THE distinguished gentleman fishing off Sydney Harbour yesterday wasn’t just passing time on a sunny spring morning.

Governor-General Michael Jeffery was providing fishing tips to four special children from his private jetty at the back of Admiralty House in Kirribilli.

“This is smelly — that’s what fishing is all about,” Major- General Jeffery declared cheerfully as he threaded a prawn onto a hook.

He said the jetty, with its spectacular views across Sydney Harbour, was a favourite fishing spot for him and his wife, although he conceded they rarely found the time among official duties.

The reason for the event was to promote the importance of organ donors.

Each of the children taking tips from General Jeffery said they would not be alive but for heart or liver transplants.

Anthony Edwards, 14, who received a new heart in 1998, surprised everybody, including the Governor-General, by catching a massive bream within minutes of casting a line.

“If I didn’t have my heart transplant, I wouldn’t be here today,” he said. “Tell your friends to register because it might be them some day.”

General Jeffery and his wife, Marlena, later registered online as organ donors to promote the important cause.

“People have the opportunity to share the gift of life, enabling others to enjoy relatively normal, happy, active and productive lives,” General Jeffery said.

Annette King, mother of 10-year-old liver recipient Liam, recalled the agonising 10-month wait for a compatible donor, after which Liam’s doctors said he could have lived for only six more weeks.

“We’re very fortunate to have him here today,” Ms King said.

“The gift of life is the ultimate gift,” said Transplant Australia director Graham Harrison, whose dead son’s organs saved the lives of two young people in 1993. “We saved two families from the grief we went through.”

To register online go to www.hic.gov.au or phone the Australian Donor Register on 1800 777 203.