13/01/2025
14th January 2025 - Bill Gunn Damn Fingerling Release
Members of the Lockyer Valley Fish Restocking Association gathered this morning at Bill Gunn Damn (Lake Dyer) for the annual fingerling release.
7000 Bass, 7000 Golden Perch (Yellow Belly) and 6000 Silver Perch were given their new home into the Lake. Hatched and raised at Hanwood Fish Hatchery in Murgon, Craig makes the annual trip each year in January for the association with his healthy fingerlings.
The Stocked Impoundment Permit fees (SIPs) contribute to the payment of the fingerlings however the association generally makes up the balance with monies that have been raised throughout the years.
“This year, we were allocated $1,830 in funding, and the association paid the balance of $3520” explains Kylie Kajewski, secretary of the association.
Since the passing of her father, Kevin Balke in 2020, the association has been struggling with finding members to help with the volunteering needed to continue to raise money.
“Dad’s biggest worry before his passing was the association folding without him to drive the funding that goes toward keeping the bank account healthy to keep the fingerlings coming. However, we were able to keep up with raffles until 2023, but with lack of volunteers and time constraints 2024 was really hard to get into the community to raise awareness and money”, Kylie said.
There will be a meeting at the Kev Balke Memorial Shed, in the Laidley Showgrounds on February 2nd at 3pm for any members of the community that would be interested in joining. Membership is $15 and that just covers the annual association fees.
