History of the Cod Classic Fishing Competition

The Cod Classic is organised and ran entirely by a dedicated and loyal band of volunteers from the Mulwala Football / Netball Club. The competition is used as a means to raise much needed funds to help keep the club afloat with the primary objective being to put the majority of funds raised into the maintaining and redevelopment of the new multi-purpose community centre based at Lonsdale Reserve.

The idea of running a fishing competition for the club was first conceived by club president Brian McKee in early 2000. This idea was put to the committee with the support from all. Almost overnight the club was up and running with the idea and “The Big Catch” was born. This event was held in late February 2000 attracting on 44 competitors. From that day on the direction of the competition and the date of the event has changed to make it into what it is today, the “Cod Classic”, Australia’s richest freshwater fishing event.

The competitor base ranged from people as far away as from Melbourne to Brisbane, Ulladulla to Portland and Omeo to Mildura. Unofficially, the congregation of trailerable boats at the Cod Classic is a world record of the largest amount of fishing boats ever assembled at the one point at the same time. An estimated 1300 converged on Lake Mulwala for the 2006 competition. This is an amazing sight to see but surprisingly there is still plenty of room to fish on the lake and river.

Apart from being a major fundraiser for the club, proceeds of the competition are also donated back into the local community. Groups / Organizations to have benefited in the past have been Mulwala & Yarrawonga Primary Schools, Yarrawonga SES and Mulwala & Yarrawonga Fire Brigades.

In 2001 a massive fish release was instigated by the committee of the MFNC bringing together funds from Mulwala Football Netball Club, NSW Fisheries, Fisheries Victoria and Rex Hunt Futurefish Foundation to see the release of 110000 Golden Perch into Lake Mulwala. This was the first time cross border parties have come together in such a venture. In 2003, $2800 was donated to the Fishcare group. Fishcare is a voluntary group of dedicated people who assist with the education of children on the enjoyment that be gained from fishing and general catch & release techniques. 

In 2001 the Mulwala Football Netball Club won the Peter Tonner award for excellence in tourism. The criteria for this award is having vision, recognizing potential, building the dream, creating the demand, delivering the service and expanding on the rewards. This award and is decided upon by the Yarrawonga – Mulwala Tourism Association and is held in great esteem throughout the local business fraternity. At the presentation evening, the Tourist Association estimated the competition generated approximately $3.2 million for the region. In 2006 the Cod Classic was awarded first place in the Yarrawonga - Mulwala Business Excellence Awards for Tourism.

The committee of the Cod Classic strives to make this the best fishing event on the calendar and guarantee anybody who makes the trip to Yarrawonga / Mulwala for the competition will not go home disappointed. Attend a Cod Classic and become part of the history!