Friday November 8, 2019 is a day that is burned into our collective memory, thanks to the Hillville and Rumba Dump bushfires threatening lives and property.
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It was a day that started early at the Manning Great Lakes Riding for the Disabled (RDA) centre at Rainbow Flat.
"It's still very much in our minds," RDA treasurer, Kay Goon said.
"On Thursday night, the call went on Facebook to say we need to get the horses out urgently because the RFS had told us the fire was heading this way.
"So many people came forward and offered help. We managed to get two big transport trucks, so all the horses went in those very early on the Friday morning.
"There was only one horse that we all worried about, Jaffa. She wouldn't get on the float. They tried for about two hours and she was just stressing. The firies advised us to leave her in the arena because they'd save the structures as much as they could. They were so good to us."
The horses were evacuated to a property outside of Wingham. They were reportedly very happy to get there, having a good gallop and tossing their heads around when released into the paddocks.
"I think they were relieved," Kay said.
"A week or so before was when the Failford fire blew up, and we had to cancel a couple of the week rides because the smoke was just too bad. The horses had been around the fire threat and our anxiety for some weeks."
The RFS advice was sound - the fire did reach the centre, but the only damage sustained was the loss of the front fence and a few trees.
"The neighbour lost quite a lot of sheds, so it got quite close," Kay said.
Thankfully, Jaffa was safe. Monty, Jaffa's best mate, was brought back to the centre to keep Jaffa company after the threat had passed. But it has taken Jaffa a long time to settle down after the ordeal.
"Every time she heard big trucks coming down the road she'd get stressed. That night (November 8) it would have been just noise and lights," Kay said.
Once we had the horses at Wingham we were being told the Rumba Dump fire could be a threat, and it was like where do we go now?.
- Kay Goon
The rest of the horses stayed put at Wingham for 11 weeks. There was no feed on the paddocks as the drought had killed it off, and the property owners also had their own horses to look after. The volunteers swung into action and took on feeding and 'poo patrol' (clearing the paddocks of manure) duties.
No sooner had the non profit organisation got the horses back and had clients start riding for the year in March, as is usual practice, than the pandemic hit and the centre was forced to close to its clients.
The volunteers once again came to the rescue - Jo, who lives on the property and donates the use of it to RDA, broke her wrist and couldn't look after the horses. Once her wrist started to heal, she hurt her knee.
"We've had a regular number of volunteers coming out since COVID. At least a dozen have kept us going," Kay said.
Volunteers attended the centre morning and night to feed the horses and pick up manure. Some with more experience groomed and exercised the horses.
A special thank you
RDA has used the down time enforced by COVID restrictions to provide the volunteers with one on one time with the horses.
In normal times, many of the volunteers would only lead a horse with a client riding, or be 'side walkers' alongside the horse.
On Thursday mornings, Sue Harding-White, RDA Mid North Coast regional representative, and coach, travels down from Wauchope to supervise and train the volunteers in grooming and lunging the horses, as most, but not all, of the volunteers have experience with the animals.
The volunteers are treasuring the time spent being more hands-on with the horses.
"I enjoy every minute coming out to the horses. I love the smell of horse. I haven't ridden since about 2005. I could sit here and play with them all day!" Marie, a volunteer, said.
Volunteers needed
RDA relies on volunteers to keep the centre going and, as with many volunteer organisations, they have found this year particularly gruelling.
"All over, the centres are really, really struggling because most of their clients do not understand what's going on. They have no concept and they just want to be here and riding, and they can't understand why they can't be here. And horses don't get it!" Sue said.
"It is a very difficult time at the moment, for all centres. We're low on volunteers because everyone is trying to do the right thing. So we're all working on skeleton staff."
You don't need experience with horses to be a volunteer with RDA.
"We're always after volunteers, and you do not have to be horsey at all, because we fully train you. And if you do feel a bit intimidated, we've got the little ones (miniature horses) you can work with," Sue said.
"Anyone is very welcome. There are all sorts of positions to be filled. Next March is the AGM and we need people on board as a full committee and a full staff. And when we do get back into full-on riding, then we need side walkers, because a lot of clients can't ride unassisted."
To inquire about volunteering with RDA, contact them through their Facebook page, Riding for the Disabled - NSW Manning Great Lakes Centre.