Lions Greenback Tailor Competition 2016

AFTER a year out of action, the Lions Charity Greenback Tailor Fishing Competition, on June 11 and 12, is back for its 30th year with a revised format.

The Lions Greenback event was originally kicked off by a group of amateur fishermen and women at the old Cabarita Beach Hotel in the mid-1980s.

Pat and June O’Keefe are the Lions Greenback patrons and were the people behind the first 20-odd years of the tournament. The legendary Gary ‘Arab’ Temperly was also a big part of the event’s early years and it was Arab’s fireworks that saw fishos start fishing along the gutters and estuaries from the Tweed to Ballina.

We cannot forget the men in the Pottsville Fishing Club tent.

That’s Richo and his merry men who do a fantastic job of checking, weighing and sorting fish into their respective categories. The Cabarita Beach – Pottsville Beach Lions Club took over the running of the event in 2006 under Stan Dawson AO.

Since then the Lions Club has thrown itself into staging the annual competition that benefits rescue organisations including the Cabarita Beach Surf Life Saving Club and Tweed Volunteer Rescue Association as well as local primary schools along the Tweed Coast.

The Cabarita Beach – Pottsville Beach Lions Club has proudly raised over $100,000 for the above beneficiaries.

This year the event is all about the fishing and big prizes on offer. Entrants can sign on for the comp between 10am and 6pm on Saturday, June 11 and start fishing from 10.30am the same day.

All fish must be weighed in by 10am sharp on Sunday, June 12.

We have kept entry fees the same as 2014 ($40 for adults and $20 for juniors under 16) and even reduced the veterans’ entry fee (60 years and older) to $35.

The Cabarita Beach Surf Life Saving Club will be cooking breakfast for all the weary fishers on the Sunday. After the presentations, a fish auction will allow those who did not secure their own fish the opportunity to buy fresh seafood. Indie markets run by Caba Creative and activities run throughout the competition will keep youngsters entertained.

If you wish to enjoy an alcoholic beverage, you may do so at the surf club or Cabarita Beach Hotel. The foreshore area remains a glass and alcohol-free zone and will be patrolled by NSW police.

Come along to Pandanus Parade, Cabarita Beach, NSW on June 11 and 12 and join in the fun. For any further information about the event, visit www.lionsgreenback.com

Peter O’Donnell