Volunteer of 20 Years:
Joan

“After retiring and getting my first hip done in 2000, I joined RDA Ryde Centre which was then in Putney near Gladesville. At the time, I didn’t know what end of a horse was which, but soon got this sorted!!”
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Rider Highlight:
Amy & Kade

“Kade and I are a good team – we both have four ‘legs’ (I walk with crutches)… We do different activities throughout the lesson, our favourite is called ‘Stop-Go’ (sometimes Kade takes a few extra steps, but now I know how to make him go back if he cheats).”
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Garden Gang:
Feng

Feng is vastly overqualified for the work he does with us. He has given every powered appliance in our centre a new lease of life by completely disassembling them to their smallest components and then reassembling them to his exacting standards.
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Volunteer Highlight:
Sheena

Sheena has been a volunteer with RDA Ryde for about 15 years. She says her initial motivation was selfish due to a love of horses but then quickly saw the benefit and joy therapy horse-riding brought to the riders.
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Garden Gang:
Wei & Kel

Our prize winning gardens are due to the amazing team – the Garden Gang – led by these two “superheroes” who have conquered (and continue to conquer) personal and health issues that have defeated many a mere mortal.
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Saturday Volunteer 2019:
Madz

“I first started volunteering at RDA Ryde in July 2017 when a friend brought me along to volunteer. I had only minimal knowledge of disabilities and no experience working with children, let alone how to handle horses!”
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Garden Gang:
Sea Star

We’re very lucky to have Sea Star as a regular in our Garden Gang. Since joining us a few years ago, he’s always found carrying out the most physically demanding and dirtiest of tasks around our grounds.
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Volunteer Highlight:
Ron

Ron settled into a life of volunteering after having “wasted” nearly half a century wandering the earth as an electronic vagrant.
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Volunteer Highlight:
Peter

“Initially I wondered if I had done the right thing to sign up as a volunteer when I had only thought of doing one particular thing but it has been the best job satisfaction I’ve had in years.”
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Rider Highlight:
Jessica & Sparkle

“A few years ago I started learning dressage and it is a challenge for me because I have to think about which way to go. After the class I am very tired because I am using my muscles, which is good therapy.”
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RDA(NSW) Young Volunteer of the Year – Metropolitan Region

We are absolutely stoked that Jessie has been recognised now by RDA(NSW)! She has become a pillar of support at Ryde Centre on Saturdays and we hope this award encourages Jessie as she continues to grow into an amazing and valued member of our community.
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Rider Highlight:
Amber & Calvin

“I enjoyed volunteering and helping with feeding, mucking out the stables, grooming, learning how to saddle my horse, etc. I have made many friends at the RDA and really enjoyed the social interaction with the other volunteers.”
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