About the Club

Our history, the island, and our people

NWGFC

The Nor-West Game Fishing Club has been bringing members together for over 60 years, united by a love of game fishing and the remarkable natural beauty of the Dampier Archipelago. Based on Rosemary Island — a pristine island off the West Australian coast — the club offers its members an experience like no other: world-class fishing waters, a remote island setting, and a close-knit community forged over decades of shared time on the water.

A Brief History of the Club

Norwest Game Fishing Club was incorporated in July 1963, marking the beginning of our official presence in the Dampier Archipelago. The Club’s early direction was shaped by Dr Carl Georgeff, our first President who was a prominent Perth surgeon and President of the WA Game Fishing Association. Dr Georgeff envisioned a dedicated game fishing hub in the Pilbara and championed the establishment of a northern base close to waters renowned for their abundance of game fish.

 

This vision led to the selection of Rosemary Island as the Club’s home. Its proximity to the new developments of  Karratha and Dampier and its position on the western edge of the Archipelago, offered outstanding access to offshore fishing grounds and created the perfect base for a thriving game fishing community.

 

In the early years, the Club collaborated with government agencies to construct its first facilities, including a meteorological station and accommodation for Army R&R. Over time, these buildings were expanded and modernised, evolving into today’s well‑appointed island shack that continues to serve as the heart of our operations.

 

Today, Norwest Game Fishing Club continues to grow, attracting anglers from Western Australia and across the country. We remain committed to preserving the natural beauty of the Archipelago while offering memorable fishing experiences and fostering a strong, vibrant community.

Shack
Boat launching

Rosemary Island

Rosemary Island is at the heart of everything the club does. Located in the Dampier Archipelago, the island was named by early explorer William Dampier after a shrub he believed resembled English rosemary.


The club’s headquarters on Rosemary Island provides members with accommodation, shared amenities and direct access to some of the best game fishing waters in Western Australia.


Our members share a deep respect for this unique environment and are committed to preserving it for future generations.

Club Charter Boat

Si-Bon II is the club’s 42-foot ex-cray boat based in Dampier. She features a 7-metre working deck, 4-metre beam, removable transom gate, and capacity for 8 rods via 2 marlin poles. The boat is available to members during the season as part of their island week.

Executive Committee

Mat Hoskin
Andy Czerw
John Nicholas
Paula Johnstone
John Hallam

President
Vice President
Treasurer
Club Secretary
Patron

Committee Members

Robert Taylor-Rennie
Andy Knowles
Mark Steel
Kingsley Lewis
John Smith
Ken Thomas
Peter Browne
John Allen

Maintenance Officer
Booking Officer
Weighmaster
Lease Coordinator

Need help?

Contact the Club Secretary at enquiries@nwgfc.com.au – we are happy to help with any questions about membership or the club.