Category: Sport and Recreation (Special Commendation)
Recipient: Dylis McConnell-Hunt
Nominated By: Pegasus Riding for the Disabled
Dylis has had a 35 year history volunteering with Riding for the disabled (RDA) in various locations around regional Victoria and NSW as her family has moved a lot over the years and now the past 7 years with the ACT branch. She inherited her love and commitment to RDA from her father, who was instrumental in establishing an RDA in Warrnambool Victoria.
Her roles at Pegasus have included: Leader which involves leading and controlling the horse around a set course, Side Walker which involves walking along side of he rider and horse, providing physical, verbal and/or emotional support as required and Coach which involves planning, delivering, monitoring and being overall responsible for the riding class.
She is happy to take new volunteers ‘under her wing’ and mentor them, making them feel welcome and explaining the routine of the class to them.
With fundraising being an important side to the running of the organisation, Dylis has been instrumental in many of the fundraising events and is always the first one to put her hand up to help, despite often being busy with many other activities in her life.
She has also dedicated herself to volunteering in other areas such as:
- Establishing and coordinating 10 playgroups in regional Victoria
- Meals on Wheels in Ballarat
- Infant welfare centre in Ballarat
- Specific children’s ward in the local Creswick Hospital and the Creswick Hospital Horse Show<./li>
In the 1980s, Dylis became president of the P&C Committee as well as representing the local School Council and in 1985 became the co-founder of “Do-Care” (Domiciliary Care to Aged and Shut-ins) and also followed this with volunteering for the Red Cross in both Sydney and Hobart.
Dylis is an example of a member of the community who understands the difference one person can make to the lives of so many others. Her volunteer work and dedication is truly inspirational.