.
Electorate Office: Unit 1, Druids Hall, Corner Durlacher and Sanford Streets, Geraldton, WA 6530. PO Box 231, Geraldton, WA 6531
Ph: +61 (08) 9923 9211; Fax: +61 (08) 9923 9222; Email: brian.ellis@mp.wa.gov.au
Ph: +61 (08) 9923 9211; Fax: +61 (08) 9923 9222; Email: brian.ellis@mp.wa.gov.au
Copyright Brian Ellis MLC © 2009 - 2011
Fishing Co-op celebrates sixty years
The 60th anniversary of the first consignment of rock lobsters processed by the Geraldton Fishermen's Cooperative was celebrated by over 200 fishers and their families.
The first landing of the lobster bags was re-enacted by an original gaff-rigged fishing boat, the Mafalda skippered by John Fitzhardinge junior, and crewed by Leith Pritchard, Basil Lenzo and Phil Miragliotta.
The bags were received by Net Gedero, the son of Johnny Gedero (who is believed to be the first person to deliver lobster to the Co-op) and the Co-op's longest serving employee, Duck Pascoe.
At a time when multi-million dollar boats with GPS and fish-tracking devices make fast trips to the Abrolho, it is important to remember the small timber boats which pioneered the industry and the brave men who sailed them out into unknown weather without radio contact.
Pictured enjoying the festivities are: Fisheries Minister Norman Moore, Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney, Geraldton Fishermen's Co-op's first chairman Bill Newbold, current chairman John Ritchie, and Agricultural Region Member Brian Ellis. Photo courtesy Geraldton Newspapers.
The first landing of the lobster bags was re-enacted by an original gaff-rigged fishing boat, the Mafalda skippered by John Fitzhardinge junior, and crewed by Leith Pritchard, Basil Lenzo and Phil Miragliotta.
The bags were received by Net Gedero, the son of Johnny Gedero (who is believed to be the first person to deliver lobster to the Co-op) and the Co-op's longest serving employee, Duck Pascoe.
At a time when multi-million dollar boats with GPS and fish-tracking devices make fast trips to the Abrolho, it is important to remember the small timber boats which pioneered the industry and the brave men who sailed them out into unknown weather without radio contact.
Pictured enjoying the festivities are: Fisheries Minister Norman Moore, Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney, Geraldton Fishermen's Co-op's first chairman Bill Newbold, current chairman John Ritchie, and Agricultural Region Member Brian Ellis. Photo courtesy Geraldton Newspapers.