Schools and charity groups along the Tweed Coast are set to be the big winners in this weekend’s 28th annual Lions Greenback Taylor Fishing Competition at Bogangar this weekend.
The event, to be held off our beaches from Saturday through to Sunday morning at 10am, is the Lions Club of Cabarita and Pottsville’s biggest fundraiser of the year, attracting more than 800 anglers two years ago, with organisers expecting even more this time.
But, as well as being one of the few charity fishing competitions still running in the country and being considered one of Australia’s premier estuary beach competitions, it is an event that benefits many local groups.
Money raised goes to the Cabarita Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, the Tweed District Rescue Squad and both the Bogangar and Pottsville Public Schools.
Not that those groups don’t get in and help as well. Last week, Bogangar Public held a “Green Day” which wasn’t a day in homage to the well-known US grunge rock band, but was in fact a day to dress up and sell as many raffle tickets as they could for the Lions Club.
And it wasn’t just about green clothes, there was green hair and, over in the canteen, the food suddenly took on a green hue (but don’t worry, it still tasted pretty awesome).
Bogangar principal Cath Lalor said it was important for the school to do its bit and get behind the competition (and the prizes for the raffle are pretty good as well).
“The P&C works in with the Lions Club to help support them in the different aspects of running the event,” she said.
“It is the only festival in Cabarita.”
Weigh-in is held in front of the Cabarita Hotel from 10am, with the winners announced at 1pm. The Sunday morning also features events for the kids, including jumping castles and facepainting.