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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.

RDA Australia National Office

Coaching coordinator

 

Coaching Coordinator enquiries, please email coaching@rda.org.au or admin@rda.org.au

 

 

Cheryl Kostich

Finance and Payroll Administrator

Cheryl Kostich is the Finance and Payroll Administrator & also assists with Coaching Admin 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, Dip HR Management and with over 35 years of experience in office administration, Cheryl is in the office on a part time basis, 4 days a week, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Jasmine Ousman

Office Administration

Jasmine joined the RDA Australia team in March 2022, and is our Office Administrator. Jasmine manages the Office Administration and assists with Coaching Administration.

Jasmine brings a wealth of customer service knowledge to the National Office.

Jasmine works in the National Office 3 days a week, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

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.

Andrea Lucas

RDAA  Chair

State:
VICTORIA

Joined:
2022

Andrea was elected to join the Riding for the Disabled Association Australia Limited (RDAA) Board in November 2022 and is honored to have the opportunity to apply her professional skills and expertise to the betterment of the organization. Andrea holds an MBA, Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Company Directors Course Diploma, and the Governance Institute of Australia Certificates in Governance Practice and Governance for Not-for-Profits.  

In addition to her experience as a lawyer, Andrea has experience in senior commercial management and corporate governance, having held both executive and non-executive directorships. Andrea served for 6yrs on the Riding for the Disabled Association of Victoria Inc. Board, with 3yrs as President, before joining as Chair of RDAA. She has previously served as Vice President, Company Secretary, Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee and as part of a Remuneration Committee on various Boards and has a focus on best practice governance and corporate compliance.  

David Keane

RDAA vice 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.

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.

RDAA treasurer

State:

Joined

Currently Vacant

Shannon Durrant

RDAA Director

State:
NSW

Joined:
2023

Shannon holds an MBA, Master of Applied Finance and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

In addition to her experience as Chief Risk Officer for financial institutions which includes responsibility for corporate governance, risk management and compliance, Shannon is passionate about supporting her community by volunteering and is a former board member of Pony Club Australia and current board member of the Pro Bono Financial Advice Network. 

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.