Community Initiative - Environmental Protection & Waterfront Safety Day

Why This Matters:

The damage caused by discarded fishing tackle and plastic waste is devastating. Hooks pierce pelicans' bills and gulls feet. Plastic waste threatens turtles and other marine life. With two major boat ramp departure points to the lake and ocean at Pelican and Blacksmiths, our community also sees to many preventable tragedies on the water.

Focus Area;

Reduce fishing-related marine litter

Protect local marine wildlife, Especially our beautiful Pelicans.

Promote sustainable fishing practices

Safety on the Waterfront - Lifejackets Save Lives

Club opens 10.00am

MARINE WASTE COLLECTION (Bookings Required)

Hosted by Oz Fish

10:00 AM Meet Emma from OzFish on the Surf Club Lawns for sign on. (2Hour)

Bookings essential, places are limited via OzFish, we would love to see Community Groups, Local Business, School Groups participate.

https://ozfish.org.au/event/waste-on-the-waterfront-blacksmiths-nsw-august-2026/

KIDS CORNER (Bookings Required - Limited Spaces)

Hosted by Hunter Wildlife Rescue

Meet Wildlife Officers who share stories of Sea Turtle and Ocean Bird encounters. Colouring event included - all drawings hold a ticket into the draw at the end of each session.

Prize donated by Lake Macquarie Libraries: Lake Macquarie Adventures for Kids illustrated by Chirssy McYoung.

Two Sea Turtle Wildlife Sessions 10:15 AM | 11:45 AM by Jim Talty

Two Ocean Birds Wildlife Sessions 11:00AM | 12:30 PM by Michelle Kelly

COME FISH WITH US (8-14yrs - Limited Spaces)

Presented by DPI book NOW for General Admission for access.

Kids fishing workshop includes; how to rig up a rod, fishing safety, correct casting techniques and a practical fishing session. It will also include some great tips of fishing responsibly, correct catch and release technique and offer a chance to hear from experts about all things fishing to get started. All equipment is supplied on the day and each participant will take home a rod/reel.

Link for direct booking:DPRID Kids Fishing

RUNNING THROUGHOUT THE EVENT

LEARN 2 KNOTS = LOSE LESS GEAR

Come and meet well-known Lake Macquarie fishing expert and environmental advocate Jason Nunn.

Learn 2 Knots = Lose Less Gear = Cleaner Lake = Safer Marine Wildlife

SWANSEA BELMONT SLC

Hosted by: Swansea Belmont SLC

Education and Information

LIFEJACKETS SAVES LIVES

Hosted by: Maritime Education & Partnerships Officers, Maritime Transport for NSW.

Marine Officer offering information on boating safety and current requirements. ANACONDA have supplied some lifejackets to try on.

LUCKY DOOR PRIZE by ANACONDA 1 x Adult Lifejacket

You will meet with Tom at Anaconda to select your Lifejacket; depending on your personal requirements, lifejacket for Kyaking, lifejacket for boating, personalized for your needs and fitting.

TACKLE LOOP - "Dont Bin It, Loop It"

Hosted by BMPPSNG and OzFish

Bring in your unwanted rods, reels, lines and soft plastics for recycling or refurbishment.

FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT

(best to bring CASH along to purchase as these are community initatives.

🍖 Lions Club (Belmont) Sausage Sizzle

🧁 Country Women's Association (Belmont) Baked Goods for Sale

Thank you to

Wallaby Water for keeping our volunteers refreshed and samples.

Bakers Den for keeping our volunteers fueled.

Lake Macquarie Libraries for 4 prizes for Kids Corner

Paul Gearside from BMPPSNG for kids illustrations

Bunnings gift voucher for Raffle inclusion

Anaconda for supplying Lifejacket samples and prizes

Volunteers coming together for this education on Waste on the Waterfront

Contact the host of Waste on the Waterfront Blacksmiths NSW