Visit makes horse sense

Flight Lieutenant Mark Saunders with disabled rider Kate Davison and her mum Carol.

RAAF Base Williamtown personnel have visited a Riding for the Disabled (RDA) facility at Raymond Terrace.

At the invitation of centre coordinator Jan Sharp, Williamtown Base Commander Wing Commander Ian Farnsworth and pilots from No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit dropped by the facility to witness first hand the joy that riding can bring to children with a disability.

It was also an opportunity for Williamtown personnel to assure centre staff that the base was doing everything it could to reduce potential aircraft noise near the facility.

Being close to the flight path for aircraft approaching Williamtown from the west, there was a small risk that aircraft noise could frighten the centre’s horse while children were riding.

But Squadron Leader Rob Chipman assured RDA staff that, when approaching the runway, pilots would normally be at a safe1500ft as they passed over the area.

After the pilots explained the intricacies of the approach to Williamtown, it was over to 13-year-old Kate Davison to demonstrate her riding skills. Mounted on 33-year-old Tugboat, she did several laps of the arena, with help from her mum Carol and Flight Lieutenant Mark Saunders.

The Williamtown team left impressed by the selfless dedication of the volunteers, the determination of the children and the obvious pleasure and benefits riding brings to them.

WGCDR Farnsworth said the visit had given the two organisations a greater understanding of each other’s activities and had established a good working relationship.

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