2015–2016 The year in review: Invigorate! · The year in review: Invigorate! Annual Report...

The year in review: Invigorate!

Annual Report2015– 2016

COMMITMENT – RESPECT – QUALITY – CONNECTION

Riding for the Disabled ACT (Pegasus) exists to provide horse facilitated programs and activities aimed at developing abilities for people with a disability.

An iconic charitable organisation founded in 1973, Pegasus operates on 100 acres at Holt, on Canberra’s fringe, and proudly serves the ACT and local NSW region.

Our vision A progressive community striving for excellence in the delivery of horse-facilitated therapy for people with a disability.

Our mission To enrich lives of people with a disability through the delivery of horse-facilitated therapy.

Our core values • Commitment• Respect• Quality• Connection

Our goals – setting the scene to 2017

About Pegasus...

By 2018 Pegasus plans to have broadened programs and services to people with a disability. To do this Pegasus aims to be:

Relevant• Responsive to the needs of our participants

• Demonstrate and communicate programs and activities.

Accessible• Increasing capacity to deliver services to meet

demand.

Recognised• A model disability program and activity provider. • Provider under the relevant funding frameworks. • Highly visible within its regional community.

SecureA sustainable charity through a strong: • business framework • volunteer base • financial position.

Strategies to Achieve1. Grow and strengthen our funding base

2. Involve, grow and foster relationships with key stakeholders

3. Enhance, develop or implement organisational infrastructure, capacity or capability to deliver an expanded service offering

4. Provide good governance of operations, and compliance with relevant funding frameworks

5. Broaden, develop and implement a range of tailored and community-based programs and activities which are integrated, inclusive and relevant.

Pegasus Annual Report 2015-16 iii

Contents

President’s Message 1

Invigorate! A message from the Chief Executive Officer 3

RDA Executive Officer Message 6

Pegasus by the numbers 7

Realising potential – Program Report 8

Thank you, thank you, thank you! – Volunteer Coordinator Report 10

Herd about our horses? Horse and farm Report 12

Able not disabled - Heather’s story 14

A solid foundation of support 16

How Pegasus helped me – Janelle’s story 17

Major Donors and Sponsors over $500 18

Honorary Life Members 19

Financials 20

Our Board 21

Pegasus Annual Report 2015-161

President’s MessageIt is with great pleasure that, on behalf of the Board of Riding for the Disabled ACT (Pegasus), I present the 2015-2016 Annual Report. The financial year has very much been aligned to the theme of this year’s Annual Report in that it has been a year to invigorate, take stock, consolidate and plan for the future.

All the elements of the theme are essential if Pegasus is to maintain its standing in the community and continue to develop and deliver the services that enrich the lives of people with disabilities in the ACT and region.

There are two key factors which will impact on the future of Pegasus, the cessation of ACT Government funding and the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). ACT Government funding will reduce from $244,000 in 2015-2016 to $123,000 in 2016-2017 and will be abolished in 2017-2018. Early indications are that revenue from the NDIS will not replace the ACT Government funding and, in fact, will deliver only a small percentage of that funding.

It is therefore essential that our planning for the future is both innovative and effective and delivers the outcome of a stronger organisation with a bright future.

We should look upon this as a positive challenge for the board, management, staff, supporters, members and volunteers to work together to invigorate Pegasus.

With the generous financial support of Marcus Quinlivan OAM, we have established the Marcus Quinlivan Developing Abilities Endowment Fund which will assist in funding programs and operations in the immediate years ahead. It is hoped that with the contributions of others the fund will be an important element for the future success of Pegasus.

From a financial perspective Pegasus has had a positive year and outlined below is a precis of Pegasus activities for the 2015-2016 fiscal year.

Pegasus Annual Report 2015-16 2

Finance Pegasus recorded:• a strong operational profit of $140,505• investments and cash reserves of $1,216,545 • receipt of ACT Government funding totalling $244,000.

GovernanceGood governance is the foundation of any organisation and I am pleased to say that Pegasus has a stable and productive Board that has worked hard to develop sound policies and strategic direction for the good of Pegasus.

Some of the keys initiatives included:• The adoption of a new constitution at a Special General

Meeting of members that better reflects the direction of Pegasus in today’s society.

• In conjunction with staff and volunteers, the Board developed a new Strategic Plan that reflects our goals now and in the future. The Strategic Plan includes a new Vision Statement: “A progressive community striving for excellence in the delivery of horse-facilitated therapy for people with a disability.” and a new Mission Statement: “To enrich lives of people with a disability through the delivery of horse-facilitated therapy.” and the core values of Pegasus.

• Active involvement by the President and CEO in Riding for the Disabled Australia Association (RDAA).

• Commissioning of an Operational Audit by RSM Bird with the aid of a grant from the NDIS. The audit provided information on use of resources and assets. The Board will reconsider this report once a clearer picture of NDIS funding emerges.

Thank youThere are many people who contribute in many and varying ways to ensure the ongoing success of Pegasus and to the day to day operations of Pegasus. I would like to acknowledge and thank the following for their contribution to Pegasus:• Board members who retired in 2015/2016 including

Wendy Flint, David Robinson, Sue Robinson.• Former President Nadia Dean for her contribution as

outgoing President. Nadia and her family made the move interstate and on behalf of the Board, we wish her and her family all the very best. Nadia continues her support of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) as a Board Member of RDAA.

• The many donors, sponsors and business supporters of Pegasus for their generosity.

• Pegasus Members, riders and their families.• The many dedicated volunteers who put in countless

hours to support Pegasus.• Full and part time staff who have an obvious affinity with

Pegasus. • Members of the ACT community who support the many

fundraising activities promoted by Pegasus.• The current Board comprising of Gerry Christian

(Vice President), Tony Curtis (Treasurer), Sally Bishop (Secretary), David Kallir Preece, Scott Marriott and Michelle Scully.

• The Finance and Audit Advisory Committee: Margo Wade (Chair), Nick Langley and Scott Marriott.

• CEO Jane Thompson for her dedication and unwavering commitment to Pegasus.

Peter StubbsPresident


Invigorate! A message from the Chief Executive Officer

Our logo – the winged, divine horse ‘Pegasus’ – is one of the best known creatures in Greek mythology and now a prominent figure in modern popular culture. It has become an emblem of inspiration. This is why our logo is so fitting. Every day, as Chief Executive Officer, I see inspiration at work. Whether it’s a participant using their newly developed core strength to hold their posture on a horse; a volunteer motivated to take up Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) training to become a coach; or a staff member going above and beyond – every one of these acts help Pegasus take flight.

The “Invigorate” theme for this Report is a reflection of the twists and turns this year has held for us. It has been a year of consolidation, building on our successes and taking stock for what lies ahead.

We face a level of financial uncertainty due to the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and subsequent and significant loss of government funding. However, as one of the first RDA centres to tackle the changes it brings, we are working collaboratively with the National Disability Insurance Agency to ensure our programs are as accessible as ever to families of people living with a disability.

Our events diary was overflowing this year, with plenty of support from beneficiary events. In particular, the second annual Yowani Pegasus Charity Golf Day in September was a great success, raising an impressive $31,000 for Pegasus.

We also held our own events to promote Pegasus and to recognise and thank all those who contribute to making this organisation what it is today. In August, our horses and ponies celebrated the Horses’ Birthday in style. We were honoured to host Minister Shane Rattenbury and Pegasus co-founder, Bid Williams, at the event.

Pegasus’ 2016 Riding Scholarships Awards Night was held in February, and provided scholarship sponsors with the opportunity to meet and present awards to their scholarship recipients.

Our 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) scholarship. Financial support is provided for people who meet the selection criteria and are chosen as the successful recipient. This initiative is thanks to the generosity of our donors, who wish to help develop the abilities of people living with a disability.

It has been a year of consolidation, building on our successes and taking stock for what

lies ahead.


Congratulations to all who received awards and a huge thank you to those who sponsor them. Full year scholarships were awarded to:• Lions Club of Canberra (Woden) Scholarship in

Recognition of Riding Excellence – Eric Liehne• Opportunities Scholarship in Memory of Chris Hall –

Sebastian Claessens• Quinlivan and Donald Scholarship for Developing

Confidence – Max Meiliunas• Quinlivan and Donald Scholarship for Horse

Companionship – Emma Paton• Quinlivan and Donald Scholarship for Excellence in

Riding – Alexander Salinas• St Francis Xavier College Scholarship for Developing

Confidence – Tayla Opbroek• Riding Tall Scholarship in Recognition for Excellence in

Riding – SM• Capital Chemist Scholarship in Recognition for

Excellence in Riding – Queenie Palen• Taverners’ Bill Riding Development Scholarship –

Zeinab Daghagheleh.

Half-year (Terms 3 and 4) scholarship:• Servcorp Scholarship for Excellence in Riding –

Mitch McDermott.

Scholarships are a wonderful way to support our participants and help a child with a disability receive the physical and emotional therapy our commendable horses and ponies provide.

Our Open Day in May was a soaring success, raising more than $16,000 for Pegasus and it was fantastic to welcome more than 2,500 people through the gates.

The third annual Ride-for-Pegasus was also a great day out for riders, volunteers and coaches. The ride, supported by the ACT Endurance Riders Association, is an innovative fundraising opportunity for us and a fun day for riders of all ages and abilities. It offers a great opportunity for an inclusive community event.

All these events help raise awareness and funds for our horse-facilitated therapy programs and activities which ultimately help participants, like Emma.

When Emma first started at Pegasus, Janelle (her Coach) remembers her as a withdrawn little girl, without the strength or coordination to put on her boots and only communicating in sign language. Since those early days, Emma has made significant improvements.

Janelle says, “I get so excited about every tiny milestone. Emma rarely uses sign language anymore. She can now say quite a lot of words – our program encourages that. Emma uses a big strong voice to tell her horse to ‘walk on’ or ‘whoa’.

For me, as CEO, this is what it boils down to.

It is heart-warming to see the satisfaction on the faces of participants when they hit a milestone. It may be as simple as an instruction to their horse, but it is these small steps which enable them to achieve their goals.


There is an African proverb, “it takes a village to raise a child”. As a parent of children with disabilities, I know this to be very true. The same could be said for Pegasus and the transformations participants experience. And it really does take a village. Luckily for us, the Pegasus community is populated with incredible volunteers, some of whom have demonstrated phenomenal loyalty, volunteering for 20 or even 30 years!

The Pegasus community is also made up of our superb coaching staff, led by our sterling Head Coach, Jo Skimin, our steadfast Horse Manager, Maya Scott, super Stable Supervisor Chris Nicholls and our hard-working office and support staff.

As an RDA Centre of Excellence, our team are incredibly professional in their duties. It is not just that they are RDA qualified, but it is the way they go about their day that demonstrates it is much more than just a job. It is the patience they show a participant who may be struggling, it is the love for our horses and the unwavering support they show each other – stepping in to lend a hand or fill in when needed. It is not just their qualifications – it is that they give their all every day. That is the heart and soul of Pegasus.

Closer to my specific responsibilities, I am delighted to report that we have had fantastic success with grants totalling nearly $200,000 received this financial year. I extend our sincere thanks to all those organisations who have entrusted Pegasus with much needed funds.

In 2015-16, grant funding supported an unmounted ‘Horsing Around’ program for young adults, aged 18-25 years, with intellectual disabilities.

Grants have helped invigorate all aspects of Pegasus operations. From a new double horse float to a safety fence for the dam – every dollar helps us enrich the lives of people with disabilities in our local region.

Funding is critical to Pegasus, and with the transition to the NDIS, the need is acute.

Thankfully, among the Pegasus community are our generous and reliable donors, supporting us in ways that are significant to them through gifts of cash and in-kind donations.

I’m touched by their ongoing support, whether it is sponsorship to fund horses and maintain their upkeep; provided riding scholarships for deserving families; always ready to support our fundraising efforts by donating items for raffles and events; and through their participation at events.

Just as we take inventory for our Tack ‘n’ Treasure sales, this year has seen us take stock of our many assets – the farm, our horses, staff and volunteers – to help us make the best decisions for the future. We are exploring options, like social enterprises, to increase opportunities for those in our community who need it the most.

I am committed to Pegasus expanding its programs to make the best use of all our resources and am working with the Board to bring these plans to fruition.

I again extend my deep gratitude to Pegasus co-founder Bid Williams, and our benefactor, Marcus Quinlivan OAM. I greatly value their advice and counsel. Both Bid and Marcus’ unassuming nature and humble attitude belie the magnitude of their input. Both have a vision for Pegasus; developing abilities for people with a disability – Bid having provided the foundation to make Pegasus what it is today; and Marcus, providing the funds for Pegasus to start an endowment to ensure we are there for the future.

The Marcus Quinlivan Developing Abilities Fund, made possible by Marcus’ generosity, is the cornerstone of our fundraising strategy. The Fund, established in 2014, exclusively supports Pegasus and programs that develop confidence, self-esteem and improvement in the physical wellbeing and ability of persons with disabilities through horsemanship, riding skills and horse-facilitated therapy. It is the perfect vehicle for those wishing to support Pegasus’ future endeavours and who want to ensure their gift keeps giving in perpetuity. I encourage anyone who may be interested in this initiative and wants to make a gift that lasts, to contact me for further information.

This year we also welcomed Peter Stubbs to the role of President and I extend my thanks to outgoing President, Nadia Dean, for her great work.

So, to everyone in the Pegasus community, I say thank you. We have set upon a path for great things and are steadily working towards a sustainable future. We will continue to approach hurdles with vigour and enthusiasm and enjoy and celebrate our successes along the way, together.

Sincerely,

Jane ThompsonChief Executive OfficerRiding for the Disabled ACT (Pegasus)


RDA Executive Officer Message Riding for the Disabled ACT (Pegasus) forms an integral part of the national Riding for the Disabled community.In fact, it’s part of an international movement with our esteemed patron, HRH Princess Anne (pictured with me during her visit to Australia in 2014).

What a year it’s been for Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) this year on the international stage! We sent seven Australian representatives to the International Congress on Therapeutic Riding to learn and report back on the outcomes being achieved internationally. The Congress is hosted every three years by HETI (Horses in Education and Therapy International – formerly known as the Federation of Riding for Disabled International). RDA Australia is a member of HETI and attended along with delegates from 26 other countries delivering therapeutic riding.

Two RDA equestrians competed for Australia for the first time ever at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles and brought home the gold medal. A dream come true!

But all great things start with a first time – the first time you ride a horse at your RDA Centre; the first time you volunteer at your RDA Centre; the first time someone donates to RDA. From these first steps develops the passion, the dedication and the purpose to achieve something great.

The first time starts the journey that brings it all together!

The staff and volunteers of Pegasus have participated in many of those first times this year. New coaches have completed their training courses which are accredited through the Australian Sports Commission. New volunteers have completed their official RDA induction and program training. Pegasus Head Coach and Program Manager, Jo Skimin, joined a national program delivery working party to review and update the safety and service delivery standards for all RDA Centres. Pegasus then participated in the first trial of the new standards, meeting all to the highest level.

Chief Executive Officer, Jane Thompson, led discussions at a national level on the changes and impact on the organisation of the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and collaborated with other State RDA Associations on the development of a National Action Plan for NDIS. Pegasus now leads the way as the first live site for the NDIS and all the opportunities and challenges that this new government initiative poses for RDA centres across the country.

My sincere congratulations to Pegasus staff and volunteers on another great year and for the achievements of participants and the organisation. I look forward to seeing you all again next year when Pegasus hosts the National RDA State Delegates Meeting in May 2017.

Karen AsperyExecutive OfficerRDA Australia

7 Pegasus Annual Report 2015-16

Pegasus by the numbersOver

270 volunteers

86 donations over $500

Operational profit of$140,505

More than 2,600 sessions this year to 102 people with a disability

9 full year riding scholarships and 1 half-year scholarship were awarded as part of the Riding Scholarship Program

Volunteer retention rate is very high – over 40% have donated their service for more than four years.

14 commendable horses and ponies

Increased our Donor numbers from 1,380 to 1,726 – an increase of 20%

Increased our constituent-base from 2,943 to 3,458 – an increase of 17.5%

2015–16


Realising potential – Program ReportIt is through our horse-facilitated programs that we continue to enrich lives. Here at Pegasus it is not just participants realising their potential. Our staff and volunteers also continue to develop their skills and excel at what they do.During 2015-16 our programs have operated four days a week during term time, Tuesday to Friday and also during school holidays. We have run both group and individual sessions as well as after school and Saturday morning sessions.

Seven schools participated in our programs during term time this year. We welcomed participants from Weetangera Primary School Autism Unit, Farrer Primary School Autism Unit, Malkara, Cranleigh, Black Mountain, Woden and also Turner Primary School.

While the majority of our sessions are still mounted (riding) sessions, our unmounted Horsing Around program – where participants learn about horses, how to feed, care and interact with them – are rapidly gaining in popularity.

The majority of our participants are involved in group sessions but we also have a number of clients that work on a one-to-one basis with a coach and their volunteers. These clients may have high support needs or be more independent and need more of a challenge than they would get in a group session.

Pegasus also offers hippotherapy. Hippotherapy literally means treatment with the horse. The horse provides a dynamic platform for treatment where three dimensional movements simulate muscle development of the participant. The movement is symmetrical, repetitive and reciprocal. Bonding between horse and participant also provides a motivating environment.


Working in conjunction with Marianne Davidson, our Hippotherapist, we have continued to deliver our Hippotherapy sessions on Thursday afternoons. These are individual therapy sessions with participants working towards specific goals set by Marianne in conjunction with their family and any other therapy providers.

Over this last year Pegasus has delivered over 2,600 coaching sessions to our participants. This includes more than 2,000 riding sessions, 145 unmounted Horsing Around sessions and 70 Hippotherapy sessions.

While our participants have reached milestones and learned new skills, so too have our coaches and volunteers.

During the year we have had two new coaches, Yolanda Rohling and Janelle Patten, achieve their Riding for the Disabled Association of Australia (RDAA) coaching qualification. Both Yolanda and Janelle proved invaluable when one of our experienced coaches, Mary, went on maternity leave during the first half of 2016.

Lauren O’Neale is another of our volunteers who has successfully achieved her RDAA Orientation to Coaching qualification. Lauren has developed a great interest in working with a number of our high support needs participants.

Lauren’s interest and enthusiasm as an assistant has been especially valuable as it allows the coach to ensure equal attention is paid to each participant allowing them the freedom to work towards their goals.

We continued to have a number of our more experienced volunteers working on the competencies needed for both the RDAA Orientation to Coaching and the RDAA Level One coach qualifications.

Coaches, both current and those in training, have also continued to attend monthly coach training sessions to help further develop their education and skills. Our trainees have also had regular face-to-face mentoring with Pegasus coaches and are supervised by experienced coaches whenever they are working in a class.

In addition to the benefits our programs offer, riders were again able to join in the fun at the annual ACT Endurance Association’s ‘Ride for Pegasus’. This wonderful beneficiary event offers the opportunity for Pegasus participants to ride 2km of the 10km trail. In addition to eight of our riders attending, we also had one of our supported volunteers attend with us to help with horse preparation and care.

It is so rewarding to watch the delight as our participants experience as they enjoy the fresh air and atmosphere and put their riding skills on show. We wouldn’t be able to take participants if we didn’t have volunteers to assist, so I extend my personal thanks to all our wonderful volunteers. You know who you are!

Pegasus has had a very productive year with participants achieving great things. It is so satisfying to help them successfully reach their goals. Participants enjoy their time at Pegasus because it makes their therapy fun and the special relationship they develop with our horses is magical to witness.

Jo SkiminHead Coach


Thank you, thank you, thank you! – Volunteer Coordinator ReportWhat you do makes a difference.Pegasus volunteers wear many hats. From side-walker to farm hand, our volunteers are incredibly passionate and work tirelessly to help Pegasus deliver on its mission to see ability in people with disabilities.

Volunteers help participants feel secure, aware and brave – often with a kind word of encouragement, a listening ear and a reassuring smile. Week after week, volunteers make the world of difference to someone with a disability at Pegasus.

Our SuccessesThe Pegasus community radiates a wonderful, caring and supportive culture and continues to make a difference in the lives of people with a disability in our local area. As of 30 June 2016, we required 115 volunteers every week to help during term sessions, assist in the stables, groom our beautiful horses, help with mail-outs in the office and do odd jobs around the farm. During the four school holiday programs, we required on average, over 85 volunteers to help deliver these much loved sessions.

We are thrilled to have such loyal and compassionate volunteers at Pegasus. In 2015-16 a number of dedicated individuals achieved some incredible volunteering milestones with Pegasus:

41 – three years

29 – five years

2 – 10 years

Our good friend, Leslie Kalnajs, celebrated an amazing 30 years of volunteering with Pegasus.

It is only through this incredible commitment by all our volunteers that allows Pegasus to continue to deliver high-quality therapeutic horse-facilitated programs and services to the ACT and surrounding communities.

The 2015 Volunteer Planning Survey offered useful insights into how we can always improve.

Feedback led to the introduction of a fortnightly e-newsletter. ‘Snapshot’ provides volunteers with timely advice and information about activities, upcoming events and program updates. Importantly, it also allows us to frequently recognise and thank volunteers for their contribution.

Whether it be assisting in a class at the last minute, making homemade jam to sell to raise funds or helping with administrative tasks in the office.

Highlights included volunteer involvement in our community fundraising and promotional events throughout the year.We could not possibly attend all these events or achieve the level of exposure we do without an army of supportive volunteers. Thank you for being out and about, selling raffle tickets, seeking donations, telling others about Pegasus, taking photos and baking goods.

This year we gratefully received volunteer involvement for the Yowani Pegasus Charity Golf Day, the Murrumbateman Field Day, Combined Charities Christmas Card shops, Canberra City Rotary’s Autumn Antiques and Collectables Fair, ActewAGL Aussie Day BBQ, ISPT Charity Breakfast and the ACT Endurance Riders Association’s ‘Ride for Pegasus’.

We are fortunate that our volunteers are passionate about promoting Pegasus and raising our profile within the community. We are so grateful for their continued support.


Community inclusion and outreachEvery year Pegasus continues to nurture its relationships with the community. There are so many ways to be involved at Pegasus – there really is something for everyone!

We were delighted to receive assistance from a number of Canberra’s well known sports teams this year. Players from the Canberra Demons and Eastlake Football Club helped move precious but heavy antique items for the Autumn Antiques Fair, of which we were a beneficiary.

The year ended on a high note with 27 broad-shouldered young men from the Australian Defence Force Rugby Union Team spending a morning at the Pegasus farm and efficiently assisted with stable clean up, tack storage and farm yard tidy up.

We are lucky to have secondary and tertiary students interested in finding out more about our programs. This year we hosted students from various local and interstate universities and schools for community work and work experience.

We welcomed a variety of organisations supporting those living with a disability to the farm, such as Anglicare, and find rewarding tasks for these volunteers to undertake. All tasks completed, no matter how small, provide satisfaction for those who participate. These seemingly simple tasks, like cleaning horse tack or gardening, are essential and help keep the Pegasus farm immaculate.

Volunteer awards

It was with great pleasure that Pegasus staff nominated John Riley and Lauren O’Neale to represent Pegasus at the annual 2016 ACT Volunteer of the Year Awards.

At the Pegasus 2016 Volunteer Recognition Awards held in May, kindly sponsored by Eastlake Football club, the following were announced: • Volunteer of the Year Award – John Riley• Under 25 Volunteer of the Year Award – Lauren O’Neale• Overall Volunteer of the Year Award – Mike Crowe• Junior Volunteer – Lucy McGowan• Stable Hand Volunteer – Nicola Semmler

We warmly congratulate all our winners and thank them again for their contribution and continued support.

Pegasus volunteers are critical for us to continue to deliver horse-facilitated therapy for people with a disability. Our volunteers enrich Pegasus because they bring a diverse range of skills from different backgrounds. It is these individuals working together, always collaboratively, that makes Pegasus what it is today.

As Aristotle said...

Everyone has strengths, but when you put those strengths together, they produce something more than the individuals could alone. This is the difference our volunteers make and it’s so special. Thank you.

Nola MayburyVolunteer Coordinator

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts


Herd about our horses? Horse and farm ReportIt has been another exciting year for Pegasus’ horses and ponies which means it’s been busy on the farm!We have had the opportunity to participate in events both at home on the Pegasus farm and at other scenic spots around Canberra. We have had some new additions to the herd and developed a horse sourcing committee to address the ongoing need for new acquisitions.

In October, we had the pleasure of hosting Julie Nicholson, a National Assessor from Riding for the Disabled Association of Australia (RDAA). Julie was not only involved in the all-important RDA accreditation of our facilities, but also assessed several of our staff and volunteers in Hippotherapy Horse Handling. This was an invaluable experience for all those who participated, myself included! As an RDA horse selector, I found it interesting and was able to fine-tune some of our hippotherapy horse requirements.

In addition to the ongoing training and schooling of current and up and coming Pegasus horses, my major focus as Horse Manger this year has been to develop a strategy to find more suitable horses to grow our herd.

We have a need to increase our stable of horses from 14 to 25 in order to meet – and expand – our service delivery. Each additional horse we acquire has the capacity to take seven people with a disability off our waiting list. For example, an extra eight horses at Pegasus mean that 56 children could be enrolled in a horse-facilitated therapy program.

Developing this strategy included a special workshop with Sally Francis (National Coach Educator and assessor for RDAA and Pony Club Australia, Principal Trainer with Australian Equine Facilitated Learning and a past assistant national coach for the Australian Paralympic equestrian team) which included in-depth discussions about the ins and outs of sourcing the ideal RDA horse. Run as a special in-house session at Pegasus, the workshop was designed to give our coaches and trainee coaches an opportunity to access Sally’s extensive experience in horse selection. We were also able to quiz Sally with questions about our current herd and a couple of our trusty steeds kindly demonstrated conformation and movement. Sally also spoke about working with adaptive equipment from both a rider and horse perspective which gave us all some good ideas for future sessions.

Another way for us to promote Pegasus and our goals is to interact with community – both the general public and the wider equine community – so they have a chance to see our horses in action.

This often promotes discussion about our programs and the type of work our horses do at Pegasus. Our ponies are the best ambassadors – raising our profile as well as being a good example of the types of horses we need and the qualities we look for.

The annual Ride for Pegasus is one such event as well as being an important beneficiary event for us and this year’s was no exception. Hosted by the ACT Endurance Riders Association, the event attracted riders from all over the ACT and NSW. This year we were able to take a few more of our horses along and give 10 of our riders the opportunity to ride through parts of the spectacular cross-country course at Equestrian Park. All horses and volunteers were fabulous which meant participants enjoyed a really special day.


Our horses were part of several other successful events including the Obstacle-A-Thon, our Open Day in May and the Horses’ Birthday in August. Our second Tack ‘n’ Treasure sale in June raised $2,350 and is set to become a regular event on our fundraising calendar. These funds go towards purchasing specialised tack and related aids for our program participants. I wish to thank all those that chipped in for all of those extra jobs that helped make these events possible and such a success.

This year we have been lucky enough to acquire a fabulous double horse float made possible by a grant from The Snow Foundation. This horse float has been modified to accommodate the variety of horses that we have on the farm and enables us to transport horses to and from venues as well as assisting in the all-important trial and acquisition process. A big thanks to The Snow Foundation for the horse float – we love it!

It would be amiss of me not to make special mention of our wonderful herd:

I am so pleased with how well some of our newer members of the herd have taken to their new careers here at Pegasus. We continue to be proud of each and every one as every herd member plays an important role. This year we welcomed Bluey, who has been an absolute star. Bluey has been adopted by Marcus Quinlivan OAM in honour of Elizabeth Bertha Donald. Bluey is a bright spark who is always alert to what’s going on around Pegasus. He is a very sweet little guy and very obedient. Bluey is aptly named because he has a gorgeous blue tinge to his eyes!

We bid farewell to the delightful Gideon but we are happy to know he is enjoying his well-deserved retirement. We say a big thanks to his wonderful owner Lynley for allowing us the time we had with Gideon.

The general running of the horses and the property keeps Stable Supervisor, Chris Nicholls, and me on our toes. Our farm hand, Brian Thompson, works tirelessly to ensure the property is kept in tip top shape. Not a simple task for the ongoing maintenance of a 100 acre horse property!

Whether it is fence repairs, weed removal, clearing dead wood or fixing water troughs, Brian never mucks around and gets the job done pronto. Trust me when I say that this is a job that never ends!

As always, a big thank you goes out to all the professionals and suppliers who support our horses. We couldn’t be the organisation we are today without them. • Barry Flynne – Horse transport• Brindabella Stock Feeds• Bungendore Veterinary Surgery• Canberra Equine Clinic• Elka Fisher• Kippax Veterinary Hospital (for Charlie the farm cat)• Michael Hedges• Roy Amos• Sonza Vet Clinic• Tom Smith (farrier)• Ultimate Horse Transport

Maya ScottHorse Manager


Able not disabled - Heather’s storyHeather has cerebral palsy and started at Pegasus when she was just five years old.When she arrived for her very first session at Pegasus, her legs were so tight she was unable to stretch them wide enough to sit on a horse. Knowing that it meant she could ride, Heather went home and practiced the leg stretches the Pegasus’ coaches had given her.

The second week she attended, Heather was able to sit on the horse. Heather said she found riding, “invigorating, uplifting and joyful. The volunteers helped me feel completely safe and secure, which allowed me to relax and enjoy the experience.”

By the end of her eight years at Pegasus there were times when Heather was able to ride independently. Heather had a session with a hippotherapist – physiotherapy involving activities on horseback.

“On a horse, I wasn’t thinking about the pain in my legs. I was thinking about how much fun I was having and I was enjoying the moment. As a result I was able to stretch my muscles for longer – because I wasn’t distracted by the pain. I was also able to stretch my muscles further. The warmth of the horse played a key role in this respect – warm muscles are always able to stretch further and sitting on a warm horse provides constant heat directly into my leg muscles,” Heather explains.


“I also had to use my back muscles to hold myself upright on the horse. As a result, I strengthened my back muscles and am now able to sit, stand and walk with a fairly straight back.

“My experiences at Pegasus gave me a self-assuredness that has served me extremely well later in life and given me the confidence to take on challenges.”

“Riding made me feel able rather than disabled,” says Heather.

“Riding at Pegasus had a profound impact on my life.”

Heather Cork, Past Pegasus participant.

Not only does it make moving

around easier but it also makes me feel

more confident.


A solid foundation of supportAs Canberra’s leading medical charity, the John James Foundation is committed to supporting local organisations with a healthcare focus and is proud to be a Pegasus supporter.The Pegasus outdoor arena upgrade project first came to the Foundation’s attention in 2015 when we donated $10,000 to remove the sand based surface which was no longer suitable for the increasing numbers of riders and horses using it.

The John James Foundation has five programs to assist people in Canberra and beyond. They range from the provision of volunteer medical specialists in Australia and to our Pacific neighbours in the Solomon Islands to support for medical education at the Australian National University. Many people in Canberra will know about John James Village, the Foundation’s home-away-from home for people with blood cancer, which opened at Garran in August 2016.

The Community Health Program donates funds to support mainly local grassroots organisations. Donations exceeded $150,000 in 2016.

When it became clear earlier this year that the Pegasus project needed further funding to ensure the upgrade could be completed, the Foundation donated a further $14,250. The two years of contributions will now allow the arena’s surface to be replaced with one of several ‘toppings’ that will be trialed before a final selection is made. After the surface is levelled using a laser procedure, the donations

will also allow a new sprinkler system to be installed so the large area can be maintained in peak condition.

Once completed, the Foundation looks forward to seeing how the revitalised arena will be used for the many additional activities we understand are being planned over the next few years. These include after school therapy courses for young people with a disability and others related to caring for horses and hospitality.

The Foundation also donated $10,000 in 2014 to expand Pegasus’ programs and $12,500 in 2013 for general program support.

The John James Foundation is an independent broad based charity formed in 2006. The Community Heath Program provides annual funding for worthwhile healthcare projects to support people in need, with a focus on those that can become self-sustaining rather than relying on ongoing support. More information about the John James Foundation is available at www.jjf.org.au

Professor Paul Smith

Chairman

John James Foundation


How Pegasus helped me – Janelle’s storyAccording to her mum, Janelle Patten was horse-crazy from birth, so it’s not surprising Janelle was destined to find a rewarding role as a qualified coach at Pegasus. “I grew up on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and my earliest memories are of watching the horses walk up our street to the local showground,” says Janelle.

“Finally, after years of pestering my parents, for my thirteenth birthday I joined a riding school’s holiday program. By the end of that week I had a job as a casual stable hand, which grew and grew until I was sixteen. I then moved to work and live on an Andalusian stud for a year.

“It was an amazing experience and I learnt a lot – and it reinforced my love of horses. It also inspired me to study Veterinary Nursing and I enjoyed a wonderful 23-year career in the sector,” says Janelle.

Fast forward to almost four years ago when Janelle moved to Canberra and put her name down to volunteer at Pegasus. Janelle recalls this as a difficult time.

“I was very lonely, miserable and emotionally struggling to cope. Not only did I want to be back with the horses, I also wanted to do something worthwhile for the community,” says Janelle.

“From the minute I walked into Pegasus I knew I had finally found what I was looking for and I haven’t looked back. I started as a leader on Saturdays, initially thinking that working with the horses was the best spot for me.

“I very quickly realised I wanted to do more so I started helping Mary (one of Pegasus’ Senior Coaches) in the stables. I loved it. I truly relished the fact that I could contribute to the health and welfare of the horses and to people with disabilities. That was it, and I was hooked. Finally, I could see that I was doing something that actually mattered and started to enjoy living in Canberra and making new friends at Pegasus,” says Janelle.

Because she was enjoying working with participants as much as the horses, Janelle started her Riding for the Disabled Association of Australia (RDAA) Orientation to Coaching Training.

RDAA Coaches are qualified under the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme, certified by the Australian Sports Commission.

“I started training with the wonderful Mary Lyons as my teacher, mentor and assessor initially, and then with Jo

Skimin (Pegasus’ Head Coach) to complete my RDAA Level 1 Coaching accreditation. It is something I am extremely proud of,” says Janelle.

“I thank Mary and Jo for their inspiring teaching, and admire their huge wealth of knowledge and passion for Pegasus. I never stop learning from either of them.

“I have developed some very close friendships with Pegasus staff, volunteers, riders and their families. Being a part of that community is empowering. I am now involved with Pegasus in many different ways – in fact, some may say I’m part of the furniture!” says Janelle.

When asked about her favourite part of coaching, Janelle explains it’s the little things that make working at Pegasus special.

“I coach at Pegasus on Saturdays and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I absolutely love coaching and feel privileged to celebrate each little milestone with participants and to be a part of their lives in a small but significant way. There is nothing I enjoy more than seeing their big smiles and the cheeky grins, listening to their loud giggles and sharing many ‘high-fives’ with them week after week.

“All that Pegasus is and stands for is so important to me, I absolutely believe that horses ‘Develops Abilities’. I have to pinch myself at times at how lucky I am to be involved with such amazing people and horses,” says Janelle.


Major Donors and Sponsors over $500Individual donors: • Mark Everson• Ken Baker• Kay Beatton• John Bellchambers• Sarah Brasch• Wendy Chesworth• Bernard Clark• Robyn Coghlan• Romy Collier• Helen Corliss• Philippa Curran• Francesca Day• Jeremiah Deakin• Alfonso del Rio• Jane Donnelly• Kevin and Pam Durick• Leonard Early• Raymond Edmondson• Trish Edwards• Everyl Ellis• Catherine Evans• David and Joanne Gibbons• Mark Hartmann• Kevin Heindl• Margaret Henley• Sue Howieson• Michael Hutchinson• Susan Jones• Mary Jovanovic• Leslie Kalnajs• Phillip Livingstone• Joseph Marks• Pamela McDougall• Vanessa Millard• Ben and Beth Nelm• Hilary Nicholson• Jane Olesen• Marcus Quinlivan OAM• John Riley and Sally Druhan• Ralph and Barbara Scott• Ray Silburn• Margery Smith• Rachel Stephen-Smith• Kate Stockhausen• Greg Taylor• Dorothy Topfer

• Freddy von Reibnitz• Victoria Withers• Students from St Francis Xavier

College

Businesses and organisations:• ActewAGL• Belconnen Bowling Club Inc.• Beyond Bank• Canberra Bowling Club• Canberra Rotaract Club• Canberra Southern Cross Club• Capital First National Real Estate• Gungahlin Children’s Centre• ISPT• King & Wood Mallesons• Rotary Club of Canberra City• Royal National Capital Agricultural

Society• The Rotary Club of Bungendore Inc• Thoroughbred Park• Write It Off• In-Kind:• Bungendore Veterinary Surgery• Canberra Motorcycle Centre• Capital Chemist• Capricorn Park Stud• Graham Tidy• Eastlake Football Club• Just Clowning Around• Rock Development Group Pty Ltd• Tall Foundation• Yowani Country Club Ltd

Sponsorship:• Anthony Curtis & Co• Amalgamated Property Group• Canberra Motorcycle Centre• Capital Chemist• Capital Estate Developments• Clayton Utz • Clemmer Pty Ltd• Couch Designs• Colliers International• DAMsmart• Denman Prospect Development• DOMA GROUP• Emplace

• Independent Property Group• John McGrath Auto Group• Kappelle Pty Ltd• Marsh Pty Ltd• MYs Restaurant• Real Sign Solutions• Riverview Group• RSM Australia Pty Ltd• ProMortgage• Quest Training Solutions• Rutherford Johnston Properties• Shaw Living• Solution Constructions• St George• The Lord’s Taverners ACT• Weston Cruise & Travel

Grants received: • Active Canberra (ACT Sport and

Recreation)• Canberra Southern Cross Club• Citizens Own Renewable Energy

Network Australia• Department of Social Services• John James Foundation• National Disability Insurance

Agency• Realestate.com.au ‘Community

Grants Program’• Snow Foundation

The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation (Eldon and Anne Foote Trust)

A special thanks to Cameron Tidy for his donation of graphic design services for this Annual Report and other promotional materials.

Thanks also to our volunteer photographers for the beautiful images they capture each year: Margo Wade, Mike Crowe, Elizabeth Borowik, Elisabeth Titulaer and Viki Withers.

We also wish to thank:

Bernie Clark, Paul Powderly, Bernard Powderly, Shane Connelly and Roz Edmonds.


Honorary Life Members• Fran Belairs• Lesley Christiansen• Barbara Donald• Barbara Hinds• Sue Leitch• Sheila King• Pamela McDougall• Jan McGuinness

• Marcus Quinlivan OAM• Peter Scardoni• Geoff Schmidt• Jo Skimin• Helen Southwell• Dave Waite • Bid Williams


Financials


Our BoardPeter Stubbs – PresidentPeter has been the CEO of the Canberra Racing Club since 2006; an Executive Director of the Australian Racing Board from 2006 to 2015; and on the Board of Pegasus since November 2014. He has a Masters of Management from the Australian National University (ANU), complementing a career in management.

Peter hopes to be able to use his racing industry contacts and his own experiences to assist the Pegasus Board and management to develop a strong financial and operational platform, and build a prosperous future for Pegasus and the many people within the community whom Pegasus supports.

Gerry Christian AM – Vice PresidentGerry joined thyssenkrupp Marine Systems Australia (TKMSA) in early 2016 as the Head of Strategy. Born in Auckland NZ, Gerry moved to Australia in 1975 and served 33 years in the Royal Australian Navy. Prior to joining TKMSA, Gerry worked as an International Business Development Director for the Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training business. He has extensive experience in strategy, business development and customer relations in both the Australian and New Zealand Defence sectors. Since joining the corporate sector in 2009 Gerry has continued to leverage his naval service leadership skills and operational experience.

Gerry is a graduate of the Naval Command College at the United States Naval War College, Rhode Island, where he simultaneously completed MBA studies at Salve Regina University in 1999. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts (International Relations) degree from Deakin University. On Australia Day 2005 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for “his exceptional service in supporting operational capability”.

Tony Curtis – TreasurerTony has been the principal of Anthony Curtis and Co. – a chartered accounting practice – for 22 years. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia; has been on the board of Sharing Places Inc. for the last eight years; and is also an inaugural board member with Oncology Massage Ltd.

His impetus for joining the Pegasus board two years ago, was to help Pegasus predominantly in its finance and administration areas. Tony has undertaken the Volunteer Induction training and is welcoming the opportunity to extend his experiences at Pegasus beyond the financial and administration aspects of the organisation.

Sally Bishop – SecretarySally is currently an Assistant Director with the Department of Health, working in the area of mental health. She has worked in the allied health area for over 20 years, previously in the regional and metropolitan rehabilitation services settings. Sally has also been a member of Rotary for a number of years, and has a strong interest in supporting the work undertaken in the community sector.

Sally joined Pegasus 12 months ago, as she was keen to support an organisation that provides such valuable services and programs to help individuals grow and reach their potential.


David Kallir PreeceApart from more than 23 years of lived experience with a family member with a significant disability, David brings a range of qualifications, skills and passion to the Pegasus Board. Together with a Diploma of Applied Science (Environmental Health) and a Graduate Diploma in Public Administration, David has almost 30 years of policy and administration experience within the ACT Public Service, with a deep understanding of the internal workings of ACT government administration and Federal/State interactions. He has a great understanding of, and commitment to, the governance and operation of not-for-profit organisations, and is serious about ensuring people living with disability have opportunities to live full and meaningful lives.

David RobinsonDavid joined Pegasus as a volunteer in 2008 and since then, has undertaken a variety of roles. Before his retirement, David was a former business owner and also worked as the Occupational Health and Safety officer in a large Government department. He has a daughter with an intellectual disability and has been active on various committees working to implement strategies relating to disability services for the past 36 years. David’s main focus is to assist Pegasus achieve its mission of ‘enriching the lives of children living with a disability’, thereby creating a more caring and inclusive community.

Along with his volunteering efforts, David also joined the Pegasus Board, with his wife Sue, to help strengthen the links between the management and the volunteer activities of the organisation.

Sue RobinsonLike her husband David, Sue joined Pegasus as a volunteer in 2008. Sue is a retired teacher and former Board member of Workplaces (now LEAD) – an organisation which places clients with a disability in work. Sue has an equestrian background and is a former horse owner and competitor. She enjoys being part of the Pegasus team, working closely together with Coaches, horses, and other volunteers to ensure that each rider and program participant has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

*Sue and David Robinson received a Highly Commended Award in the ACT Volunteer Team of the Year division of the 2015 ACT Volunteer of the Year Awards.

Scott Marriott Scott has twenty-plus years’ experience in education and training, from the school classroom through to designing, implementing and evaluating national programs. Scott has influenced Federal government priorities including financial literacy through the MoneySmart Teaching program and vocational education and training in various policy, program and secretariat roles.

Scott is currently working at the Australian Government Department of Education and Training on skills reform. He brings expertise in strategic policy design, stakeholder engagement, procurement and people management.

Scott holds a Master of Business Administration with specialisations in leadership and finance, a Bachelor of Education (Health and Physical Education) and an Advanced Diploma of Human Resource Management.


Our BoardMichelle ScullyMichelle is a strategic communication and stakeholder engagement specialist with over 25 years senior executive experience in public affairs, reputation and issues management, change management and corporate communications in the private, government and not-for-profit sectors. She has particular experience in defence, intelligence and national security as well as foreign affairs, international development, agriculture and human services. She is adept at providing advice to Executives on communication programs and strategies to promote and achieve organisational outcomes; maintain and strengthen reputation; and to facilitate effective and lasting change.

Michelle believes the key to success in the strategic communication field is to build collaborative and effective relationships to help organisations identify their communication intent and objectives so as to better understand challenges and more readily develop business solutions.

Michelle has a BA in Journalism, qualifications in graphic design and PRINCE 2 Project Management certification.


Notes

Contact Us119 Drake Brockman Drive, Holt ACT 2615P: 02 6254 9190E: [email protected]: pegasusact.com.au

How to donateVisit www.pegasusact.com.au and click on the ‘Make a Donation’ button.Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT): ‘Pegasus’ BSB: 032 712 Account: 112218Cheque: ‘Pegasus’ 119 Drake Brockman Drive, Holt ACT 2615Credit card: 02 6254 9190

Make a bequestA bequest to Pegasus is one of the best ways to leave a lasting legacy that has the power to transform lives well beyond your lifetime. Bequests may consist of:

• a percentage of your estate• a nominated dollar amount• proceeds from a life insurance policy• shares or bonds• property or real estate.

You may choose to leave your gift for general use or you may prefer to discuss your gift intention with Pegasus, by contacting the Chief Executive Officer, Jane Thompson on 02 6278 6243.

Like good news?Connect with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PegasusRDASign up for our quarterly newsletter ‘HoofPrint’ by emailing: [email protected]

We need you to...Be a champion for Pegasus by spreading the word about us to friends, family and co-workers. Host a fundraising event for Pegasus at work, invite your friends to our annual events, donate or volunteer.

The opportunities are many and the rewards are great.

Pegasus makes a difference to so many lives.

You can make a difference to Pegasus.

2015–2016 The year in review: Invigorate! · The year in review: Invigorate! Annual Report...

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