Media Release by Redcliffe City Council



FISHING FANANTICS SHOULD CAST THEIR EYES TO FESTIVAL OF SAILS

Fishing guru ‘netted’ for free information sessions

South East Queensland fishing fanatics will be able to hook heaps of helpful hints at Redcliffe’s Festival of Sails which will be held at Suttons Beach on Good Friday (April 14).

4BC Talking Fishing guru Dave “Nugget” Downie will be joined by members of Sunfish and the Moreton Bay Boat Club Game and Sportfish section to highlight the best fishing spots in and around Redcliffe, local species, expert tips and special techniques.

The free information sessions will be held in the festival’s Talking Fishing Tent.

Spokesperson for events and festivals, Cr Rae Frawley, said Dave would be on site from 11.30am to 12.30pm to meet fishing enthusiasts and share his experiences.

“Dave is well known for his passion and knowledge when it comes to fishing, and his presentation, complete with question and answer session, is a must for bay anglers,” she said.

“Fishing is one of the country’s most popular pastimes and this is a great opportunity for the family to visit the beach, take in the colour and magic of the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race, and hook into some helpful hints that can be put into practice on your next fishing trip.”

Cr Frawley said members of Sunfish and the Moreton Bay Boat Club would be on-hand from 9am to 4pm to provide fishing enthusiasts with plenty of information and advice based on years of local experience.

“The Moreton Bay Boat Club Game and Sportfishing section has been a part of Redcliffe’s fishing culture since 1964 and its members have an in depth understanding of local fishing conditions.

“Members of the North Moreton branch of recreational fishing group Sunfish will also be attending, to share information on recreational fishing, educational activities and seminars, membership benefits and the group’s achievements in Queensland.”

Colourful sails and celebrations will characterise Redcliffe’s Suttons Beach during the Festival of Sails on Good Friday (April 14) to mark the start of the 58th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race.

Cr Frawley said this year’s attractions and activities would cover air, sea and land.

“Running from 9am to 4pm, the festival will provide the perfect start to the long weekend,” she said.

“Major attractions will include a huge sand sculpture, which will be crafted during the day by world renowned artist Dennis Massoud (Sandman), a visit by the Easter Bunny who will skydive on to the beach and a live performance by Aussie rock icon and former front man of the Party Boys, Swanee (John Swan).

“The festival will also more than 120 top quality market stalls, live music and roving entertainment, children’s beach activities and art workshops, amusement rides, camel and pony treks, sand sculpting workshops, beach volleyball, giant puppets, water craft demonstrations, kite flying displays and plenty of food stalls.”

Redcliffe’s Festival of Sails is a Redcliffe City Council event and is proudly supported by Redcliffe and Bayside Herald and New Talk 1116 4BC.

Cr Frawley said Festival of Sails provided festival goers with great views of the start of the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race which is expected to feature up to 50 vessels.

“The first yachts will reach Suttons Beach at around 11.30am. #The colourful sails and spinnakers will provide a spectacular backdrop for a fantastic day by the bay,” she said.

For more information on the festival contact the Council’s Events Officer Kim Chirnside on 3283 0253.