On Thursday we presented our big Flinders Rural and Remote Health SA cheque to two of eight successful community groups from across our SA footprint who applied for funding for their community projects in the 2023 round.
The Murray Bridge Rotary Club have thirty-eight members who support a diverse range of community projects, including youth programs and in particular youth at risk. Their funds assisted with an environmental youth program, providing an opportunity for fourteen Murraylands year six students to participate in a camp at Calperum Station that they otherwise would not have the opportunity to attend. With input from schools the students were selected from nine primary schools in the Murray Bridge area including Coomandook, Callington, Jervois and Mannum focussing on disadvantaged students.
During the program, students were introduced to team building, environmental caretaking, and in the process, gained confidence. These skills will assist them to make better choices about their future and transition to high school in 2025. They experienced first-hand the role the environment has in the well-being of the community and engaged with fellow students from diverse backgrounds from across the Murraylands region.
Following the camp, participants prepared a short presentation for the Rotary Club and their families and received a certificate of participation. Following the success of the program, the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge are already planning the next camp and how to track the programs impact.
Riding for the Disabled (RDA) at Oakbank used their funds to purchase two saddles that were specifically fitted for use with two horses. The saddles are suited to smaller riders and ponies and have adjustable padding which can be moulded to suit the pony or horse wearing it.
Beau and Lucy now have their saddles fitted and are used at RDA Oakbank centre to provide approximately six sessions per week to riders with disabilities varying from autism to physical and intellectual limitations. It was a privilege to meet the passionate volunteers at the centre and see the joy on the young riders faces during their sessions.
Horse riding provides a multitude of benefits for the rider, including developing greater verbal and non-verbal communication skills, emotional regulation, sensory stimulation, increased flexibility, improvements to core strength, balance, fine and gross motor skills, muscle tone and social outcomes.
Too often children with disabilities are unable to participate in mainstream sporting activities due to limited physical capabilities and emotional support, but with RDA and the support of their wonderful volunteers these children and adults are given the opportunity to ride and connect with gentle, well-trained animals.
The saddles will have a life span of up to 10 years and will provide benefit to a large group of young riders coming through the RDA program both now and in the future.