Twenty years ago, a group of people gathered together in Coonabarabran with the idea of establishing a local Riding for the Disabled Association. Among those at the first planning meetings was local woman Hazel Aylett.
Two decades on, many riders and volunteers have come and gone, but Hazel is still an active member of the Coonabarabran RDA, dedicating countless hours to the running of the much valued service.
Currently juggling the roles of association secretary, treasurer and riding coach, Hazel said it was a natural step for her to join the club, having grown up on a large farm where horses were a part of her everyday life.
“I was brought up on the edge of the Pilliga Scrub and all our transport and all our work on the farm centred around horses,” Hazel said.
“We ploughed with the horses and certainly rode them to muster stock – all my family loved horses, and when I moved to a smaller farm where it wasn’t practical to have them, I thought if I joined the RDA I could still work with horses while giving back to the community at the same time.”
During her time with RDA, the mother of three and grandmother of seven has seen hundreds of children pass through the program, and has witnessed the countless benefits the program provides to both the riders and the riding helpers.
“I and the other volunteers get such joy from seeing the children doing something that gives them such immense pleasure and that also helps them achieve both physically and mentally,” Mrs Aylett said.
“There are also therapeutic benefits for the volunteers, the feeling of being part of a team and the satisfaction of a job well done.”
30 students are currently enrolled in the RDA program, all enjoying the benefits of fortnightly riding lessons at the group’s headquarters located at the Coonabarabran showground – a venue made all the more impressive with the recent renovation of the association’s clubhouse, opened late last year by Senator Nash.
During her visit, Senator Nash had the opportunity to chat with volunteers and riders, and see first hand the benefits of RDA.
“I was just so impressed by the passion and enthusiasm Hazel and the team of volunteers displayed in the work they’re doing for the local community and it was plain to see, just by looking at the faces of the riders, the benefits it brings,” Senator Nash said.
“The Coonabarabran RDA is a perfect example of the community spirit rural and regional Australia thrives on.”
Photo: Hazel Aylett with Senator Nash Source:
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