Club Macquarie

In April 2007, Club Macquarie donated $250 towards our fundraising efforts to install a roof ventilation system for our riding arena. A ventilation system will improve the environmental conditions faced by our riders and volunteers in the warmer months. Club Macquarie's donation was part of the Community Development Support Expenditure Scheme (Category 2) that uses monies raised from the Poker Machine Tax to help improve facilities and provide important infrastructure to the local community. We are now edging closer to our fundraising goal of $9,013 to install the system.

Coal & Allied

Mount Thorley Operations

Warkworth Mining

Coal & Allied, through Mount Thorley Operations/Warkworth Mining, donated a

framed Newcastle Knights Jersey in early April 2007. The jersey is signed by

Knights team members and will be used as part of a major fundraising raffle throughout the year to raise money for our Centre. We applaud the contribution of Coal & Allied who recognises the importance of our Centre's programs and activities in improving the quality of life of people with disabilities in our community. Coal & Allied regularly donates to organisations in the Hunter Region and continually supports programs and activities that benefit the community via the Coal and Allied Community Trust.

Australian Temporary Fencing

Ray Holland, from Australian Temporary Fencing, provided a solution to our fencing needs while our horse yards receive a much needed upgrade during 2007. We are currently waiting for large mounds of earth to settle before the area can be compacted. This will provide a stable and long wearing surface to secure our horses for easy access by our volunteers before each riding/driving session.

Australian Temporary Fencing have donated the use of their versatile fences from March during this construction period. Their user friendly construction and flexibility means that our volunteers are able to adapt them to a variety of needs.

Maitland City Council

Maitland City Council has kindly donated money as part of their Community Grants Program for 2006/2007. They have given our centre $1015.72 and RDA RT&LH is also required to provide $1015.72. Our project total of $2031.44 will be used to purchase two 38cm saddles to meet the increasing demand of smaller riders who participate in our riding programs. Our centre is determined to provide a safe environment for all of our riders and industry safety standards require us to replace helmets every five years from time of purchase, regardless of their condition or amount of use. This grant will allow us to replace 10 helmets that have reached their expiration date for safe use.

NSW Dept of Ageing, Disability and Home Care

The NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care has specifically recognised the invaluable contribution of our senior volunteers within our community. They have provided a grant of $400 to celebrate Seniors Week. All of our volunteers over 60 are invited to attend a free lunch on 15 March 2007 at Raymond Terrace Bowling Club at 12.30 pm. All volunteers under 60 are welcome but will need to purchase their own lunch. Drinks for everyone are on a "buy your own basis".

The Morpeth Medicine Ride is a major fundraising event for our Centre. The 2006 Ride began and finished at Riding for the Disabled Raymond Terrace & Lower Hunter Centre because of repairs to historical bridges along the traditional route at Hinton and Morpeth. Our Centre hosted campers from throughout the Hunter Valley and from far a field as Sydney the night before the ride. They camped in treacherous conditions facing thunder, lightening and fierce winds during the night, but awoke with anticipation of the fun day and camaraderie ahead. The day dawned with heavy rain and strong winds, and over 280 brave riders journeyed through the State Forests north of Raymond Terrace. The riders were rewarded with sunlight and warm weather mid-morning and were marshaled by RDA volunteers who acted as markers and stewards along the way. The riders were greeted by a late hearty barbeque lunch prepared by RDA members in appreciation of their efforts. The day raised $8,000 for our Centre and $12,000 for the John Hunter Children's Hospital.

RDA thanks everyone who organised the event and participated on the day.

The Alexander Park Dressage Club is a sister club to RDA Raymond Terrace.

Their continued support of our dressage program over many years has been an important component in our rider's successes and individual development. In April 2006 they donated $5000 towards the purchase of a new horse float, so that our riders can transport their RDA mounts and participate in competitions in our local area, and at State and National level.

In June 2006, the Raymond Terrace Bowling Club donated $1000. This donation was part of the Community Development Support Expenditure Scheme that uses monies raised from the Poker Machine Tax to help improve facilities and provide important infrastructure to the local community. The Raymond Terrace Bowling Club understood our need to install a roof ventilation system for our riding arena so that we can improve the environmental conditions faced by our riders and volunteers in the warmer months. We are now more enthusiastic than ever to raise the remaining amount needed as soon as possible, and are actively fundraising to achieve our goal of $9,013.

We approached the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation as part of their community funding program in 2005. We were grateful to receive $14,000 to help

us purchase three experienced horses to replace those that have been retired due to age. We are in the process of sourcing horses that are capable of transitioning our riders from horse to trot, and from trot to canter; a small and extremely quiet horse for our younger riders; and a specialist carriage driving pony.