History

The History of Field & Game Australia
The Victorian Field and Game Association was established in 1958 at Sale. The name comes from "field sportsmen" and "game management' abbreviated to "Field and Game'. Field and Game was formed by hunters who were concerned at the loss of wetland habitat for the game birds they loved to observe and hunt. At its first meeting the Association adopted the following motto which, up until recent times, appeared on all its letterheads:

"The wildlife of today is not ours to dispose of as we please.
We must account for it to those who come after".
~ King George Vl ~

Other resolutions adopted at that first meeting in 1958 were:

1. To develop Victorian facilities for game bird hunting by the promotion of game bird conservation and management projects. 
2. To develop a greater public appreciation of the pleasures and values of game bird hunting. 
3. To organise a deputation to the Chief Secretary seeking the establishment of a shooter's licence to fund game conservation.

Growth
Initially the Association concentrated its efforts on three wetlands of significance. These were Winton Swamp near Benalla (now Lake Mokoan). Tower Hill in Western Victoria and Jack Smith's Lake in Gippsland.

In those early days this Association appeared as radical in its aims as many contemporary conservation groups do today. This was because hunters placed a value on swampland, which because of its unsuitability for agriculture was otherwise regarded as being useless. For example, in the 1950's the idea that regulated water from irrigation systems should be available to wetlands was deemed ludicrous.

During 1998 the Association became a truly National Organisation with a new constitution and name change. Now known as Field & Game Australia Inc., our more modern Constitution and Aims and Objectives better prepare our Association for the future.

With 60 Branches Australia wide and continuing growth, we have both the resources, financial and manpower to fulfil our Mission Statement.

Patrons
The late Sir Henry Bolte became a patron during his term as Premier of Victoria. Other patrons include former Victorian Governor the late Sir Rohan Delacombe, former Prime Minister the Hon. Malcolm Fraser and more recently the Hon. Tom Austin and renowned wildlife scientist Dr Grahame Webb.
Under Sir Henry Bolte's watchful eye, the sought after Shooter's Licence was quickly established in 1959 and the first ever funds became available for game and wildlife management. Important areas of waterfowl habitat were purchased and the Game Research Station at Serindip near Lara was established - now a popular wetland education centre.

Many of the wetland reserves in Victoria owe their existence to the shooters licence, which today raises over $4 million annually. A new Game Licence introduced in 1990 raises another $1.25 million annually.
In addition to licence revenue the Association undertakes voluntary conservation projects using its own financial and human resources. These projects may involve building and maintenance of water control structures, revegetation works, pest animal control, waterfowl monitoring, construction and installation of  duck nesting boxes and research.

Recognition of these efforts came in 1978 when the Association won the Conservation Council of Victoria's prestigious prize for the organisation that had contributed the most to conservation over a 5-year period.

The Hunter's Role
As hunters we have an obligation to continue playing an active role in the management of habitat and wildlife resources. Wildlife is a renewable resource but it is one that can be destroyed without proper management. Through careful control of habitat we can ensure the long-term survival of those species dependent on wetland environments. Some doubt, that hunting and conservation are compatible. However, history has shown that when populations are culled under controlled hunting, the intense interest of hunters in the welfare of the target species virtually ensures their survival.

Target Shooting
The Association established clay target shooting as a way for hunters to improve their marksmanship  and train juniors in safe firearm handling. The activity has grown and there is now in excess of 50 clay target shooting ranges operating regularly in across Australia. 

Summary
Field and Game Australia has been a very active organisation throughout its history. In addition to its work on wetlands habitat, and developing the sport of simulated field shooting, it has been active in firearms safety training, defending the priviledge of members to own and use firearms and to hunt recognised game species. Our members are also active in hunting of pest species such as rabbit, fox and pig that are a devastation on our native flora and fauna. It is unusual for an organisation to have such a broad range of activities. We believe we serve our members well in all these areas and we will continue to work hard at achieving our stated aims and objectives.