Annual Report for Star Struck Stables Equestrian Vaulting Team Inc.
2014-2015
Vision
Improving the lives of people with disabilities and from disadvantaged backgrounds, by using equestrian vaulting to build capacity, increase functioning and provide a place for individuals and their families to belong, and set personal goals.
Our Purposes
To use therapeutic equestrian vaulting as an approach to therapy to assist a broad range of people with emotional, cognitive, behavioral and mental health conditions.
To use therapeutic equestrian vaulting to promote the prevention of isolation and mental health disorders in the disabled community.
To use therapeutic equestrian vaulting to promote the prevention of isolation and mental health disorders in the elderly community.
To use therapeutic equestrian vaulting to promote increased mood for people suffering from Alzheimer’s.
To use therapeutic equestrian vaulting to promote the prevention of animal related violence in the youth population.
To use therapeutic equestrian vaulting to promote physical strength development in people with psychical disabilities.
To use therapeutic equestrian vaulting to promote empathy, respects, sense of responsibility, non-verbal communication, awareness, trust and self-esteem in at risk groups, with the aim to decrease offending behaviors.
Core Values
*Team spirit, Encouragement, building on strengths
*Client Focused
*Compassion, Accountability and Respect
*Empowerment, Integrity and Courage
*Communication, Innovation and Action
*Patience, Personal Growth, Dreaming Big.
Board of Directors
Frances Lakey (Chair), Diane Solomon (Public Officer), Ann Connors (Treasurer), Richard Thomson (Director), Stacey Timms (Director), Zia Mcleod (coach)
Chairperson's Report
Looking back at the year that has passed, it’s a time to reflect on our achievements, triumphs and sorrows and the growth of the work of the team.
The team has suffered the major setback of losing the rental property that we run our programs from. As a result of this setback the team has many people to thank for supporting our team of therapy horses during this critical time. We wholeheartedly wish to thank the Royal Geelong Agricultural & Pastoral Society Inc, Hugh Kingsley, and Colin Hotchin from Niloc temporary fencing, Shaun and Doug from Warralily Armstrong Creek. Paris Tocknell, Van Someren Equestrian Vaulting, John Cooper, Lakey family, Megan Grant, Ken Spillard, Zephre Spillard, Keegan Spillard, Allan and Wendy Warren, Carol and Jeff Izatt, Susan Playfoot, Julie and Toni, and last but not least the entire amazing Burch family for their support. Your individual actions of support all played a major role in the survival of our team.
We would also like to thank the following Businesses that all financially contributed to our team following the sudden loss of our rental property. Moolap Takeaway, Breakwater Panels, Spray Metal Engendering, TPA Auto Electric, Stickman Contracting, Wattle Park Panels, Kellynack Automotive, Breakwater Marine, Decision Engines and Firearms, Bellarine Smash. Geelong is currently experiencing a difficult time, with many of these businesses having to lay off staff, as they are not getting enough business. These businesses put their own struggles aside and still opened their hearts and wallets to support our team in our time of desperate need.
Even under the less than ideal circumstances the team rallied to push forward and grow in the face of adversity. We welcomed a new volunteer Sue Bender, who joined us from NSW. Our head coach Zia Mcleod became the first Level one Equestrian Australia vaulting coach in Victoria. The team welcomed Freisian foal Zara to our team of horses.
We were very fortunate to receive two grants this year, which have been instrumental to our growth this year. We would like to thank COGG for the grant to purchase a new vaulting roller for our team. Our original rollers were stolen in a burglary, and the team was using an outdated borrowed therapy roller, limiting which vaulting moves could be performed on the horses. Thanks to COGG the team now has a new roller that fits our horses well, and enables our participants to perform any vaulting trick they are courageous enough to try, allowing our participants to set challenging goals for personal growth. Thanks COGG for replacing our most integral piece of equipment.
Thanks to the Australian Sports Foundation we were also lucky enough to receive an innovation in sports grant to make mechanical vaulting barrels to train on. We dreamed of being like the overseas vaulting groups that had access to this fantastic equipment. Mechanical barrels allow participants so practice on a moving barrel while having the confidence of being surrounded by safety mats. Thanks to the Australian Sports Foundation for providing us the opportunity to make this innovative technology in Australia which allows our participants to train harder, and aim higher.
I would also like to thank our therapy horses Rocky and Doug who we sadly lost this year. Doug was an integral part of our vaulting team’s early development. He was our second canter horse, an amazing therapy horse, a funny, kind, gentle character who is greatly missed by all who loved him.
Rocky was our first team horse, he was the best horse to try vaulting for the first time on. Rocky was the heart and soul of our team, carrying our team around the country to compete, attending all pony-club demonstrations, pulling a cart every Easter for the Easter egg hunt, going on trail rides and vaulting. He was the best therapy horse we have. Rocky has left very big footsteps for the other therapy horses to fill. He was always the life of the party, demanding to be involved with everything. He is sadly missed by vaulters all around Australia, we were blessed to be able to share Rocky with the world, and take him on so many adventures. Thank-you for your support.
Frances Lakey
Chairperson
Public Officer's Report
2014-2015 has been a challenging year. However, it has seen the introduction of new equipment that will greatly improve the quality of service provided to our participants. We have had a busy year, which has seen our organization dividing its roles and purposes into two separate organizations to allow us to develop and expand into the future. Star Struck Stables Equestrian Vaulting Team Inc., now solely runs therapeutic vaulting programs for people with disabilities, medical conditions, disadvantaged backgrounds and migrants and other groups in need. We have now registered a second organization 'SSS Equestrian Vaulting Development Squad Inc.' to manage the integrated competition team, fund-raising activities, sports development clinics, and sports promotional activities such as demonstrations. These changes will make it easier to manage our finance and funding, and it keeps the boundaries very clear. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our tireless volunteers for their contributions and support during this difficult year. Also a gigantic thankyou to City of Greater Geelong and the Australian Sports Foundation for giving us much needed grants, that have been a large part of our growth this year.
Diane Solomon
Public Officer
Financial Report for Star Struck Stables Equestrian Vaulting Team Inc.
From the 1st of July 2014- 30th June 2015
Income Expenses
Australian Sports Foundation Grant $6,000.00 Nigel Bate – Mechanical Barrel Manufacturer (Parts) $ 500.00
City of Greater Geelong Grant $2,950.00 Roller $2,950.00
Donation Lyn Burch $1,000.00 Round Yard $1,600.00
Donation Bellarine Smash Repair $ 50.00 Barrel padding $ 123.86
Fundraising $ 693.66
Total Income $10,693.66 Total Expenses $5,173.86
Balance at the End of Financial Year $5,697.82
Assets Purchased
Round Yard $1600
Vaulting Roller $2,950
2014-2015
Vision
Improving the lives of people with disabilities and from disadvantaged backgrounds, by using equestrian vaulting to build capacity, increase functioning and provide a place for individuals and their families to belong, and set personal goals.
Our Purposes
To use therapeutic equestrian vaulting as an approach to therapy to assist a broad range of people with emotional, cognitive, behavioral and mental health conditions.
To use therapeutic equestrian vaulting to promote the prevention of isolation and mental health disorders in the disabled community.
To use therapeutic equestrian vaulting to promote the prevention of isolation and mental health disorders in the elderly community.
To use therapeutic equestrian vaulting to promote increased mood for people suffering from Alzheimer’s.
To use therapeutic equestrian vaulting to promote the prevention of animal related violence in the youth population.
To use therapeutic equestrian vaulting to promote physical strength development in people with psychical disabilities.
To use therapeutic equestrian vaulting to promote empathy, respects, sense of responsibility, non-verbal communication, awareness, trust and self-esteem in at risk groups, with the aim to decrease offending behaviors.
Core Values
*Team spirit, Encouragement, building on strengths
*Client Focused
*Compassion, Accountability and Respect
*Empowerment, Integrity and Courage
*Communication, Innovation and Action
*Patience, Personal Growth, Dreaming Big.
Board of Directors
Frances Lakey (Chair), Diane Solomon (Public Officer), Ann Connors (Treasurer), Richard Thomson (Director), Stacey Timms (Director), Zia Mcleod (coach)
Chairperson's Report
Looking back at the year that has passed, it’s a time to reflect on our achievements, triumphs and sorrows and the growth of the work of the team.
The team has suffered the major setback of losing the rental property that we run our programs from. As a result of this setback the team has many people to thank for supporting our team of therapy horses during this critical time. We wholeheartedly wish to thank the Royal Geelong Agricultural & Pastoral Society Inc, Hugh Kingsley, and Colin Hotchin from Niloc temporary fencing, Shaun and Doug from Warralily Armstrong Creek. Paris Tocknell, Van Someren Equestrian Vaulting, John Cooper, Lakey family, Megan Grant, Ken Spillard, Zephre Spillard, Keegan Spillard, Allan and Wendy Warren, Carol and Jeff Izatt, Susan Playfoot, Julie and Toni, and last but not least the entire amazing Burch family for their support. Your individual actions of support all played a major role in the survival of our team.
We would also like to thank the following Businesses that all financially contributed to our team following the sudden loss of our rental property. Moolap Takeaway, Breakwater Panels, Spray Metal Engendering, TPA Auto Electric, Stickman Contracting, Wattle Park Panels, Kellynack Automotive, Breakwater Marine, Decision Engines and Firearms, Bellarine Smash. Geelong is currently experiencing a difficult time, with many of these businesses having to lay off staff, as they are not getting enough business. These businesses put their own struggles aside and still opened their hearts and wallets to support our team in our time of desperate need.
Even under the less than ideal circumstances the team rallied to push forward and grow in the face of adversity. We welcomed a new volunteer Sue Bender, who joined us from NSW. Our head coach Zia Mcleod became the first Level one Equestrian Australia vaulting coach in Victoria. The team welcomed Freisian foal Zara to our team of horses.
We were very fortunate to receive two grants this year, which have been instrumental to our growth this year. We would like to thank COGG for the grant to purchase a new vaulting roller for our team. Our original rollers were stolen in a burglary, and the team was using an outdated borrowed therapy roller, limiting which vaulting moves could be performed on the horses. Thanks to COGG the team now has a new roller that fits our horses well, and enables our participants to perform any vaulting trick they are courageous enough to try, allowing our participants to set challenging goals for personal growth. Thanks COGG for replacing our most integral piece of equipment.
Thanks to the Australian Sports Foundation we were also lucky enough to receive an innovation in sports grant to make mechanical vaulting barrels to train on. We dreamed of being like the overseas vaulting groups that had access to this fantastic equipment. Mechanical barrels allow participants so practice on a moving barrel while having the confidence of being surrounded by safety mats. Thanks to the Australian Sports Foundation for providing us the opportunity to make this innovative technology in Australia which allows our participants to train harder, and aim higher.
I would also like to thank our therapy horses Rocky and Doug who we sadly lost this year. Doug was an integral part of our vaulting team’s early development. He was our second canter horse, an amazing therapy horse, a funny, kind, gentle character who is greatly missed by all who loved him.
Rocky was our first team horse, he was the best horse to try vaulting for the first time on. Rocky was the heart and soul of our team, carrying our team around the country to compete, attending all pony-club demonstrations, pulling a cart every Easter for the Easter egg hunt, going on trail rides and vaulting. He was the best therapy horse we have. Rocky has left very big footsteps for the other therapy horses to fill. He was always the life of the party, demanding to be involved with everything. He is sadly missed by vaulters all around Australia, we were blessed to be able to share Rocky with the world, and take him on so many adventures. Thank-you for your support.
Frances Lakey
Chairperson
Public Officer's Report
2014-2015 has been a challenging year. However, it has seen the introduction of new equipment that will greatly improve the quality of service provided to our participants. We have had a busy year, which has seen our organization dividing its roles and purposes into two separate organizations to allow us to develop and expand into the future. Star Struck Stables Equestrian Vaulting Team Inc., now solely runs therapeutic vaulting programs for people with disabilities, medical conditions, disadvantaged backgrounds and migrants and other groups in need. We have now registered a second organization 'SSS Equestrian Vaulting Development Squad Inc.' to manage the integrated competition team, fund-raising activities, sports development clinics, and sports promotional activities such as demonstrations. These changes will make it easier to manage our finance and funding, and it keeps the boundaries very clear. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our tireless volunteers for their contributions and support during this difficult year. Also a gigantic thankyou to City of Greater Geelong and the Australian Sports Foundation for giving us much needed grants, that have been a large part of our growth this year.
Diane Solomon
Public Officer
Financial Report for Star Struck Stables Equestrian Vaulting Team Inc.
From the 1st of July 2014- 30th June 2015
Income Expenses
Australian Sports Foundation Grant $6,000.00 Nigel Bate – Mechanical Barrel Manufacturer (Parts) $ 500.00
City of Greater Geelong Grant $2,950.00 Roller $2,950.00
Donation Lyn Burch $1,000.00 Round Yard $1,600.00
Donation Bellarine Smash Repair $ 50.00 Barrel padding $ 123.86
Fundraising $ 693.66
Total Income $10,693.66 Total Expenses $5,173.86
Balance at the End of Financial Year $5,697.82
Assets Purchased
Round Yard $1600
Vaulting Roller $2,950