The NSWCFA, formed in 1958, is the recognised representative body for the State’s freshwater anglers, focusing on fisheries management, conservation and regulatory matters, angler access, angling ethics, animal welfare and politics. It harnesses the energy and local knowledge of regional groups and represents their freshwater angling interests to the government and to the public, and enjoys a productive relationship with the NSW Department of Primary Industries (Fisheries) and other government departments and agencies.
The mission of the NSWCFA is to represent the interests of New South Wales freshwater anglers, with the aim of fostering recreational fishing in a healthy and ecologically sustainable environment for today’s and future generations.
The NSWCFA is an independent, incorporated, not-for-profit organisation run by unpaid volunteers. It publishes full and detailed notices, agendas, minutes and reports of all meetings and holds democratic annual elections for an executive committee. A copy of our constitution can be downloaded here.
The NSWCFA publishes a free monthly email newsletter (click here to subscribe) and a Facebook page.
Member clubs and associations
Members of the NSW include fishing clubs, associations and individuals. Member organisations are entitled to two voting positions for up to 100 members plus one extra voting position for every hundred members thereafter (or part thereof). Click here for a membership form.
Our current member organisations are:
ACT Fly Fishers; Anglers Action Group (Sydney Northside); The Barrington Club; Bass Kempsey; Bass Sydney; Big River Bass Fly Fishing Club; Canberra Anglers’ Association; Canberra Fisherman’s Club; Central Acclimatisation Society; Central Coast Flyrodders; Council of Southern Districts Angling Clubs; Fly Fish Bathurst; Greenwells Fly Fishing Club; Hawkesbury Nepean Bass Anglers’ Association; Hunter Native Fish; Illawarra Fly Fishers; Inland Waters Rejuvenation Association; Lakeside Fly Fishing Club; Mid North Coast Flyrodders; Monaro Acclimatisation Society (includes Adaminaby Branch, Bombala Branch, Braidwood Fishing Club, Delegate Branch, Kydra/Kybean Branch, Anembo Anglers Club, Cabramurra Fishing Club, Cooma Trout Acclimatisation Association, Dalgety Branch, Khancoban Angling Club, Nimmitabel Branch, Tumbarumba Branch, Waterfall Farm Fishing Club, Queanbeyan Anglers Club, Tumut Branch, Upper Goodradigbee Branch, Yass Branch, Jindabyne Branch, Talbingo Branch); New England Trout Acclimatisation Society; New South Wales Rod Fishers’ Society; New South Wales Coarse Angling Research Club; Orange Trout Acclimatisation Society; Professional Fishing Instructors & Guides Association; Scone Amateur Fishing Club; Singleton Fly Fishing Club; Singleton Flyrodders Association; Southern Bass Fishing Club; Springwood Fishing Club; Sydney Fly Rodders; Sydney Coarse Anglers; The Lakes; Vikings Fishing Club; Wingham Anglers.
Foundation Members
Freshwater anglers are invited to make a special contribution to the NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers (NSWCFA) in the interests of all freshwater anglers in NSW.
You will be well aware of the challenges freshwater anglers face in sustaining the freshwater fishery in NSW, especially regarding the preservation of angler access. The NSWCFA constantly strives to overcome those challenges but we need your financial support to meet the costs of that work.
We are appealing to members who can afford to make a small extra annual contribution to become NSWCFA Foundation Members to help meet our operating costs. Foundation Membership is just $25 per year—less than the cost of a NSW fishing licence.
Foundation Members are recognised in the NSWCFA website and in NSWCFA newsletters.
Your contribution will help meet the cost of hiring meeting venues across NSW and out-of-pocket expenses for committee members who attend meetings on your behalf (such as train, taxi, bus and parking). Your contributions will also be used for the production of our monthly email newsletters, which are sent to hundreds of members, for stationery, copying, postage, internet and telephone costs, insurance to cover the personal liability of committee members, affiliation fees to the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW and corporate return filing fees.
You can pay by cheque, direct credit, Visa or MasterCard.
Please click here for a Foundation Membership form.
Our Foundation Members are: Australian Trout Foundation, Bill Blair, Ken Chapman, David Connon, Richard Cottam, Geoff Davis, Fred Dunford, Peter Gibson, Kevin Kai, Peter Mason, Wayne Power, Ian Roache, Don Salter, Paul Sanders, Joe Searl, David Tinworth, Steve Tizard, Lofty Tottenham (deceased).
Honorary Life Members
During its fifty year history some members have made an extraordinary contribution to the NSW CFA, and members have recognised their efforts by awarding them Honorary Life Membership:
Ian Andrews, Alan Basford, Dick Carter, Dr John Halliday, Percy Hoffmann, John Humphries, Roger Hungerford, Barry Jonassen, Rodney Tonkin.
Executive Council 2018-2019
President: Don Barton
Past President: Rodney Tonkin
Senior Vice President: Peter Gibson
Vice President Region 1 (North Coast and Ranges): Vacant
Vice President Region 2 (Sydney and Central): Radge Diakiw
Vice President Region 3 (Southern Highlands and South Coast): Josh Burns
Vice President Region 4 (ACT, Monaro and Snowy Mountains): Steve Samuels
Vice President Region 5 (Central West): Vacant
Vice President Region 6 (South West): Vacant
Vice President Region 7: (Far West): Vacant
Vice President Region 8 (North and North West): Laurie Muldoon
Honorary Secretary and Public Officer: Radge Diakiw (acting)
Honorary Treasurer: Don Salter
Environmental Officer: Gary Bickford
Newsletter Editor: Peter Gibson
Website: Peter Gibson
Delegate to RFA of NSW: Peter Gibson
Observer to DPI NSW Trout Allocation Committee: Peter Gibson
Delegate to Gaden Trout Hatchery Management Committee: Peter Gibson
Delegate to Snowy Lakes Strategy Committee: Peter Gibson
Honorary Solicitor: Stuart Beal
Promotion Officer: John Robb
Click here for contact details of committee members.
Meetings
The Council meets on a quarterly basis, with delegates from local clubs attending from all over NSW. Managers from the NSW Department of Primary Industries and other government departments and agencies also attend the meetings. Meetings are held on the third Saturday of February, May, August and November commencing at 9.30 am.
Working meetings and video hook-ups of the executive committee are held in between quarterly meetings.
Meeting information
The August 2019 quarterly meeting and AGM of the NSWCFA will be held on Saturday 17 August 2019 at the Freeway Hotel, 115 Reserve Rd, Artarmon NSW 2064.
Minutes of the most recent quarterly meeting (May 2019) are at this link.
Contact details
For general enquiries email info@freshwateranglers.com.au
For contact details of the executive committee click here.
NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers
PO Box 537
Paddington
NSW 2021 Australia
Other organisations and links
Fisheries NSW (for regulations, licences and general fishing information)
Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW (organisation representing all recreational fishers in NSW)