Tinaroo SIPS legends: from beginnings to Barra Bash success

Ian and Ann joined the TFSS in 1996 and now it feels like an extended family to them! They’ve enjoyed watching youngsters grow up to become some of the best anglers in FNQ. They are also proud of their ongoing contribution to tourism, including the annual Tinaroo Barra Bash, and enjoy seeing visitors to Tinaroo Falls Dam hitch their campers and cast their lures.

They’re always keen to welcome new members to the Society and here Ann shares with us how they became involved and why … almost 30 years on … they are still loving it!

Beginnings of Tinaroo

“The Fisheries Research Unit was based at Walkamin with Mal McKinnon, Alf Hogan, Terry Vallance to name a few, boosted fishing in the northern half of the state. Under the guidance of Alf Hogan and a steering committee, the Tableland Fish Stocking Society formed in 1992, committed to the maintenance of a recreational freshwater fishery in Lake Tinaroo and surrounding waterways. The committee decided to join the State Government’s Recreational Fishing Enhancement Program. The Draft Freshwater Management Plan was released in 1998, and the Stocking Impoundment Permit (SIP) Scheme of which Lake Tinaroo was one of the first 25 dams included with TFSS signing a 5 year management plan.

“We officially joined TFSS in 1996 and haven’t left! We have worn many hats in our 28 years as active members including chairman, governor, secretary, event and stocking coordinators. We’ve advocated and represented TFSS at many workshops and brought concerns of illegal tree clearing and fish kills to Biosecurity Queensland, JCU and DPI ministers over the years.

“Ian has represented TFSS as the northern representative for Freshwater Fishing and Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme Working Groups (2017-2023), fighting for our fair share. The respect and daily contact from the fishing public discussing issues and benefits to do with impoundment fishing and relaying these concerns to Government is a highlight for him. His only disappointment was when the Family permit was removed. Ian has worked tirelessly to manage the physical side of fish stocking, liaising with the hatcheries, often giving up large amounts of his personal time and equipment to ensure that high quality fish stocks are added to the lake.”

Barra Bash becomes a regional event

“I am proud to have been the driving force behind the Tinaroo Barra Bash since 2011, volunteering hundreds of hours to this cause every year and my many years in the role of TFSS secretary. In 2021, I organised the 30th Anniversary Tinaroo Barra Bash event, bringing members of the Tablelands community together to join in the celebration and acknowledged the work of every TFSS member past and present, who had contributed to the success of this event.

“We are honoured for the recognition on our involvement in the committee, but we could not have achieved what we have without the other members that also volunteered their time, resources and skills to the betterment of Lake Tinaroo. Some of those are Ron Liston, Coral Abdy (both long-time active members), secretaries and treasurers who make sure our acquittals were administered. John and Jennifer Mondora representing Far North Queensland region and TFSS at the Zonal Advisory Committee (ZAC), locking in the 75% of funds to go back to stocking and this should never change.

“Errol Taske who was the driving force behind our hatchery and, with Suzie, organising Barra Bash prior to me, and many other members who contributed to the success of Tableland Fish Stocking Society and the enormous economic benefit TFSS has brought to the Atherton Tablelands and districts.

“We’ve seen a shift in the projects our core group has focused on and over the past 5 to 10 years that group is the most hands-on with skills in biology research and monitoring projects, supporting a shift to more advanced technologies, diversifying the income streams with collecting cans and community clinics to support the development of our next generation of fishers on the dam.

“Community expectations are that Stocked Impoundment Permit funds are being invested wisely and for the benefit of the community and it is something Ian and I take seriously. Some of the best anglers in the district have grown up on the dam and their success brings tourist anglers to the region and we’ve enjoyed watching local anglers go from small fry to adults to parents.”