The new Victorian Premier has visited Geelong for the first time since stepping into the top-job, announcing a new fishing initiative to kids at Herne Hill Primary.
Jacinta Allan greeted Grade Five students at the school on Friday morning, to launch the $1.5 million Little Anglers program aimed at encouraging fishing from a young age.
Students at Herne Hill are among the first in the state to get access to the free Little Angler Kits, with the 95,000 kits set to be distributed to almost 2,000 other schools in Victoria.
Ms Allan said the local school was a good place to kick off the program, given the abundance of fishing spots across the region.
“Geelong is blessed to obviously have the beautiful bay and the ocean as well as the river,” she said.
“But right across the state there are many inland waterways, lakes and rivers alongside the ocean where people can go, drop in a line, enjoy the outdoors with family and friends.
“It’s great for your physical health, it’s great for your mental health and to be getting out and about.
“That is why the government is rolling out, we’re delivering an election commitment to roll out little angler kits to Grade Five students right across the state.
“This is to not just encourage young kids to go and try fishing, it’s to make it affordable and accessible.”
The Victorian Fisheries Authority is leading the rollout, with more Little Angler Kits set to be distributed to schools throughout Spring.
The kits feature a fishing rod and reel with line, tackle box, and an eight-page Kids’ Guide to Fishing.
