History | Whitsunday Game Fish Club

This history page is really dedicated to the past members that initially started the Whitsunday Game Fish Club. These are the stories on where it all began, and we have this fantastic opportunity to expose this information and stories for generations to come so it is never lost.

Here is some of the history we have gathered from past members, kindly shared through life member Ashley Moore.

We hope everyone enjoys what we have uncovered so far and the opportuntiy to reflect on the clubs rich history or earlier years.

If any past members have old photos, stories or any other interesting memories from the previous years, we would love to hear from you. Please feel free to reach out and help us continue building and preserving the history of the Whitsunday Game Fish Club.

Ashley Matthews

President

Where it began.

It all started in 1979 when a local refrigeration mechanic, Gerry Hell, who had recently worked and game fished in New Guinea, invited charter fishing boat owner, Trevor Jones for coffee and asked his thoughts on starting a Game Fish Club in Airlie Beach.

Trevor could not say yes quick enough and after a few conversations with G.F.A.A and Q.G.F.A. to find out what they needed to do, soon they were off recruiting members and potential sponsors.

The inaugural meeting was held on 17 July 1979 at the old Cannonvale School where 22 new members elected a Committee with Gery Hell as President, as it was his idea and Trevor Jones as Vice President with 6 committee members to assist.

Affiliation to G.F.A.A., Q.G.F.A, and I.G.F.A. was soon sought and granted, a Constitution was adopted and things were moving ahead swiftly.

Game Fishing was new to most members, so “how to” workshops were held, explaining G.F.A.A. rules, bait and lure rigging, game fishing videos were shown and knowledge passed on. An enthusiasm grew along with membership.

Lots of fishing activity culminated in the first Gala Presentation Dinner in July 1980 at Wildlife Restaurant, where trophies and awards were presented to many winners. A great night was enjoyed by many members and their families and friends.

The Club’s first AGM was held later that month and Trevor Jones was elected President, Gerry Hell – Vice President, Kerry Simmonds – Secretary, Rod Sheffield – Treasurer, Jim Dingwell – Weighmaster, with Tony Evans, Ted Kennedy, Peter McKean and Kevin Bowe, elected as Committee Members. Peter Krause was elected Representative of A.N.S.A. {Australian National Sportfishing Association}. Many nominations were put forward for Committee positions as everybody wanted to be involved.

The Club stormed ahead and the first Tournament was organised for December 1980 with the idea of attracting game boats returning south from the Cairns marlin season.

The resulting outcome exceeded all expectations with teams nominating from all over the country and one from NZ to contest the 5 day event.

The tournament was based at the Whitsunday Village Resort, now Magnums and on day 1, a radio call was made to Rockhampton Coastal Radio and they asked them to phone a message to Trevor Jones’s wife Joy, who was organising things ashore to spread the word that some great catches were coming to the Weigh-in, including Sailfish, large Spanish Mackerel, Tuna, Mahi Mahi and a couple of large sharks. Joy phoned Ellie at the Shute Harbour Wharf Travel Shop who met the cruise boats returning from day trips and told their guests of the weigh-in at the Village from 5pm – 6pm.

Hundreds of people turned up, blocking off the main street, resulting in the local police coming down to let the traffic flow through (what a sight and nobody seemed to get upset}. After the Weigh-in was over, someone spotted a young lad lying in the creek bed, adjacent to the Weigh-in and found out he was standing on the bridge handrail to get a better view and fell off badly injuring his ankle. A good samaritan drove him to Proserpine Hospital for treatment, but he wasn’t too bad and had a story to tell his mates.

The first Tournament was a gigantic success and really put the Whitsundays on the game fishing map. It took ages to get the grin off Trevor and the Committee faces and it was a real credit to Trevor and Joy and the whole Committee that their first attempt at a Tournament was a huge success.

Jonesy remained at the helm for the next decade or so, with Joy at his side along with various Committee members. The Club grew to be one of the largest in Queensland and with tournaments and monthly rallies well attended and some outstanding fishing and camaraderie among members everybody was enjoying themselves. It was a good time.

Mal Draper took over for the next 9 or 10 years after Trevor stepped down as President and with wife Carol as Secretary, continued the success with the help of Committee members. They kept the enthusiasm going and with Carol continually knocking on local sponsors’ doors, the competition prizes remained of a high standard.

Over the following years, there were many new Committees who added many events to the calendar, including a 3 day mid year Tournament over the Queens Birthday weekend in June, small inter-club competitions, a special tournament for boats under 8 metres in length only, social events with other sporting groups in local parks and on beaches, dress-up dinners in local restaurants and were all well attended by members and friends.

Those years saw many Qld, Aust and world records set or broken in various line classes in Whitsunday waters in the men’s, ladies and junior categories, along with many different species tagged and released for research.

Monthly meetings were often held in private homes in those days while the Club looked for somewhere to build a Clubhouse. Foundation Member, Jeff Law went to Council with the idea of leasing a plot of land near the Sailing Club that the W.G.F.C. could share with Air Sea Rescue. Somehow the paperwork got lost and the President of A.S.R. said the area did not suit their needs anyway, so back to the drawing board. Jeff, not to be deterred, approached Council again with the idea of a lease on a small parcel of land near the old Cannonvale stone jetty. He was told they would consider the proposal if it included A.S.R. and the newly formed Whitsunday Power Boat Club (W.P.B.C).

Jeff Law, representing W.G.F.C., Trevor Jones, W.P.B.C. and John Harper from A.S.R. signed the application and it was formally presented to Council and later the Deed of Management was granted to the 3 clubs.

At the same time, Ansett Airlines had an application submitted for a much larger area at the same site to build a resort to compliment their Resort on Hayman Island. Unfortunately the Club’s lease was right in the middle of the area they needed for their plans.

Council virtually showed no interest in the problem and suggested sorting it out between both parties. A spokesman from Ansett met with the representatives of the 3 clubs and asked them to relinquish their lease to allow Ansett to proceed, no financial compensation was offered.

“Red rag to a bull”, or in this case, 3 bulls!!!

After a few heated meetings, Ansett offered a plot of reclaimed land, opposite the Cannonvale Police Station and Council stepped in and obtained a substantial bond from Ansett to build a boat ramp and car/boat trailer park adjacent to the land.

The reclaimed land required a 50mpa floating concrete slab to be poured before building could commence at a cost of $70,000 which Ansett refused to pay.

A legal battle followed and the “3 bulls” threatened to expose Ansett through national media for their unwillingness to assist the three community organisations and also putting boating safety at risk in the Whitsundays. They finally came to the party and paid for the concrete and a new Deed of Management was signed by Jeff Law, John Harper and Trevor Jones on 7 May 1993.

A.S.R. and the Coast Guard joined forces and became Volunteer Marine Rescue Whitsunday (V.M.R.W} and soon the Power Boat Club folded. A new Deed was drawn up and granted with 2 entity’s names being the Whitsunday Game Fish Club Inc. and Volunteer Marine Rescue Whitsunday Inc. and remains that way today,

Queensland Marine Rescue, Q.M.R. took over duties from V.M.R. in 2025, but V.M.R’s name remains on the Deed.

The building known today as the Whitsunday Marine Club, started construction at an initial cost of $140,000 and Club Members, Mal and Carol Draper, along with Jeff Law went guarantors for the loan, such was their belief in the project and the club.

After completion, V.M.R’s needs grew and a small radio room was erected on the first floor, years later with the help of Government grants, this was extended to provide a Training Room, Meeting Rooms, storage, and an upgraded Communications room, along with a small kitchen and bathroom.

The Marine Club has become a popular venue for weddings, family celebrations, a meeting place for community clubs and a happy home for W.G.F.C. and V.M.R all with a magnificent view over the Whitsundays.

There have been many dedicated individuals in the W.G.F.C, over the years who gave their time and sometimes money to get the club where it is today and their legacy will live on, hopefully to provide the opportunity for new committees to carry on the good work so those families who wish to become involved in the great outdoor sport of game fishing and enjoy themselves in a fun club environment. and we thank them wholeheartedly.

Ashley Moore

Life Member WGFC

First Committee 1980.

From far left Peter Cruise ANSA Rep, Rod Sheffield Treasurer, Jimmy Dingwall Weighmaster, Kevin Bowe committee member, Ted Kennedy, Gerry Hell Vice President, Trevor Jones President, Kerry Simmons Committee member.

Back Row Tony Evans, Peter McKean.

Weighstation at Wanderers.

Sailfish Weighed by Keith Wilson

51.5kg on 10kg 3/12/1980

Game Chair setup at Wanderers poolside!

Game Boats moored up “Golden Plover” (sailboat for cannon start) vessle “Wahoo” on Left and “Bluefin” on right, early eighties.

Trevor Jones (Left) Past President and Gerry Hell (Right) Foundation President.

Tournament bus photo compliments from sponsors TAA returning from the first Whitsunday Game Fish Tournament 1980. Industry Legend Jack Erskine in the middle of a variety of faces from the club.