December News - Update

Shooters tests show major misses

New billboard now up in Gippsland - a joint initiative between Regional Victorians Opposed to Duck Shooting and Australian Wildlife Society.

Shooters knowledge tests show major misses

As reported by Peter Hunt in Weekly Times this week, a survey of 4381 shooters by Game Management Authority has found major knowledge gaps.

• Only 42% of all animal hunters got a general knowledge question on personal safety correct.

• Only 37% of duck shooters were able to correctly answer a two part question on wounding.

• Only 20% of duck and quail shooters were able to correctly answer a three part question on identifying game species,

• Only 13% correctly answered the question on dispatch of downed birds.

These knowledge gaps pose a significant risk to people let alone our struggling wildlife - more reason Victoria must follow the lead of other states and ban bird shooting seasons.

Are we a progressive state or is there really little progression since the days of Henry Bolte?

https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/national/hunters-fall-short-in-knowledge-survey-gma-fires-up-mandatory-testing/news-story/f9bafde3a3c4252bbe82442f843c1669

Welcome Mary-Anne Thomas - New Ag Minister

Meanwhile we welcome Mary-Anne Thomas as our new Victorian Ag/Regional Development Minister!

Ms Thomas has been described by the Premier as an "unwavering voice for regional communities" and we look forward to meeting her very much.

Only yesterday on ABC Ballarat our spokesperson discussed the disappointment of constituents in receiving no response from the previous Ag/Regional Development Minister to numerous letters and requests for an audience over the last two years. Even a letter cosigned by 43 major business, union, environment and wildlife groups received no reply, while minority hunting groups were afforded at least one face to face meeting according to documents obtained through Freedom of Information.

We look forward to being able to meet and discuss the impacts socially and economically to the wider community of duck shooting -something which has flown under the radar to date - at our new Minister's earliest convenience. No doubt she has already been targeted by shooters - their political lobbying being one aim they seem to rarely miss!

Congratulations to our raffle prize winners

1 Night's accommodation with breakfast at Craigs Royal Hotel; J Wilkinson

Swift Outdoor Camera: J Hayes

Indigenous Culture Tour: E Summers

Carriage in the Bush*: L Walker

3 x prizes of personalised time with Mps Fiona Patten, Clifford Hayes and Andy Meddick: S Farr, M Leverett

Velvety Bag: M Owin

8 x DeBortoli Wine trio pack winners: L Trackell x 2, K Brookes*, S Farr, J Sokol, J King*, M Orwin

We will be in touch with winners in coming days.

*denotes prize initially won by another winner of multiple prizes in the raffle, donated back and re-drawn

Thank you to our awesome Fundraising Manager, Courteney, for her outstanding work putting together and managing this raffle!

Courteney's work and your support, has gone a long way in ensuring our awareness campaign's success.

This week's advertisements in Weekly Times and Gippsland Times.

On behalf of our beautiful native waterbirds who cannot speak for themselves and the rural communities who love being home to them, thank you for your support.

We hope you have a safe and happy festive break.

RVOTDS.