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OUR PEOPLE

The Executive Officer, supported by staff, manages RDA business and implementation of the Strategic direction and policies as set out by the Board. The EO reports to the Board via the Chair.

Edwina Boase-Stratford

Coaching coordinator

Edwina Boase-Stratford is the National Coaching Coordinator for RDA, joining the team in March 2022 working 4 days a week.

Edwina is well known in the RDA Community, having spent 2 years as State Coaching Coordinator for RDA Victoria as well as numerous years as a Level 2 Coach and National Assessor.

At a National level, Edwina has also been a State representative of the National Program Delivery Committee and assisted RDA Australia with many national events.

Edwina holds a BA Applied Communications and recently completed a Masters of Ergonomics, Health and Safety.

Cheryl Kostich

Finance and Payroll Administrator

Cheryl Kostich is the Finance and Payroll Administrator for RDA Australia, appointed in June 2013. A keen horse rider, having competed, bred and trained horses for many years.

A qualified Horse Safety Australia instructor and with over 20 years of experience in office administration, Cheryl is in the office on a part time basis, 3 days a week.

Jasmine Ousman

Administration assistant

Jasmine Ousman has joined RDA Australia filling the role of Administration Assistant.

Jasmine works in the National Office 2 days a week.

Board Members

RDA is governed by a Board of Directors which includes elected and appointed members. The RDA Board, in consultation with our Members, sets the Strategic Direction and oversees the implementation of policies.

David Keane

RDAA Chair

State:
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Joined:
2020
David brings experience from the Insurance industry, currently managing his own business, providing advice and advocacy for clients experiencing claims difficulties. David is also the former Treasurer of RDA Alice Springs Centre committee.

Judy Doyle

RDAA Director

State:
NEW SOUTH WALES
Joined:
2018
Judy has been involved with RDA for over 25 years, setting up and running RDA Mildura Centre in Victoria and is a Level 2 Coach and National Assessor and EA Level 1 qualification. Judy holds a Certificate in Small Business Management.

Graham Fogarty

RDAA Company Secretary

State:
TASMANIA
Joined:
2019
Graham has a wide experience working in the Not-For-Profit sector and Local Council.

Mary Longden

RDAA Director

State:
VICTORIA
Joined:
2020
Mary is an RDAA Life Member, Level 2 Coach and National Assessor. Mary has travelled internationally coaching Para-Equestrian teams from a number of countries.

Yolanda Lui

RDAA treasurer

State:
VICTORIA

Joined:
2021

Yolanda is a  brings experience in uplifting control environment, providing value-added advice to improve business processes and uplifting risk culture.

Brenda Lechmere

RDAA Director

State:
QUEENSLAND
Joined:
2022

Brenda was involved in RDA in her younger years and has a passion both for horses and people with disabilities.  At a corporate level Brenda has significant executive management skills and abilities.

Patrons

RDAA Patron

Her Royal Highness
The Princess Royal GCVO

RH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne became the Patron of RDAA in 1984. She is the President of Save the Children Fund and a member of the International Olympic Committee. Horses and equine pursuits are her enduring passion. At 21, she won the individual European Three-Day Event at Burghley and was voted BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year in 1971. She competed with the British eventing team for five years, winning a silver medal in both individual and team disciplines in the 1975 European Three-Day Event Championships held in Germany. The following year she participated in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games as a member of the British team. Although she has given up competing, the Princess remains involved in the equestrian world. In 1986 she became President of the International Equestrian Federation. She is currently President of the UK Riding for the Disabled Association.

The late W.
Roycroft O.B.E

Bill Roycroft, gold medal Olympic equestrian, competed in his first Olympics in 1960. At the age of 45, he went to Rome as a member of the Australian equestrian team, and with one ride created an Olympic legend. Roycroft went on to compete in four more Olympics and was winning events well into his 60s. His sons and daughter-in-law have followed his lead and the Roycroft family has featured strongly in the international world of horse riding. Mr Roycroft was a legend in Australia and we were very grateful for his patronage – our paralympians received encouraging letters from him and his esteemable patronage made us proud to be counted among his many equestrian loves. He will be missed.

Tania
Kernaghan

Tania Kernaghan is Patron of the Riding for the Disabled Association of Australia. RDA Australia adopted Tania’s award winning song, “When I Ride”, as their national theme song and asked Tania to be their Vice Patron in 1999. Tania is a skilled horsewoman and is a favourite at “Celebrity Cutting” and other rodeo sports events. She holds her CAMS race car drivers license, was named 2003 Australia Day Ambassador, People’s Choice Award recipient for Female Vocalist in 2000 and 2006 and became the first female to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005. Recently, Tania also participated as a member of the Judges Panel for the 2012 National Volunteer Awards.