Congratulations Karen! The Hills Shire Council Australia Day Awards Citizen of the Year – Joint Winner for 2019! Amazing recognition for your dedication and commitment not only to our Centre, RDA(NSW) and for all the participants that you have helped through your 36 years of volunteering!
Karen O’Neill from Riding for the Disabled – Tall Timbers: Karen O’Neill started volunteering at RDA (NSW) Tall Timbers Centre in 1982, assisting with the Saturday group riding classes. Over the course of 36 years, Karen has worked her way up to become a senior coach, an assessor for RDA (NSW) and has been the honorary President for the Tall Timbers Committee for more than 10 years.
Karen is involved in organising and assisting fundraising events, working bees and is always thinking of clever ways to improve the service and property for the riders, volunteers and staff. She also assists during dressage days, mounted games days and during interclub competitions. Karen is always integrating new ways in which her riders can benefit from their sessions, including implementing music, games and or activities. During her time with RDA, the enthusiastic teacher and coach has been the recipient of three awards, including Volunteer of the Year Tall Timbers Centre 2002, Pearl Batchelor Volunteer of the Year RDA (NSW) State Award 2003 and a Life Membership for Tall Timbers in 2006.
