VRFish (Victorian Recreational Fishing Peak-Body)


Welcome to VRFish, the Victorian recreational fishers representative organisation.
Our goal is to consult broadly and communicate with the Victorian recreational fishing community, represent and advocate the views of recreational fishers to Government and their agencies and ensure full access to a diverse and healthy Victorian recreational fishery.

We look forward to working with recreational fishers to improve the opportunities to successfully fish in Victoria


VRFish is the representative organisation for recreational fishers in Victoria. Our organisational structure comprises a Board of Directors, four staff, more than 50 affiliated member delegates and 20 unaffiliated member delegates.

Organisational Structure

Our membership comprises three categories:

-Affiliated members of a club or association representing at least 500 members or 10 fishing clubs,
-Unaffiliated members, and
-Kindred Interest Groups
The VRFish Board comprises nine Director's, including the Chairperson who are elected on an annual basis. The Board is responsible for engaging the Executive Officer, the Grants/Project Officer, the Operations Manager (also the Company Secretary) and an Administration Assistant. Board members meet monthly while State Council meetings are held quarterly at various locations across Victoria.

VRFish has a strong regional structure in place and has representatives in all Victorian catchments regions. VRFish also has a number of committees that deal with issues such as Finances, Research and Development, Water & Habitat Issues and Fishing Infrastructure & Access. We draw on external expertise to assist VRFish members on these committees.

VRFish is governed by its Constitution. This Constitution outlines key governance issues for VRFish, including Membership, Meeting Proceedings, Board Elections and Appointment of Staff. - VRFish Constitution

VRFISH Charter
To consult broadly with the recreational fishing community to represent the views of recreational fishers in an accurate and timely manner to Government and their agencies, as well as communicate effectively with the recreational fishers of Victoria.

VRFISH Vision
To ensure full access to a diverse and healthy Victorian recreational fishery.

VRFISH Mission Statement
To represent and advocate the interests of the Victorian recreational fishing community


Executive Officer
Christopher Collins

Grants, Operations and Projects Officer
Ben Scullin

Operations Manager
Alison Gibson (on maternity leave)

Administration Assistant
Samantha Snowden-Finch

Accounts Officer
Jodie Haigh


Christopher Collins - Executive Officer

Christopher was a volunteer member of VRFish for more than 10 years before accepting the role of Executive Officer. He is well known on the recreational fishing scene and is still actively involved with the Council of Victorian Fly Fishing Clubs. Christopher came to his position with VRFish from Field & Game Australia where he was Operations Manager for more than three years. Prior to that he had more than 20 years commercial oriented experience focusing in the areas of sales, marketing, financial and business operations. Christopher is a third generation recreational angler & is keen on all forms of fishing but has a particular soft spot for dry fly fishing in a mountain stream. He has two young sons & despite the best efforts of his wife they are being inoculated into sharing the family tradition of spending good times outdoors with family & friends fishing & hunting.

Ben Scullin - Grants / Projects Officer
Born and bred in Bayside Melbourne, Ben is our Grants and Projects Officer and is responsible for assisting Victorian recreational fishers to seek funding for access improvements, recreational fishing promotion and many other projects. Ben is a fanatical 'Bream on Lure' fisher and spends a lot of time on the Yarra River practicing for tournaments. Ben joined the team in July 2008 and has a background in River Health and water quality monitoring.

Alison Gibson - Operations Manager
Alison has only been a recreational fisher for a short while, trying her hand at all styles of fishing, but has been involved in the fishing industry for over 8 years. Starting her career working for the Fisheries Co-Management Council, assisting key fishing experts advise the Minister for Agriculture on all matters concerning fishing in Victoria, including aquaculture, commercial, indigenous, environmental, research and recreational. This background gave Alison a good understanding of the recreational fishing scene and a growing passion to ensure that fishing receives the recognition it deserves.

Samantha Snowden - Finch - Administration Assistant
Samantha has a strong family history in recreational fishing. Her paternal grandparents were keen anglers and her grandfather owned and operated a tackle and bait store in McKinnon. Samantha grew to love the sport during her teenage years where she fished for sharks, squids and snapper, amongst other species, off Westernport Bay beaches and piers. Her favourite fishing spot is Williamsons Beach.



VRFish (Victorian Recreational Fishing Peak-Body)


Ground Floor, 24 York Street South Melbourne Victoria 3205
✆ 03 9686 7077
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