Origins
FGA’s guiding principles and purposes as established more than 50 years ago are even more important and more relevant today.
Principles and Purposes
Guiding Principles
Field and Game Australia (formerly the Victorian Field & Game Association) was pioneered by recreational Waterfowl Hunters who recognised that development of farmland after the Second World War was seriously encroaching on important wetlands, causing a rapid decline in waterfowl populations through the state of Victoria. The first Field and Game branch was established as a direct response to these concerns.
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 have it in trust.
We must account for it to those who come after".
~ King George Vl ~
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.
Other resolutions adopted at that first meeting in 1958 were:
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To develop Victorian facilities for game bird hunting by the promotion of game bird conservation and management projects.
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To develop a greater public appreciation of the pleasures and values of game bird hunting.
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To organise a deputation to the Chief Secretary seeking the establishment of a shooter's license to fund game conservation.
Starting Out
Initially the Association concentrated its efforts on three wetlands of significance:
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Winton Swamp near Benalla (now Lake Mokoan)
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Tower Hill in Western Victoria and
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Jack Smith's Lake in Gippsland
In those early days the 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. Many in the community thought the FGA members odd in the 1950's when they proposed that regulated water from irrigation systems should be available to wetlands.
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. Current Patrons include former Prime Minister the Hon. Malcolm Fraser, the Hon. Tom Austin, renowned scientist Dr Grahame Webb and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon. David Hawker.
Building Assets for all Australians
Members of the Association lobbied strongly for the introduction of a shooter’s license system that would make funds available for the protection of wetland habitats. Under Sir Henry Bolte’s watchful eye, the Shooter's License was established in 1959 and provided Victoria’s first ever funds 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 license, which today raises over $4 million annually. A new Game License introduced in 1990 raises another $1 million annually.
Taking a Personal Interest
In addition to license revenue the Association’s members undertake voluntary conservation projects using their own financial and other resources. FGA Branches continue to work actrively on remedial water control, revegetation, vermin control, waterfowl counts, artificial nesting boxes and fencing.
The following wetlands are just a few of the many that have benefited from major "on ground" conservation works initiated by Field and Game hunters.
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- Jack Smiths Lake (Yarram)
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- Darebin Creek (Northern Suburbs Melbourne)
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- Fishers Wetland (Phillip Island)
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- Black and Purdeys Swamp ( Wunghnu)
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- Tower Hill State Game Reserve (Warrnambool)
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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.
A Foundation for the Future
During 1998 the Association became a truly National Organisation with a new constitution and name change. With more than 60 branches Australia wide, Field & Game Australia, is continuing to grow. 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 right of members to own and use firearms and to hunt recognised game species. Our members are also active in hunting of vermin species such as rabbit, fox and pig that are devastating on our flora and fauna. It is unusual for an organisation to have such a broad range of activities. We believe we have served our members well in all these areas and we will continue to work hard at achieving our goals.
The WET Trust
The Wetland Environmental Task Force (Public Fund) “WET” was formed in 2001. The “WET” was formed by Field and Game Australia Inc. to provide a vehicle for funding the acquisition, rehabilitation and maintenance of Australian wetlands.
WET has been endorsed as a Deductable Gift Recipient (DGR) organisation by the Australian Taxation Office and Environment Australia.
This endorsement entitles donor Businesses and Individuals to claim Income Tax Deductions for donations to the fund under Division 30 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.
WET offers every Australian an opportunity to take positive action to protect and enhance Australia's remaining wetlands.
Since its establishment, the Trust has made significant investments purchasing and rehabilitating land within the Heart Morass near Sale in Victoria.
Excellent partnerships have been formed with the Hugh Williamson Foundation, Watermark Inc., the Bug Blitz Trust and West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA).
For further information about the WET Trust and the excellent results being achieved at the Heart Morass go to the Conservation section of this website. | 
