NEW ARENA FOR RDA… The Forbes Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) is very excited about its plans to build a new arena at Forbes Livestock Exchange. At the ground breaking ceremony were (L-R) Lisa Loane, Steve Loane
(FSC General Manager), Helen Dumbrell (RDA committee), Mayor Phyllis Miller, Deb Roylance (RDA committee), Laurie Norris (Forbes Citizen of the Year and RDA committee), Chelsie Farmer, John Zannes (RDA secretary and vice presi-dent) and Deputy Mayor Chris Roylance (President RDA).
The Forbes Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) has some great news as it comes out of its recess with plans for a brand-new arena.
The Forbes Shire Council has provided land for the new RDA centre at the Forbes Livestock Exchange, and earthworks will start this week to clear and level the land, and prepare the base for the arena. The arena will be fenced and there will be a paddock for the horses.
“We are very fortunate to have Tommy Boyle as project officer,” said Deb Roylance of Forbes RDA. “If all goes to plan, we hope to start up the centre during Term 2 or beginning of Term 3.”
Deb said with more than 30 children from schools in and around Forbes already interested in the RDA’s services, they required a volunteer co-ordinator, horse manager and volunteers. Volunteers will help out with activities like care of horses, leading horses or assisting riders in the program, helping with activities for unmounted riders, training horses and ponies, assisting the coach and more.
She said riding helped to develop so many abilities in children with disabilities, such as improving balance and posture, promoting decision making and thinking ahead, encouraging reading and speech, and developing eye-hand co-ordination.
If anyone can volunteer their services with the new centre or on RDA days, on Wednesday afternoons, email forbes@ rdansw.org.au or ring 0438 514 472. Everyone is also invited to the AGM on Monday, 28th March at the Forbes Council Chambers at 7:30 pm. All committee positions are vacant.