Fishcare East Gippsland
Emma Field from Neerim District Secondary College undertook her work experience placement with Fishcare East Gippsland for three days commencing May 8th and ending on May 10th 2017.
Emma is currently undertaking Year 10 studies at Neerim District Secondary College and interested in studying Marine Science when she finishes Secondary College. At the 2016 Bream Classic, Emma and her mum, Donna spoke to the Fishcare East Gippsland Facilitator, Jenny Allitt if there was an opportunity to undertake her placement with Fishcare EG.
With all the paperwork in place in 2017, Emma then commenced her placement with meeting the Fishcare EG volunteers at the May General Meeting at the DELWP Offices in Bairnsdale.
The new state Fishcare Victoria, Co-ordinator, Sarah Van Stokrom had also travelled to East Gippsland and was also present at this meeting to meet the Fishcare EG Volunteers.
Meeting discussions involving youth involvement into the Fishcare Program and creating a Youth Strategy was gladly welcome by Emma and she actively contributed to the discussion and gave a valuable insight from a younger perceptive. At this meeting, Emma was given a clear understanding in how non- profit environmental organisations conducted their business and how decisions were made by the Committee governing the program.
The following day, Emma and Sarah attended a training session as Fishcare EG had recently recruited 2 valuable Fishcare Volunteers and training is essential for new volunteers to understand the Policies and Procedures that govern the organisation as well as understanding their value as a volunteer and what the organisation obligations are in place to look after them.
On the final day, Emma assisted the Fishcare facilitator in two fishing workshops, commencing with the Coastal Kinder program with Lakes Entrance Child Care services in the morning.
The children attending, learnt about the different native fish that live around them and the fishing rules, how to handle fish and release them safely back into the water to live another day. They then completed the fishy big puzzles and learnt about the fish whilst putting these puzzles together and Emma helped one group put the big fish bream puzzle together which the children enjoyed.
In the afternoon, Nagle College, Year 10 Outdoor Education students had a fishing excursion after having a class incursion a week before with Jenny. Both Emma and Sarah attended this session along the Mitchell River with Dusky flathead and small bream being caught on a Gippsland typical warm autumn afternoon.
It was a pleasure to have Emma on-board with the Fishcare East Gippsland Program and we wish her the best with her future studies and goals in life.
Jenny Allitt
East Gippsland Facilitator
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