Home Hill State High School's 2025 Fishing Competition marked a lively weekend for the Burdekin from 25–27 July, luring anglers from across the state to take part in one of the region’s biggest fishing events. Thousands in prizes were on offer across casting, raffles and the Longest and Mystery Length barramundi categories, with each catch photographed on custom brag mats to promote catch‑and‑release.
Sunday’s Family Funday wrapped it all up with music, food stalls, a licensed bar, kids’ activities and the big weigh‑in. Organised by the Home Hill State High School P&C with help from students, staff, parents and sponsors, plus weigh‑masters from the Burdekin District Sportfishing Club, the event successfully raised valuable funds for the school.
Results
Lucky Angler Draw (Open): Jessie Shreeve took home a Blue Steel rod, three Berkley lures, a Machin & Sons Custom Coolers NQ voucher, and a Pensini Alloys crab measurer valued at $239.
U12 Junior Lucky Angler 1: Henry Sutcliffe won an Ugly Stik combo, bag and lure pack, fishing shirt, lip grips and torch, plus a PCYC water bottle, worth $190.
U12 Junior Lucky Angler 2: Scott Walters Jnr received the same prize package as Henry, valued at $190.
Longest Barramundi: Saxon Petersen earned a Shimano SLX combo (8ft), Wilson cast net, two Berkley Pro-Tech Lure FT, and two squid jigs, totaling $505.
Mystery Length Barramundi: Rowen Petersen was awarded a Shimano Sahara combo, Berkley Pro-Tech lure, and Shimano Colt Sniper lure worth $309.
Heaviest Bream: Jackson Walters took home a Daiwa RX Spin combo, Wilson Blue Steel rod, and Berkley lure pack valued at $364.
Heaviest Cod: Matteo Covolo received a Shimano Hyperloop combo, Berkley lure pack, Berkley Pro-Tech lure, and Shimano Colt Sniper lure worth $280.
Heaviest Finger Mark: Harvey Mauro earned an Abu Max Pro combo, Wilson Blue Steel rod, and Berkley Pro-Tech lure valued at $398.
Heaviest Flathead: Keatan Jarvis won a Rovex Endurance rod combo and Wilson Blue Steel rod worth $269.
Heaviest Grunter: Tait Levitt took home a Daiwa PR100 Bait Caster combo, Wilson Blue Steel rod, and Berkley Pro-Tech lure valued at $358.
Heaviest Mangrove Jack: Declyn Carr received a Shimano OC Bait Runner combo, Shimano Sienna reel, Colt Sniper 140 lure, and Berkley Pro-Tech lure worth $384.
Heaviest Mud Crab (live & tied): Declyn Carr won the top prize, while Oliver Amerena took second place with a Crab’n Gear 900ml pop up pot, float rope, crab measurer, and Pensini Alloys crab measurer valued at $130.
Heaviest Whiting: Mia Reece earned a Rovex Endurance rod combo, Wilson Blue Steel rod, and Berkley lure pack valued at $359.
Mystery Weight Bream: Austin Davenport took home a Daiwa RX Spin combo and Berkley lure pack worth $215.
Mystery Weight Cod: Amber Betteridge won a Shimano Sienna combo and Berkley lure pack valued at $225.
Mystery Weight Finger Mark: The winner received an Abu Max combo and two Berkley Pro-Tech lures worth $239.
Mystery Weight Flathead: Mitchell Hamilton earned a Rovex Endurance rod combo and Berkley lure pack valued at $216.
Mystery Weight Grunter: Ellie Sutcliffe took home a Daiwa PR100 combo and Berkley lure pack worth $275.
Mystery Weight Mangrove Jack: Adam Jarvis won a Shimano Ciaus combo, Shimano Colt Sniper lure 140, and Berkley Pro-Tech lure valued at $254.
Mystery Weight Mud Crab (live & tied): Riley Betteridge received a Crab’n Gear 900ml pop-up pot, float rope, and crab measurer worth $115.
Mystery Weight Whiting: Mia Reece earned a Rovex Endurance rod combo and Berkley lure pack valued at $216.
Interschool Fishing Competition (Champion School): Home Hill State High School was awarded a 20L Esky, About Town Bait & Tackle cap, two Berkley lures, and PCYC water bottles valued at $200.
Casting Competition U12 Winner: Riley Betteridge took home a Bite Science lure pack, PCYC water bottle, soccer ball, and ANNZACK trading voucher worth $90.
Casting Competition Open Winner: Dekoda Clubb received a Bite Science lure pack, PCYC water bottle, soccer ball, and ANNZACK trading voucher valued at $90.
Raffle Winners: First prize went to Melissa Jarvis and second to Joyce Bianco. The $650 prize pool included a 20L Esky, About Town Bait & Tackle cap, Berkley lures, Machin & Sons Custom Coolers NQ voucher, gas swap voucher, crab measurer, merchandise packs, vouchers, and wine.
Colour-in Competition Winners: Ramsey Corradi and Gray John Perry took first place, with Ellie Sutcliffe and Everly Nicholas as runners-up. Prizes included Cowboys merchandise packs, Machin & Sons Custom Coolers NQ vouchers, PCYC water bottles, crab measurer, and a PCYC soccer ball, valued at $265.
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