AGM - President’s Report
Thank you for allowing me to serve as President of the great Gold Coast Sportfishing Club for a second time. From the beginning, it was always a two-year plan to help guide this club back to where it belongs — as the best fishing club in Queensland.
That goal could not have been achieved without the incredible support of our committee. We are all volunteers who generously give our time and effort to make this club the success it is today. I sincerely thank each and every one of you for your dedication and commitment. I would also like to acknowledge Scott Gregory, Pete Hollis and Pete McGregor, who will be standing down from the committee after tonight. Your time, effort and contribution to the club have been greatly appreciated. Thank you for the work you’ve done behind the scenes to help move the club forward.
We are a busy club with a complex internal structure — managing two websites, email communications, sponsorship support, member data and three social media platforms, just to name a few. There is an enormous amount of work that happens behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. In particular, I would like to acknowledge Kadee for her outstanding work in getting all of these platforms back on track. The time and dedication she has invested play a vital role in supporting the club and all of our stakeholders. Your efforts do not go unnoticed.
Our club nights have been very successful throughout the year, and that’s thanks to many people. A big thank you to Dave and Trent for the fantastic meals and for keeping us well fed and hydrated each month. Thank you also to the Swainkies family for running the bar — your ongoing support is truly appreciated.
To all of our sponsors who have supported us throughout the year — many of you are in this room tonight — thank you for backing our club and helping us continue to grow. I would also like to acknowledge our guest speakers who generously gave up their time to deliver informative and engaging fishing presentations. Your knowledge and experience add tremendous value to our club nights.
To all of our members who have supported the club and volunteered your time throughout the year — thank you. This club only works because of the people in it. We’ve also had some fantastic competitions throughout the year — including the Mackerel Classic, the All Species competition and the Wilson Elite Series.
A big thank you to all of the sponsors who supported these events. Your backing allows us to continue running quality competitions for our members.
One of the major highlights of the year was the 31st Flathead Classic, which attracted more than 600 anglers. Like many major events, we faced some challenges. The cost of running the Flathead Classic increased by 25 percent compared to the previous year. But as always, we found a way to make it work.
We had the incredible support of 34 sponsors, and close to $500,000 was given away in the 2025 event. In what has been a tough year for many, several sponsors stepped up even further to help drive ticket sales and ensure the event’s success — and for that, we are extremely grateful.
Well done to everyone who rolled up their sleeves and put in the hard work to make this event happen. Events of this scale don’t just happen — they are the result of commitment, teamwork and a genuine passion for our club.
I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together. The Gold Coast Sportfishing Club is in a strong position, and that comes down to the people in this room — the volunteers, the sponsors, the members and the supporters who believe in what this club stands for.
Thank you all for being part of the journey and for continuing to make this the best fishing club in Queensland.
Danny Sands president@gcsfc.com.au