THE Swan Hill Service Clubs’ fishing classic is regarded by many as the original annual fishing competition in the Swan Hill region, but its 10th anniversary this year could also mark its demise.
The first year the event was held, organisers received 120 applications for 100 vacancies — creating a waiting list that initially helped sustain and grow the competition.
But now with fewer entries, organisers are stressing that the competition is open to more boats.
“This could be our last one — if we don’t get enough boats we don’t make enough out of it,” Murray Ray said.
Ray said in the 10 year history of the event organisers had turned over $280,000 — money which is reinvested in the community.
Last year organisers were able to gift Pioneer Animal Nursery Inc with $4000 — $2000 donated from the Rotary and Lions clubs.
Ray said if the event had the maximum number of entries this year a worthy local institution would receive $10,000 from the service organisations.
“If we get 100 [boats] we can give away $5000 each,” he said.
“But it gets to the stage where it might have run its race.”
Meanwhile, Ray and other organisers released 3500 Murray cod fingerlings into the river at the site of the competition at Pental Island on Saturday.
Contact Murray Ray on 0409 215 755 to enter.
