Maryborough Riding for the Disabled has bright days and nights ahead

Children and adults with disabilities will enjoy greater access to horse riding activities with a $12,500 grant to help Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Maryborough upgrade its lighting, Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien announced today.

“This grant will allow Maryborough RDA to install three-phase power and 10 LED lights, so participants and community members will be able to ride after dark, and will also provide power for a stage and food vans for events, which will increase the organisation’s fundraising capabilities,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Noel Ryan and his team of 40 volunteers do a fantastic job to help Maryborough people with disabilities enjoy the physical, social and emotional benefits of horse-riding, making a real difference to the wellbeing of 30 participants and their families, and I congratulate them on their successful application.

“This investment through Round 7 of the Liberal and Nationals Government’s Stronger Communities Programme will help strengthen social connections, build community participation and deliver a brighter and more vibrant future for the Maryborough community.”

Riding for the Disabled Association Maryborough president Noel Ryan thanked Mr O’Brien for the funding.

“Maryborough RDA is turning 40 next year, and the new lighting system means we will be able to hire out the facility to community members, do more fundraising through community events and our fish and chip van, and enable us to continue to grow and put on more activities,” Mr Ryan said.

Round 7 of the Stronger Communities Programme will provide $22.7 million to community organisations in Australia, delivering investment in regional areas, supporting jobs to drive our economic recovery, and ensuring our regions remain great places to live and visit.

“The Coalition Government is continuing to back regional and remote communities, investing in opportunities for them to get ahead and prosper into the future as well as delivering much-needed infrastructure and equipment, and supporting local jobs,” Mr O’Brien said.

Through the Stronger Communities Program, the Government has provided more than $158 million in total for projects for community-building and job-creating projects across Australia.

More information is available at business.gov.au/scp