Page 2778 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 16 August 2005
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They are soft.” As joy and tears transformed the girl’s face, Bid was hooked forever and riding for the disabled was born in Canberra.
The organisation was originally called Disabled Riders of the ACT, but was later changed to Riding for the Disabled. The name change was due to some people thinking that the organisation was attending to the needs of injured jockeys. The first AGM was held on 27 October 1975 and, from that point, many other individuals and organisations joined with those of the initial group. These included Mr Michael Hodgman, a group from the then NCDC and a local TAFE group. I have just learnt that it also included the ACT rally fraternity of the Brindabella Motor Sport Club. In addition, Bid Williams’s mother made a significant financial contribution.
More and more volunteers came forward and more and more ponies were loaned. Skilled coaches worked with the children and Pegasus grew and blossomed into the wonderful organisation it is today, an organisation that respects and nurtures all involved—children, volunteers, staff, coaches and, of course, the horses—and an organisation that, I am proud to say, is now substantially supported through funding by the Stanhope government.
In conclusion, I would again like to quote Bid Williams. When asked to comment on the 30th birthday celebrations, she said:
An organisation like Pegasus cannot possibly make it to its 30th birthday without support from individuals, community groups and the Government. It is impossible to name the many hundreds, probably thousands, of people who have helped build Pegasus to the point it is now at. Some who you might like to remember include the many coaches who have taught over the years, the management committee members who do all the thankless tasks behind the scene and work to keep the place operating, the volunteers who help in classes and with other tasks around the place, the many individuals, community groups, local businesses and government who have made donations of time, effort or money for the development of facilities and programs. And of course we will never forget the riders and horses who have made it such a worthwhile experience for anyone who has come to be involved with Pegasus.
Pegasus is an outstanding example of what can be achieved when a group of dedicated people come together with a common goal and I congratulate all those who have contributed their time and energies over the last 30 years. Happy birthday, Pegasus.
Ride for reconciliation
Aboriginal tent embassy
DR FOSKEY (Molonglo) (6.05): Yesterday, I was lucky enough to spend a short time with Father Peter Murnane and his companions who are riding on bicycles to Uluru. They are planning a journey of 40 days and 40 nights—I am sure there is nothing biblical about that—and their ride is termed by them as a ride for reconciliation.
We met at Parliament House yesterday—it was quite a cold morning, as you would remember—and they were seen off by Bob McMullan, Peter Garrett, Gary Humphries and the new Greens senator, Rachel Siewert. I was very pleased that a Greens senator was amongst that group, and I was certainly pleased to be there on my bike.
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