From the Executive Officer
How quickly time passes when you’re having fun! It is hard to believe that it has been over a year since I started at Pegasus. The time has flown by but, what a year it’s been! Filled with plenty of activity, the past 12 months have seen tremendous growth and change. With this growth and change came a few challenges – mainly in the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) – but we are conquering these challenges bit by bit. Pegasus is now registered as a NDIS service provider, and the NDIS Organisational Readiness Toolkit has been of great assistance as we progressively move into the new funding regime and its requirements. Thanks to an NDIS Business Development Grant, Pegasus is developing new policies, and work on the Operational Plan is nearing completion. At the end of October, I attended the RDA Australia Volunteer Awards dinner and AGM at Morphettville Junction in South Australia. It was a great way to celebrate and honour the many volunteers who do such valuable work for Riding for the Disabled all around the country. While there, I also attended the RDA Australia Annual General Meeting, and work on their Constitution is under way, just as our work on Pegasus’ Constitution continues. Along with the challenges that the NDIS and Constitutional review has brought, we’ve had some incredible successes in the second half of this year:
o The inaugural Yowani Pegasus Golf Day on 4 September. Twenty-two teams participated in the day – fortified by a sausage sizzle kindly managed by the Lions Club of Canberra Belconnen members. The total amount raised was $17,663.64. A raffle prize of Penfold Heritage wine was very kindly donated back to Pegasus and immediately auctioned, raising an extra $750. o Servcorp and The Doma Group held the Great Minds Trivia Night in October with funds raised being donated to several local charities – of which Pegasus was one. A total of $5,400 was donated from the evening to us. o ‘Unbridled’ debuted in November and celebrated all things horsey. There were some fantastic equestrian displays and horse performances, and Jo Skimmin – our Program Manager and Coach – presented on the ‘Movement of the Horse’ in the Horse Quarter. o The ACT Early Intervention and Therapy Services Expo was held in September and provided a great opportunity for people with disabilities, their families and carers to find out more about the range of therapy and early intervention services that are available in the ACT, and how these can be accessed under the NDIS. Moving forward into 2015, the next steps for Pegasus is to look at ways to broaden the wonderful work we do here. These aims include extending opportunities for volunteer work for people with a disability; broadening our ‘unmounted’ program to post-school adults; enhancing our ‘early intervention’ program for three to six year-olds; initiating a school holiday program for siblings of riders with a disability; and growing our presence in the world of social media. Like a ‘horse with a carrot’, I will – with the help of our staff, volunteers and community – steadfastly work towards achieving these aims. As 2014 draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the support you have shown us this year, and to wish you and your families all the best for the holiday season and for a safe and happy New Year. Thank you, Jane Thompson, Executive Officer, Pegasus The Bid Williams Story
ABC TV filmed Bid Williams' story at Pegasus. Bid’s story is quite fascinating! You’ll value the opportunity to view the show and find out more about our Founder. Link through to: http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/act/?year=2014&month=04 It will send you to our April archive for all 730 ACT stories. |
Want to support a riding scholarship?The popular Pegasus scholarship program awarded 13 riding scholarships this year, thanks to the generosity of our wonderful donors and supporters.
Pegasus riding scholarships support people with a disability who aspire to develop their potential through horse-related activities and associated therapy – through either a Riding (mounted program) or Horsemanship (unmounted program). If you would like to support a riding scholarship and be the difference in a child's life, click here for more information. See the difference Pegasus makes to a child...Here at Pegasus Riding for the Disabled we provide horse and farm activities for people with a disability in the Canberra region. As soon as our riders come through our gates, they are met with sights and smells that transport them to another world. A place where they can wheel or walk easily, a place where they can feel safe and secure; a place that is a home away from home.
Pegasus is known for its positive energy, and riders and parents often comment on the joy and uplifting feeling that being at Pegasus always brings. The gentle and understanding environment means that riders are not limited by what would normally be considered their limitations; because at Pegasus there is no ‘disability’ there is only ‘ability.’ For riders, even seeing the Pegasus logo gets them excited, because they know that here they can do something that would normally be impossible – that at Pegasus they can fly. We are a not-for-profit charitable organisation, which relies on the generosity of people in the community to meet our aims in supporting those with a disability. This includes financial donations through many of our fundraising programs, as well as through volunteering activities, including class work, stables and at events. Pegasus depends on our 270 active volunteers who work in a variety of roles, but we always need more help! This unique service could not be possible without our commendable ponies giving service to others. Our hard-working herd is fully trained in assisting our riders to achieve their goals. Similarly, our coaching staff has national accreditation in instructing our riders with a disability. Together, our coaches and horses provide the team that allows our riders to reach their full potential. Please do not hesitate to contact us regarding donation and volunteering opportunities, or simply to come out and visit our sprawling 100 acre property and see the magic happen first hand! 
Opening the Doors! The Pegasus horse was flying high at our Open Day last Saturday; keeping the rain at bay and attracting the community to the Pegasus Farm. Families and their children, Pegasus volunteers, donors and sponsors were enjoying the day; taking in the Franklin B Paverty Bush Band, the Obstacle Race, the Horse Parade, the Riding Program demonstration, fabulous cakes, sizzling sausages, hot soup, biscuit decorating and so much more. One of our donors and volunteers, Susan, said, “Everyone I talked to commented on the positive energy and inviting warmth that Pegasus has. One person told me that he just lives up the road and never knew what a great organisation he had in his own backyard.” It was pleasing to hear such positive comments. People who hadn’t been to Pegasus before were pleasantly surprised by the Farm and the activities, and the warm welcome from our volunteers and staff. I was particularly pleased to see a number of people attending who had a disability. Thanks to the support of our sponsors, donors, volunteers, families, staff and the community we raised a net amount of $14,058 and most importantly, over 1200 people came to Pegasus and gained an understanding of who we are, what we do, and what we seek to achieve – developing abilities for people with a disability! |
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