Source: ANGFA News, Issue 62, November 2019, pages 7–22. Author: Chris Lamin. Convention photos by Franz-Peter Muellenholz and Greg Martin.  View original scan (PDF)

Wow what a wonderful couple of days and nights! The Melbourne Convention is only my second since joining ANGFA. I must say it was a complete eye opener from the perspective of just how much blood sweat and tears go into organising such an event, and the enormous stress of pulling it all together on the day. Our Convention Committee was made up of some seasoned ‘conventioners’ and myself who had no idea what I had signed myself up for! We made an excellent team and produced I believe, ok I might be a tad biased, an exciting, informative convention with heaps of time for attendees and presenters to mix and mingle, achieved primarily through having the meals, accommodation, and convention at the one venue – no need to travel so all of our time could be spent chatting and catching up.

For me the best part of the convention was the fact that we had over eighty guests and presenters, all passionate fish people, in the same room, at the same time. I am relatively isolated living in East Gippsland, so having that many people together that I could talk fish to, without that glazed look crossing their eyes when I mention Pygmy Perch, was just the best experience.

I thoroughly enjoyed Wim’s two talks about the magnificent ‘Blue Eyes’ and his travelogue of wild collecting in New Guinea, but felt frustrated that such adventures are not available to fish keepers here in Australia. What a wonderful thing to be able to introduce more of these beautiful fishes into our hobby, as Wim has done.

Always great to see how other fish keepers in other parts of the world keep and appreciate our ANGFA natives: Franz-Peter ever the entertainer did a magnificent job with his presentation comprising interviews and fish room tours with some leading European aquarists.

Phil’s microscope presentation into all things parasitic was both fascinating and gross at the same time but it did make me go home and dig out my microscope!

Presentations by Tarmo, Tim, Mike, Greg and Keith really brought home what a delicate balance our natives are currently surviving in, it is up to all of us to do our part to help preserve these special fish before it is too late.

Peter’s presentation reminded us that although this country is huge, many of our river systems are intricately linked. Using modern science such as DNA can and is giving us a greater understanding of our natives, and possibly how we can manage these different genetic populations to assist in their long-term survival.

Alison was able to give us a fantastic overview of life up the ‘top end’ and the importance of the wet season and the massive seasonal rain events that occur. I must say that being a farmer, I have often witnessed these rain events on tv etc and thought, we should be able to harness this resource and utilise it better, but after Alison’s presentation I have a very new – improved view of this. So many iconic species rely on this massive inflow of nutrient rich water, without the peak flows that achieve this we would be all the poorer.

Congratulations to Derek and Lorraine Girkin and Glenn Briggs, who became Life Members of ANGFA.

And well done to everyone who supported the Convention Mega-Auction, either by donating goods, or by spending up at the auction. Thanks to Alan at Livefish.com.au; interstate attendees from WA, Qld and NSW took advantage of his offer to help ship fish home, so they were able to then purchase some rare fish at the auction knowing the fish would be delivered to their door after the convention. An excellent service provided by Alan, which we hope will be repeated at future convention auctions.

It was great to see a wide range of species auctioned, as well as a nice range of native fish-related books going under the hammer. The end result was a nice profit which will go towards ANGFA’s running costs and conservation efforts.

I can’t wait for the next convention, roll on 2021.

Chris Lamin

On following pages there is a selection of photos from the convention taken by Franz-Peter Muellenholz and Greg Martin.

Glenn Briggs auctions off a bag of fish during the Convention Mega Auction. Photo: Greg Martin

Convention Photo Gallery

Karl Moy, Graham Thompson, Michael Jones, Peter Unmack, David Shoesmith, Greg Martin, Graeme Finsen, John Lenagan and Keith Martin · Derek Girkin and Glenn Briggs · Lorraine and Derek Girkin · Chris Lamin manning the registration desk. Photos: Franz-Peter

Chris Lamin and Glenn Briggs · Rod and Annemarie Wubbin, Chris Lamin and Greg Wallis · Annemarie Wubbin and Michael Cocks · Greg Wallis · Greg Wallis’ stunning convention booklet. Photos: Franz-Peter

Paul Byham · John Lenagan and Greg Martin · Greg Wallis and Gunther Schmida’s stunning Rainbowfish poster · Greg Wallis and Wim Heemskirk · Chris Lamin at the registration desk · Tissue cultured plants from Paul Byham’s lab. Photos: Franz-Peter

Greg and Seth Martin · Small aquarium displaying Little Galaxias Galaxiella toourtkoourt · Central Highlands Spiny Crayfish Euastacus woiwuru · Gippsland Spiny Crayfish Euastacus kershawi · All the water for the display aquariums was brought in · on display were 6 aquariums showcasing a variety of Victorian aquatic animals including several species of Galaxias, 2 species of Spiny Crayfish, Smelt, Flathead Gudgeon, Dwarf Flathead Gudgeon and Southern Pygmy Perch. Photos: Greg Martin

David, who came all the way from Hawaii, and Franz-Peter · Steve Brooks and Wim Heemskirk · Lorraine Girkin, Tony Tucceri and Derek Girkin · Ian Baddock and Wim Heemskirk · John Lenagan and Franz-Peter · Franz-Peter holding his speaker gift. Photos: Franz-Peter

Greg Wallis, Wim Heemskirk and John Lenagan · Greg Martin and Wim Heemskirk · Paul Byham and Franz-Peter · Michael Cocks and Eddie Tootle manning the trade table · ANGFA cups designed by Greg Wallis. Photos: Franz-Peter

A slide from Tarmo Raadik’s wonderful Galaxias presentation · Tarmo Raadik holding his speaker gift · Greg Martin and Michael Hammer · Tarmo Raadik and Greg Martin · Chris Lamin, Peter Unmack, Matt McGee and Michael Hammer. Photos: Greg Martin & Franz-Peter

Peter Unmack · John Lenagan and Peter Unmack · Derek Girkin, Peter Unmack and Lorraine Girkin · Wim Heemskirk and Peter Unmack. Photos: Franz-Peter

Wim Heemskirk, Leo O’Reilly and Ross Weber · Leo O’Reilly · Derek Girkin. Photos: Franz-Peter

Graham Thompson, David Shoesmith, Greg Martin, Graeme Finsen and John Lenagan · Alison King receiving her speaker gift · John Buckley and Lorraine Girkin · Brian Hendrickson, Eddie Tootle, Darrel Chase and Nevil Amos · Michael Cocks, Darrell Chase, Brian Hendrickson, Amy Brooks, Steve Brooks, Tony Fowler, John Buckley and Ian Baddock. Photos: Franz-Peter

Ron Bowman and daughter Sandra · Greg Martin, Sandra and Ron Bowman · Ron Bowman and John Lenagan · Ron Bowman and Peter Unmack · Saturday night dinner. Photos: Franz-Peter

Tim Curmi · Keith Martin and Bruce Hansen · John Lenagan and Greg Martin · Keith Martin holding his speaker gift · John Lenagan lighting Bruce Hansen’s birthday cake sparklers · Wim Heemskirk and Bruce Hansen. Photos: Franz-Peter

Glenn Briggs, auctioneer extraordinaire! · Steve Brooks · Alan Sambell from Livefish.com.au. Photos: Greg Martin & Franz-Peter

Glenn Briggs auctions off a beautiful painting from John Lenagan · Delegates queuing to pay for auction purchases · Ross Weber · John Lenagan and Paul Byham keeping tabs on auction purchases · Greg Martin thanks the convention organising committee and key helpers: Michael Cocks, John Lenagan, Rod Wubbin, Chris Lamin, Glenn Briggs, Gybe Forster, Paul Byham and Greg Wallis. Photos: Franz-Peter

Chris Lamin · Will it all fit in this small van? · The frenetic pull down of the display aquariums · Yes, it all fitted in! Big thanks to Leo and Ron O’Reilly, Glenn Briggs, Paul Byham, Greg Wallis and Graeme Finsen. Photos: Franz-Peter & Greg Martin