Fishing workshops for people with disabilities win award: Minister

31/12/00
Fisheries Minister Monty House today congratulated Fisheries WA on winning an award for developing and conducting specialised fishing workshops for people with disabilities.
The workshops were part of Fisheries WA's highly successful Volunteer Fisheries Liaison Officer (VFLO) program.
"Fisheries WA won the inaugural category Making a Difference to Everyday Life in Disability Services' recent Action on Access Awards 2000," Mr House said.
"I applaud everyone involved in the workshops, especially Perth metropolitan VFLO Neville Thomas.
"Mr Thomas came up with the concept of the fishing workshops, developed the innovative program, produced the specialised equipment and raised the funding for the program with the help of agency staff, other VFLOs, businesses and organisations."
Two specialised fishing rods were developed for use by people with disabilities:

• one with a flick switch rod designed for people with partial disabilities, such as arthritis or cerebral palsy; and -

• one designed for quadriplegics and those with severe disabilities, which can be operated through a motor that is operated by an air-activated switch (blowing out starts the motor), a tilt switch on a headband or a button on a separate handle that can be knocked against the wheelchair.

Mr House said the focus of the program was on ability rather than disability.
"With the Year of the Volunteer just around the corner, it is timely that Fisheries WA has won such an award, thanks to the talented people taking part in its volunteer program and generous support from others in the community," he said.
The Minister said he was extremely impressed with the high level of commitment the VFLOs had shown for their volunteer work and how they had made a difference to people's enjoyment of recreational fishing and their understanding of Fisheries WA's Fish for the future program.
Media contact: Mike Groves 9481 2044