purchase of assets, various functions and charity events.”
Over the years, the club has been involved in many worthwhile fundraising events, including Shave for a Cure, Mo-vember, Queensland Flood Appeal, Kids with Cancer, and more, as well as assisting members within the community who may be facing hard times. We have also always encouraged junior participation and for several years, have held Take-a-Kid Fishing Days and Junior Angler Educational camps.
Another project we have been involved with for over 15 years is Clean Up The Pin. Sunfish South Moreton handed this job over to us and we were happy to take it on. Our club members (with a little help from the communoty) continue to set out in boats and clean up the surrounding islands, usually resulting in over 1 to 2 tonnes of rubbish collected each year.
As a not-for-profit organisation, we have been in a position over the last few years to be able to donate funds to some of our local institutions, which include Volunteer Marine Rescue Jacobs Well, Rocky Point Rural Fire Brigade, Woongoolba Bowls Club War Memorial, and Pelican and Sea Bird Rescue. The local community and our sponsors support us in our fundraising efforts throughout the year; therefore, we enjoy being able to reciprocate within the community when possible.
The club had 209 financial members at the end of the last financial year. Our junior membership is strong, and we organise many outdoor activities and camps for them. They are a group of kids who will happily come out and pick up the rubbish for Clean Up The Pin. They also run their own sausage sizzle to raise money for extra outings and events.
An accredited First Aid course is funded by the club and offered to members each year, and we are also pleased to see our junior members also participating and attaining their certificates.
On the fishing side we have always been concerned with size and bag limits if we are to see a future in recreational fishing, and for many years we have increased size limits and decreased bag limits for many species targeted in our monthly competitions. Both senior and junior members are encouraged to fish by these rules.
On the social side, our club is a good way to meet new people in the community and we offer social days, such as Barefoot Bowls, Island Camps, A Day at the Races, 10 Pin Bowling, Progressive Dinners, and more. We are heading into our 18th year of fishing and fun!
Facebook.com/Jacobs Well Fishing & Social Club
Editorial by Andy Kancachian
