The facilitator of Fishcare East Gippsland Jenny Allitt has announced her well-deserved retirement from the volunteer organisation after 15 years in the position.
The focus of Fishcare is educational, being that of sustainable fishing practices for the future, so there will be fish to be caught for future generations.
The work is delivered all over East Gippsland, from Mallacoota to Sale.
Much of this work is carried out in the school classrooms as well as holding actual fishing sessions during the holiday periods.
“Jenny would often go traipsing through the local caravan parks during the holiday periods handing out information brochures promoting the clinics,” Fishcare volunteers Dearne Albert and Rinie Wiersema said.
“It was surprising to deal with the number of adults who have never been fishing.”
During COVID and as a qualified teacher, Jenny developed the program ‘What’s Under the Water’, an indoor classroom activity suitable for the winter months.
Many witnessed her ability to hold the attention of young primary school students for well over an hour.
“She was able to deliver the program at their level, for example, ‘this fish is a cool dude or this starfish is a bad dude’ and so on. The students loved it,” Dearne said
“It’s been a great journey, watching the program evolve to include kindergarten, primary, secondary and adult,” Jenny said.
“My love is teaching, and it has been really great to encourage students and the public to be aware of sustainable fishing.
“Teaching them to take ownership of our marine and estuary life and their habitat and learning what lives under the water. All the schools have been amazing and I have enjoyed returning to back up their learning.
“I have also loved seeing families out fishing, particularly kids catching their first fish. Teaching them the responsibilities, rules and regulations of fishing. It is wonderful to see families off their screens and outside spending time together.”
Her thoughtfulness towards her volunteers was always noted and appreciated.
“During COVID she would ring us regularly to check on our wellbeing,” Dearne said.
“In untoward weather conditions, Jenny would cancel a booked session in favour of her volunteers not being subjected to the elements. Enrolling and retaining volunteers has been ongoing and a major setback to the program, which seems to be a general pattern for many community groups.”
“I have loved teaching the components to volunteers and witness their motivation and passion to look after our resources,” Jenny said.
“I also want to acknowledge the wonderful support of the Fisheries Officers.”
Jenny’s love of marine life is backed up with her love of scuba diving, stand up paddle boarding and underwater photography. Her camera is always by her side, producing some amazing photographs of octopuses, sea horses, fish and nudibranchs which she often incorporates into her teaching sessions.
She is a talented lady and has published a book on nudibranchs titled Sea Slugs of Twofold Bay – Turenulerrer Eden depicting her own illustrations of the same. Jenny is about to publish her second book, Unique Marine Life of the Sapphire Coast – Yuin Nation.
Jenny plans to retire from her second job teaching environmental sciences at TAFE later this year.
With her newly purchased caravan, she will be off up the coast seeking new underwater photography locations and experiences.
“The volunteers and all members of Fishcare Victoria wish Jenny a long, healthy, happy and well deserved retirement both above and below the water,” Dearne and Rinie said on behalf of all volunteers of Fishcare East Gippsland.
“We look forward to seeing all the new photos and tales of her adventures.”
