After more than three decades at the heart of the local fishing community, the Lake Tyers Beach Angling Club officially disbanded late last year — but their legacy will live on through the next generation.
In a generous act of community spirit, the club has donated the remaining balance of its bank account – $5,318.32 – to the Lakes Entrance Girl Guides, a group they’ve had a long-standing relationship with.
Founded in the early 1990s, the angling club held its final meeting in October last year. The club was once a vibrant part of the community, boasting more than 100 members at its peak.
Members initially gathered for weigh-ins at the playground by the lake near the tavern, before relocating to a new clubhouse opposite Toorloo Arm Primary School in 2001.
But as with many community organisations, membership gradually declined — a trend hastened by the impacts of COVID-19 and shifting generational interests.
“People just aren’t interested in clubs anymore,” angling club treasurer, Pete Schmidt, said.
“Young people want to fish with their phones now – they don’t want to go to meetings.”
“Social media has really changed things,” vice president Ray Schmidt said.
“People used to join clubs to meet others and learn from them. Now they just look it up online. It’s sad, really – social media has a lot to answer for.”
The decision to close was not made lightly. As the club’s committee struggled to find new volunteers to take on key roles, the same few members kept things running.
“We’d been playing musical chairs for years to fill the committee,” Ray said.
“We tried running competitions and doing membership drives, but only three people would show up for a fish.”
Secretary, Barbara Decker, echoed the sentiment.
“You only need to look at our honour board to see the same names repeating, year after year. We just couldn’t keep going,” she said.
In choosing how to allocate their remaining funds, the decision to support youth development felt like the right one – and the Lakes Entrance Girl Guides, who have been using the angling club’s facilities in recent years, were a natural choice.
Guide leaders Sue Grima, Di Dixon and Rhiannon Drew, were overjoyed by the donation.
“It’s really wonderful news,” Sue said.
“This donation will allow us to do so many great things with our girls. While it’s sad to see such a long-standing club close, we’re incredibly grateful for their generosity.”
The Guides themselves were equally thrilled, with plenty of excited chatter about what activities and adventures might now be possible thanks to the gift.
Though the Lake Tyers Beach Angling Club may have cast its final line, its final act ensures that a spirit of community, connection, and opportunity continues to ripple through Lakes Entrance for years to come.
