Marine Industry Foundation supports Fishability and Sailability
Marine Industry Foundation announces first grants to community fishing and sailing groupsThe Marine Industry Foundation announced its first grants to Fishers with Disabilities WA Inc (Fishability) at a recent fund raising luncheon held at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron attended by Foundation Patrons Kay Cottee AO and Jeff d’Albora, along with famous sailor Jessica Watson OAM and guest speaker Rob Mundle OAM.
The Foundation was established in 2015 to broaden community access to the benefits of recreational boating and to assist the marine industry to grow and develop as a significant provider of social, recreational and employment opportunities.
Foundation Director Andrew Chapman and Kay Cottee announced the first grant to Fishers with Disabilities WA Inc (Fishability).
Fishability provides support to people living with a disability, whether a mental illness or physical disability, through the provision of property, equipment and organisational support to enable them to enjoy and participate in recreational fishing. Fishability has been operating since 2003 and in 2014/15 conducted 148 recreational fishing activities for 1800 people with disabilities and their support workers.
The Foundation’s first grant will enable maintenance and refurbishment of the Fishability pontoon vessel to include much needed participant and volunteer shelter protection.
Andrew Chapman said: "while Fishability cannot be with us today to accept this cheque for $2600, I am pleased to report that Di Bruce, the Executive Officer of Fishability, has told me the organisation is thrilled and honoured to be the first recipient of Foundation funding”.
Boating Industries Alliance Australia President Simon Cook and Kay Cottee presented the Foundation’s second grant to Sailability Middle Harbour in NSW. It has 38 volunteers and six sailing dinghies and has been active for over 10 years.
Sailability Middle Harbour recently acquired their own safety boat, only to discover significantly more expensive repairs were required than expected.
The grant will assist them to meet the costs of repairs. In accepting the cheque for $2000, John Taylor, President of Sailability Middle Harbour said: "the very generous Marine Industry Foundation donation of $2000 will be a big help in refurbishing our safety boat ready for the summer season".
Details of the Marine Industry Foundation are available from the Foundation’s website at www.marinas.net.au/foundationsupport/support-us.
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
