A new era has begun for the Isis District Horse and Pony Club with safe new fencing at its Apple Tree Creek grounds just in time to celebrate the club’s 65th anniversary next year.
Isis District Horse and Pony Club President Prudence Barwick said the organisation had been a cherished place in the history of the district with generations of local families being members, many of whom are still actively involved today.
“A love of horses and the joy that comes from caring for them has always been central to the pony club cause, along with the chance to learn and improve riding skills in a safe environment,” Prudence said.
“Over the years, many of our riders have competed successfully at regional, state and national level competitions, volunteered to help fundraise for local charities and made lifelong friendships along the way.
“The club has been based at the Apple Tree Creek sportsgrounds since 1994, which is quite fitting given the grounds’ strong connection to horse events over many decades, including the much-loved Apple Tree Creek Sports day and Creek Rodeo.
“Our late Pony Club President Doug Schofield was instrumental in establishing the rodeo and the chutes are named in his honour.”
Pony Club improvements boosts community asset
Prudence said there had also been a number of improvements to the Pony Club’s privately leased grounds over the years, including the relocation of the clubhouse, construction of the Alice Upham shed, the installation of hitching rails and re-fencing of the clubs leased area to improve safety and security.
She said the club had endured a number of setbacks over the years including COVID-19 which had a huge impact on the club.
“Closure of Council facilities in 2020 meant any face-to-face activities were not possible,” she said.
“Club activities returned in 2021 on a smaller scale for our most junior riders and have, until now, been limited to the club’s leased area or riders have been joining rallies with other clubs in the Bundaberg and Fraser Coast areas.
“Ongoing safety and maintenance concerns surrounding the perimeter fence on the sportsgrounds due to flood damage caused by Ex TC Seth has prevented the club from utilising the sportsgrounds for any form of club activity since January 2022.”
But the Isis District Horse and Pony Club chased its goal and applied for funding to help it fulfil its dream of becoming bigger and better in time for its 65th anniversary.
“The downtime was well spent, with the club working hard to put together a $100,000 funding application to the Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) to build a new perimeter fence for the entire sportsgrounds – not just the Pony Club grounds,” Prudence said.
“It is the largest grant the club has ever received, and every dollar has gone towards making the sportsgrounds a usable and safe community facility for years to come.
“In addition to the grant, the club also received funding from the Community and Recreational Assets and Resilience Program to remove flood debris, install a new loading ramp and repair drainage line erosion which occurred as a result of Ex TC Seth.
“Thanks to the funding secured by the pony club, the council-managed sportsgrounds are once again a long-term community asset able to be used by a range of different local and regional organisations.”
Prudence said the return of regular rally days to the sportsgrounds was a milestone for the club, which would also help to keep the heritage of the agricultural district alive.
“Many people have commented how lovely it is to still see horses on the grounds, adding to the culture of the district and tying in with other important features of the sportsgrounds including its heritage-listed war memorial and band rotunda,” she said.
“Club members were very proud to attend the official opening of the new fence by Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett and Councillor Bill Trevor in January this year, and are already busy with monthly rally days and various competitions around the region.”
Isis District Horse and Pony Club welcome new members, to find out more about the club email isispc01@hotmail.com.
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