SENIOR PRESENTATION NIGHT 2025
The Rhyll-Phillip Island Angling Club (RPIAC) held their Seniors Presentation Night for the 2024/2025 angling competition season at the Phillip Island Bowls Club on Saturday the 12th of April. The event was well-attended and treated anglers and supporters to a great night of celebration and entertainment.
Guests were entertained and rocked by the musical talents of local artists, Travis Thompson and Noah Thompson, singing along to classic tunes and dancing to the energy of the vocals, guitar and drums. Their energy was sustained throughout the evening, thanks to the delicious feast prepared by Frank Velardi and his catering team. Importantly, everyone remained hydrated by the refreshing beverages served by the fantastic staff at the bowls club.
The great community spirit of RPIAC continues to engage visitors and locals on Phillip Island, particularly on Friday evenings and the scheduled weekend fishing competitions held from spring, summer, and autumn each year. Many of the club’s members have volunteered throughout the year and each angling competition has been well attended. Participation has increased and new records have been set and milestones have been reached.
The RPIAC acknowledged the commitment and support from sponsors throughout the angling season including: Bakers Delight Cowes, Jim’s Bait and Tackle, Phillip Island Marine, The Corner Takeaway, Clip’n’Climb Cowes, and Haymes Paint Cowes. The angling club’s commitment, presence, and willingness to welcome newcomers has created a great community and family environment. With so many contributions throughout the year, RPIAC’s President, Albert Abram, spoke of the enthusiasm and outstanding service to the club that has been provided by all members who attend, support, and represent the club to members and visitors. He spoke of volunteer’s tasks that anyone could do, someone should do, and thanked those who did do, and presented Ron Soolsma, with the “President’s Award” for his tireless efforts and dedicated support throughout the year. The attendee’s applause affirmed the recognition of his outstanding service to the RPIAC.
Every year, RPIAC entices members to engage in angling competitions, offering incentives as well as weekend and annual prizes. Throughout the season, participants are entered into the 365-Competition, Reverse Draw, and Club Championship. A total of 546 catches from 20 eligible species were weighed in with King George whiting (197 catches) and snapper (143 catches) being the most abundant species. The RPIAC also claimed the trophy in the Annual Corinella Boating and Angling Club’s Inter-club Snapper Tournament, winning the men’s (James Nicolaci – biggest snapper), women’s (Lea Bowen – biggest snapper, Tenille Preddice – 2nd biggest snapper), junior’s (Denver Firth), and secret weight (Don Rowe) prizes.
The 365-Competition acknowledges the efforts of the anglers who caught the biggest catches of each eligible species throughout the year. 365-award plaques were presented to: Duncan Firth for a leatherjacket (945 grams) and a salmon ( 1615 grams), Frank Kastoras for a stranger/grass whiting (295 grams), and a school shark (17200 grams), James Nicolaci for a Kingfish (14600 grams – New Club Record), a mullet (460 grams), a pike (3995 grams – New Club Record), a snapper (8250 grams), a tuna (17250 grams), and a squid (1470 grams), Nigel Firth for a King George whiting (1035 grams), Peter Ronchi for a bream (689 grams), Steve Bland for a mackerel (690 grams), Trevor Gleeson for a couta (1635 grams), a flathead (1810 grams), a tailor (885 grams), and a trevally (1290 grams), Tim Fahnle for a gummy shark (16050 grams), and Rob Monk for a cuttlefish (3220 grams).
Each Senior angler, who participated in the RPIAC’s weekend angling competitions, was entered into the Reverse Draw when they weighed-in an eligible species during a competition weekend. The last 20 entries were drawn on the night and hopes for the prize faded as members heard their names drawn. Everyone hoped that the last name called was theirs, but the last name pulled from the draw was Paul Goodwin, to win the 2024/2025 season Reverse Draw prize of $1000.
Of course, the formalities of the night would not be in order unless the recipient RPIAC Merle Award, the award that nobody wants, was announced. The Merle Award recognises angler-related incidents such as mishaps, errors of judgement or remarkable feats in the year leading up to presentation night. There were a few strong contenders and ultimately, the 2025 Merle Award recipient was Lea Bowen. The Haymes Paint Shop’s door prizes were won by Jill Crump and Leah Valente, and the evening’s presentations concluded with the announcement of the top-3 Female and Male Club Champions.
The 2025 Female Club Champions were: Anne-Marie Richards, in 3rd place with a total of 11221 units, Carianne Peatey, in 2nd place with a total of 18322 units, and Tenille Preddice finished the season in 1st place with 20505 units. The 2025 Male Club Champions were: Michael Stefanakis, in 3rd place with a total of 31546 units, Duncan Firth, in 2nd place with a total of 31928 units, and James Nicolaci finished in 1st place with a total of 34757 units, retaining the RPIAC Club Champion title for the second consecutive year. All winners were congratulated at the event and will retain bragging rights as “Club Champions” for the next year.
The next angling competition season is scheduled to commence in Spring 2025. RPIAC’s clubroom is located adjacent to the Rhyll boat ramp and is open to members and visitors on Friday evenings (from 5 pm) and competition weekends coinciding with weigh-in through spring, summer, and autumn each year. The club promotes responsible and sustainable fishing practices and supports and assists in developing an interest in fishing for youngsters, families, and locals. For further information about the club, events, competitions, and rules, please visit the website: www.rpiac.com
