Foundation Year (1936)

The Sandringham Anglers' Club was formed in 1936. Detailed information about the early years of the clubs history is patchy as records have been lost through age and water damage over the years.

It is known that the initial moves for the formation of the club were begun by Bill Earwicker and Charlie Herrod. The original meeting of a group of enthusiasts was held in Charlie Poole`s boat shed, which was supposedly on the site of the present day Hampton Sailing Club (formerly the Victorian Ladies Yacht Club). The initial propositions were for the club to be created, for the club to purchase Charlie Poole's boatshed and for Bill Earwicker's boats to be hired out to members.

Following brief advertisements in the local press and the Sandringham News, the foundation meeting was held in Poole's boatshed and was attended by L Shaw, who was elected temporary Chairman, W Poole, A Cox, D.J Heath, C Herrod, W Earwicker and G Bulmer.

Subsequent meetings were held in a hall adjacent to the Sandringham Town Hall which was then in Abbott Street, the present site of The Citizens Advice Bureau. Within a short period of time following the foundation meting the membership total grew to Twenty-nine.

The formation of the Sandringham Anglers' Club appeared to attract considerable interest and public support, and a surprising degree of sponsorship from individuals and businesses. In the first year, at least fourteen donors offered trophies and awards.

Original donors included Bissets (Still standing in Bay Road) and Straw's of Sandringham, and much farther afield, the Melbourne Sports Depot and Hartleys of Melbourne. Others then and in the following year included the then notable angler and generous patron, Mrs. Searle, Hillside Dairy, Doctors Hager and McPherson, C Dobin, M Ryan, A Cox and the city firm of Evans and Balfour. Still other donors were A DeLittle, W Poole, H Wood, H Kirkham, R Belcher, T Turton, and a Mr Jenkins.

In August of the following year a constitution was drawn up and adopted, establishing rules not only for club membership, but also for club competition, both inter-club and domestic. Annual fees were then 5/- for senior members 2/6 for junior members and nomination fees were 2/6. The first year ended with 39 financial members. There were 14 donors of trophies and there were 11 trophy winners.

1937 to 1938

Committee comprised of President Lester Shaw, Vice President A Cox, A DeLittle, G Atkinson, Secretary J Coleman, Treasurer, W Hewitt, Committee, G Bulmer, T Torton, and O Woods.

They had 46 financial members and 9 trophy donors.

Patrons of the club were H Kerkcham, C Jenkins, F Woods, M Ryan, Dr McPherson, Mrs. Searle and Dr Hagar.

Donors of trophies for that year was Melbourne Sports Depot, Hartey's, Evan Balfour, H Kerkham, M Ryan, N Bissett, Dr Hagar, M Belcher, C Jenkins, A Cox, W Poole, G.R Ward and S Kohler.

1939 - 1940

President J.A Hutchinson, Immediate past President Leslie Shaw, Vice President A Cox, C Dobbin, and W Hewitt. Secretary J.R Coleman, Organising Secretaryand Treasurer P .J Heath. Committee Leslie Shaw, G Bulmer, A Venn, W Chamberlain and J Penrice.

Financial Membership was 50 Trophy donors 13.

In 1940, negotiations were held with Sandringham Council regarding the site for the building of a clubhouse. The available notes say that materials were purchased for the grand sum of 39 Pounds, including "Galvanized iron and Stumps"

1960s & 70s

During the 60s and 70s the club enjoyed record membership, competed in many fishing carnivals and also developed the present day club rooms.

The club also started fishing in more remote areas such as Coffin Bay, Bemm River, & the surf beaches along the Ninety Mile Beach.

Other innovations during this time where the acquisition of two Dune Buggies for the surf fisherman (One was sunk in sand and could not be saved; the other was lost to the tides.) Also the three wooden club boats where used extensively over this period with many large captures of snapper taken.

Many social events where held over this period including social dances at the Highett West Hall regularly attracting 150 members and guests also smoke nights and picture nights were very popular.

The club was also host to quite large Christmas parties during the 60s & 70s with up to 70 children from St Anthonys Home for Children in Kew being invited along as special guests joining in with up to 100 members' children, greeting Santa on the foreshore as he arrived by boat.

Fishing during this period was quite good with the following extract from our 1968 records as an example: "For the first half of the season a total of 182 Snapper have been caught for a total weight of 1242 lb 11 oz with the average weight being 6 lb 4 1/2 oz. The heaviest 18 lb and the smallest 1 lb 3 oz."

It is also interesting to note members of this time where concerned with environmental problems such as Scallop Dredging in the Bay and also the build up of sand in Sandringham Harbour.

1980s & 90s

This period was dominated by the very popular "Top of the Bay" Snapper contest held every November, this competition regularly attracted hundreds of keen fishermen from all over Victoria.

2000s

The most significant event in the 2000's has been the dredging of Port Phillip Bay. Despite dredging taking place in 2007, fish capture records for Port Phillip Bay over the 2007/2008 summer were very good.

The other significant development for the club in the 2000's is the growth in kayak-based anglers joining the club. Such has been the popularity of this form of the sport that kayak racks were constructed in 2009 for the storage of 6 kayaks, which were filled quickly.

2010s

Additional kayak racks were constructed in 2012 for the storage of 6 more kayaks, which were once again quickly filled.