Celebrating our Change Makers in Equestrian - Part 2

As National Volunteer Week continues, we wish to acknowledge and celebrate all our amazing volunteers that help make this sport possible.

We called from nominations from the community to reconise some of the incredible people in our sport and the positive change they have provided for Equestrian.

Here are some more of these peer-nominated Volunteer.

David Permazel, VIC

"Since his return to Victoria from WA David has revolutionised our policies around Risk Management, Serious Incident Plans and he has been pro active doing our cross country control at the majority of Victorian Events. He has done his job so well that he often does control at interstate comps including Wallaby Hill, Tamborine 3 Day, Wallaby Hill, Alcoa in WA and Adelaide. He has been asked to do the Asian Games in 2023. David has been a committee member of the Victorian Eventing Committee and recently took over as Chair. He juggles his volunteer roles with a full time job heading a contracting company in the building industry."

- Nominated by Janet Houghton

Terrina Fairbrother, WA 

"Terrina is actively encouraging and training users of the Nominate E-Scoring System for Dressage Events. This has not been fully accepted or achieved in the past in WA, but Terrina has gone out of her way to, and spent a lot of time and effort to: - Source and purchase Tablets for DWA for use by all Dressage Clubs in WA - Travel long distances to train Scribes and Officials in E-Scoring. - Regularly goes to Club Events to assist and "trouble-shoot" for users. - She has done this totally as a volunteer. Terrina is also on the DWA Sub-Committee as Vice-Chair and is the "go-to person" as she is so approachable and has a wealth of knowledge - all with a smile on her face. I can honestly say that Terrina Fairbrother is one of the nicest and friendliest people in Dressage in Australia, and we are so lucky to have her here in Western Australia."

 - Nominated by Janet Reid

Belinda Munro, NSW 

"Belinda stewards, volunteers and much much more at all the big Showjumping shows and Sydney jump club. She is always smiling. Very helpful. Very very good at all she does. And she also is indigenous and does the Welcome to coutry at the big shows.
Anyone in Syd that showjumps will back up my nomination guaranteed.
She is happy smiling calming face when you’re flustered at the shows. She’s also fantastic with the nervous kids and the novice parents."

 - Nominated by Shannon O’Meara

Kay Paulsen, QLD

"Kay's passion is Park Ridge Active Riding Group & her Dressage Judging. She goes to extraordinary lengths to ensure the smooth flow of events & the club. A very genuine & unique person that needs to be recognised for her volunteer efforts."

 - Nominated by  Fiona Strachan

Angela Beresford, QLD

"Angela devotes countless hours to our club (Tweed Valley Equestrian Group EA QLD) without hesitation.

She organises all our volunteers at every event, pencillers, gear check, judge’s accommodation, judges paperwork and also coordinates every monthly clinic we run. She has been president of TVEG for many years and is now a general committee member.

Angela is the sort of person to help if anyone needs anything, a very selfless person adored by all those who know her.

She often volunteers at other local clubs to pencil when they can’t find enough helpers. Truly a deserving recipient of a volunteer award and a true definition of what a volunteer is."

- Nominated by Keighley Leeson

Sally-Ann Barbera, NSW

"Sally has worked tirelessly to improve outcomes for current coaches and to encourage new coaches to the scheme.
She has spent hours in meetings and at events and been supportive of coaches across NSW and Australia."

- Nominated by Kate O’Connor and Emily Breeze

Heike Witt, WA

"Heike is a quite achiever. She has the best interested of the club, Dressage and young riders at heart and is constantly striving to make Dressage (and in turn other equestrian disciplines) a better sport in regional WA.

She is determined to make Dressage in Geraldton relevant and successful. On a personal level Heike is the first to offer help when needed at the stables where we stable our horses. She is kind, generous, strong and resilient - a great role model and volunteer."

- Nominated by Rowena Chant