2010 Pearl Batchelor Volunteer of the Year, Hazel Aylett with the newly elected Chairperson of RDA NSW, Jaci Armstrong, with Crystal.

Hazel Aylett of Coonabarabran Centre was  announced at the conference held in ORANGE as the state’s top volunteer. Hazel has been volunteering with the RDA for 25 years.

Mrs Aylett, of Coonabarabran, was chosen by an independent judging system involving other community organisations.

She mounted her first horse at the age of five and has maintained a strong bond with horses ever since.

“I used to open the gates to let my dad’s teams of horses in. We lived in the Pilliga scrub on a share farm,” she said.

She said although Riding for the Disabled takes up most of her time it is a labour of love.

“I am lucky because I’m retired and I can put the time into it,” she said.

The full list of Nominees and Winners were:

Joan Edwards with her Seniors Week Achievement Award

Joan Edwards – winner of a Seniors Week Achievement Award for service to Riding for the Disabled Tall Timbers Centre

On Sunday 21st March, at an award Ceremony to celebrate the commencement of NSW Seniors Week, Joan Edwards was one of the sixty award winners from across the State to be presented with an Achievement Award.  Her award was in the category of Community Service/Volunteering. The NSW Seniors Week Achievement Awards are a prestigious recognition of NSW seniors for their contribution to the development of our community, for their leadership and for their initiative. The awards provide an opportunity to formally thank older people for the contributions that they make to the quality of life in our state.

Joan Edwards has been a dedicated and reliable volunteer at Riding for the Disabled, “Tall Timbers” Centre for 33 years.   Joan volunteers each Monday at the Centre at Box Hill and assists when other coaches are unable to attend. Over the years she has taken on the extra responsibility and study to become a Senior Coach and RDA NSW Assessor with many years as the Regional Representative for the Metropolitan Region and has been a member of the
Tall Timbers Committee.

Joan has devoted countless hours to fundraising.  The Centre can always count on Joan to be there and to do things for us when necessary.  She is reliable, knowledgeable and a great friend and inspiration to all. 

 Ita Buttrose and Graham Ross who are Seniors Week Ambassadors presented her award to her.  Family and friends attended the ceremony, which was held at the Sydney Recital Hall.

 Congratulations Joan and thank you from everyone at Tall Timbers and RDA NSW

 

Media Release from NSW Sports Federation.

Trish Taylor winning Pearl Batchelor Volunteer of The Year Award

 A big congratulations to Trish Taylor from Cootamundra Centre for winning the volunteer Award for the 2008 NSW Sports Federation Annual Sports Awards!

 At left is a newspaper article of Trish Taylor for winning the Pearl Batchelor Award,

To the right, the media release from NSW Sports Federation, whilst below is the newspaper front page of Trish’s fantastic win! Click on these thumbnail pictures to see the full articles.

Trish won the Pearl Batchelor Award for RDA NSW. This award was personally judged by NSW Sports Federation’s Debbie Kemp – CEO. Trish Taylor was then entered into the Volunteer Award Category for the 2008 NSW Sports Federation Annual Sports Awards & was nominated by Sports Federation for this award along with 3 other entrants:

Richie Lytham – Surf Life Saving NSW,  Jim Orrell -Yachting NSW,  Swimming NSW – Technical Services Committee, and the Winner is…….. Trish Taylor from RDA(NSW).

 

This is great recognition and publicity for Trish, Cootamundra Centre & RDA(NSW).
Our Annual Awards (Pearl Batchelor, Volunteer encouragement, Rider of the year, Young Volunteer of the year, Shush Memorial) closed on Thursday 12 March, it is great to recognise achievement by submitting nominations for our many wonderful volunteers & riders. Winners of our Awards are automatically entered for awards such as the NSW Sports Federation Annual Sports Awards and others.