More than 40 Girl Guides from across the state participated in the ‘Give it a whirl girl’ fishing event at Lake Wendouree in Ballarat.

Waterwatch Coordinator Deirdre Murphy exploring waterbugs with the Girl Guides

Corangamite CMA’s Waterwatch program presented “Waterbug Discovery” enabling the Girl Guides to explore the aquatic life of Lake Wendouree. Everyone enjoyed learning about the diversity of creatures calling Lake Wendouree home and how surveys like this provide information on the health of our lakes, rivers and wetlands.

Waterbug Discovery was one of many environmental activity participants took part in on the day. Participants also learned about responsible fishing practices, tying knots and rigs, casting and species identification with Victorian Fisheries Authority

The day included a bush supermarket walk with Parks Victoria, and making a water purifier and bird feeder with Girl Guides Victoria.

The day was part of broader effort to encourage youth participation in fishing through the State Government’s Target One Million plan, which aims to get more people fishing, more often.