RDA Announcement - Election of New FRDI President          

RDAA is delighted to announce the election of Pauline Perry as the new President of FRDI (Federation of Riding for the Disabled International) at the FRDI XIII International Congress in Munster 12-15 August, 2009.

Pauline is a valued member of RDA Australia and was awarded an honorary Life Membership of RDA in 2008. She will serve as FRDI President from 2009-2012. We wish her every success in her latest appointment. Read the full story here.

 
RDAA Expression of Interest to Host 2015 FRDI Congress           

Every three years FRDI (International Federation for Riding for the Disabled) holds an International Congress for Therapeutic Riding, which features the latest research and development results. The congress is a unique opportunity which brings the world together to spearhead and promote equine-assisted activities. It is also a unique opportunity to meet and network with people across the world and find out what’s happening in other countries.

At this year’s 2009 Congress, RDAA presented an Expression of Interest (EOI) for Australia to host the 2015 FRDI International Congress of Therapeutic Riding. .

 
$100,000 Grant from the Ian Potter Foundation           

RDA Australia is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a grant of 100,000 from the Ian Potter Foundation towards its National Coach Development Program. This grant will provide the maximum benefit to all RDA Australia’s members by helping to:

address the chronic shortage of trained, accredited RDA coaches
increase the number of clients able to participate in RDA programs
improve children’s outcomes through early intervention programs
reduce client waiting lists

 
RDA Centres affected by Floods!          

Two QLD RDA Centres were devastated by rising floodwaters when severe storms lashed SE Queensland and Northern NSW. Read the full story here.

 
Victorian Bushfire Disaster          

RDA Australia is appalled at the tragic loss of lives, property and animals that have occurred as a result of the bush fires in Victoria and offers its deepest condolences to those that have suffered losses.

To accommodate horses displaced by the fires, RDA Australia has made available the property, Dover Park, at Diggers Rest, Victoria for temporary agistments. For further information please contact:

RDAA National Office
T: 03 9731 7388
F: 03 9731 7379
E: admin@rda.org.au

Any persons wishing to contact RDA Centres in Victoria with offers of help are asked to contact the RDA Victoria State Office directly at:

RDA Victoria
T: +61 3 9486 5755
F: +61 3 9486 5766
E: admin@rdav.asn.au

 
$100,000 Myer Family Philanthropy boost to Riding for the Disabled Association Australia          

Riding for the Disabled Association Australia (RDAA) will receive $100,000 from Myer Family Philanthropy in an unprecedented philanthropic gesture to help alleviate poverty and disadvantage and strengthen the nonprofit sector in our community. The unsolicited grant will be awarded to 37 Australian non-profit organisations to celebrate 75 years of the Sidney Myer Fund and 50 years of The Myer Foundation. Celebrating Our Partners: Philanthropic investment for strong community organisations is a key project of Myer Family Philanthropy’s $36 million 2009 Commemorative Grants Program, which marks these significant milestones. The grant recognises the invaluable work of Riding for the Disabled Association and imposes few constraints on how the funds are to be used. 'This grant will strengthen the work and support that the national office provides to the organisation across Australia, helping the national peak body improve the quality and depth of assistance to states and territories.' - John Harte, Chairman RDAA Read more

 
The Mountain Cattlemen's Assocation of Victoria raises money for RDA with the help of a wild brumby!          

The Mountain Cattlemen’s Association of Victoria has selected RDA Australia as a recipient of their 35th Annual Mountain Cattlemen’s Get-Together in 2009. The Mountain Cattlemen’s Association VIC are capturing a wild Brumby and gentling it through its natural horsemanship course in time to auction the horse at their annual ‘09 Get together’ and ‘Mountain Bred Horse Sale’. 100% of the proceeds of the sale of the wild Brumby are being donated to RDA. Read more...

 
Aussie Rider Wins 2 Bronzes at Paralympics          

Georgia Bruce winning a bronze medal on ‘Victory Salute’ at the Paralympics last night

There were many great outcomes from the 2008 Paralympic Games. Georgia Bruce rode her way to 2 Bronze Medals for Australia in the Individual Championship Test and Freestyle to Music Competition in Hong Kong. Overall, the 2008 RDA Equestrian Paralympic Team achieved two Bronze medals, two 4th places and overall a team 6th place. Read more

 
Grace Meets PM          

Grace Bowman met Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in Parliament House in Canberra with some of the 170 athletes who went on to represent Australia in the 2008 Paralympic Games was asked to respond on behalf of all the athletes and thanked the Australian Government and the Australian public for their support of the team. Read more

 
RDA Australia receives Gift of $2.5m Property          

	RDA Australia is thrilled to announce the gift of a 271 acre property, valued at $2.5m; purchased for and on behalf of RDA Australia by a very generous benefactor Mr. Bill Gibbins. Read more

 
Schweppes get behind RDA Australia with a Racing Experience of a Lifetime          

Cadbury Schweppes Pty Ltd is supporting the work of RDA Australia by donating the proceeds generated from the auction of a share in the winnings of a Swettenham Stud, Lee Freedman trained racehorse for two years. Read more