Continuing the tradition of promoting environmentally responsible practices at Fraser Island, competitors were again encouraged to limit their impact on the island and leave it in a better condition than they found it.

In addition to the environmental wins, a number of lucky competitors have driven away with some incredible prizes, totalling over $200,000. Brett Claydon from Redland Bay won the major prize of a brand new Toyota HiLux 4x4V6 single cab chassis.

Peter Hayes from Byangum, NSW also drove away with a brand new Toyota Yaris

David Bennett of Oxley won the Haines Hunter 470 Breeze boat with aYamaha 80HP four-stroke outboardmotor and trailer valued at over $36,000. The Arnhemland Barramundi Nature Lodge Fishing trip for three to Maningrida, valued at nearly $20,000, went to Geoffrey Langham of Cleveland.

Toyota’s Marketing Manager for the northern region, Simon Clarke, said this year’s Expo was a huge success and would continue to leave a legacy on Fraser Island and the wider environment.

“This year over 700 fish were released as part of the ‘Catch, Weigh and Release’ category which not only promotes sustainability on the island during the Expo but also encourages competitors to adopt this practise in their wider fishing practises,” he said.

Many competitors went to great lengths to ensure fish were kept alive so they could be in the running to win the $3000 prize for heaviest live fish in the ‘Catch, Weigh and Release’ catagory.

The fun wasn’t just confined to fishing, with nightly entertainment featuring artists like Tania Kernaghan. The offroad Toyota drive track was also high on the list of things for competitors to experience.

“More than 300 test drives in several different vehicles took place over the course of the week with competitors relishing the chance to put the vehicles through their paces in true offroad conditions,” Clarke said.

Fraser Island is listed on the world heritage program and is the world’s largest sand island, measuring 126km long and 25km wide.

For more information about the 2007 Toyota Fraser Island Fishing Expo, including the 2007 results, visit fraserisland.toyota.com.au. – Adam Vincenzini