Jaimee & Tucker Henderson - Vice President 

Jaimee works at Horseland in Bendigo. She gives all the time she has available to helping to care for the horses, treat them, and exercise them. Her speciality however, is the gentle kindness and love that she consistently shows them, and which goes a long way towards supporting their rehabilitation. 

Jaimee has a lovely Clydy X gelding. Tucker was initially brought to T.R.E.W as a rescued horse, but wormed his way into Jaimee's affections, clever boy that he is, and found himself re homed without having to actually leave! Jaimee has ridden since a small child, being fortunate enough to have a very horsey mum. Her dream is to have a career with horses, but she is defintely headed down the wrong track with the rescue and rehab work if she ever hopes to make a living!

We, and the horses, are extremely lucky to have her. 

Tanya & Rosie Meldrum - Secretary & Fundraising Co-ordinator

Hi, my name is Tanya. I live on a small acreage in Monbulk, in the Dandenong Ranges, east of Melbourne. I have recently aquired my first horse, a dream that I have finally realised after 32 years!! I adore all animals, but horses have been my favourite for as long as I can remember. I am a member and supporter of various animal groups and charities, because I find the neglect, cruelty and abuse that animals suffer at the hands of humans, both directly and indirectly, is completely intolerable and unfathomable. 
I became involved with T.R.E.W. relatively recently, after a friend encouraged me to visit the website and join the forum. What I found was the friendliest, most helpful, and highly dedicated bunch of people you could imagine. While it frustrates me that I can't do more in the "hands-on" rescue and rehabilitation of equines, the T.R.E.W. people have made me realise that I have other skills to offer, which are valuable to the organisation, and ultimately, the welfare of these proud, intelligent and majestic creatures.

Aside from the actual rescue and rehabilitation, I believe education to be one of the most important facets of animal welfare. I am constantly astounded at the number of people who are totally oblivious to the welfare issues. I believe people do not think beyond what they can see, therefore, they do not ask the questions such as, "What happens to the failed racehorse?" or "What happens to a horse that has outlived its "usefulness" due to age or an injury?"  I hope that I can make a difference. 
 

Deirdre Oswald - Treasurer

Hi all. My name is Deirdre.  I am a semi-retired (Haa!), very busy lady who lives with hubby, David just outside of Wedderburn, Victoria.  We live on 40 acres of interesting, but unproductive ground, but it does provide us with space and peace to see the far horizons, and the incredible night skies. The space we have is good, as our current ‘kids’, two German Shepherd girls have never known anything else except that they can run down to the dam, or over to the ‘bunny hill’ whenever they want. We have two ‘real kids’ one girl, one boy, both very grown up and with lovely families of their own, and providing me with, at this stage, 4 beautiful Granddaughters.
I have ridden and owned horses throughout my life, whenever and wherever I could, but have no larger pets, here, just the two dogs, two cats and two particular kangaroos that visit. It was my lasting love of horses that made me notice TREW, I just couldn’t resist calling in to find out about one horse, and that was the start, and although not having the level of hands on skills of many associated with TREW, I hope I can be a support and friend to all.
I have a passionate love of all animals, and often despair as to how I can make a difference in the world.  With T.R.E.W I have found something tangible, where I can help out, and I thank all involved for that.

Eloise & Ben O'Doherty - Horse Sponsorship Secretary

I live in the Barossa Valley in SA, I have a lovely partner Shane, who is non-horsey but he is getting better. We have two lovely little girls Tia who is 4 & Kari who is nearly 2. have always had a love of horses from a kid & rode my cousins horses on the family farm. I had a couple of horses when I was a kid but then was horseless for many years til one day when I got the bug again, since then I have had a few horses but now I have a TB called Look 'N' Learn aka Benson or Ben, then came the little Shetland Belron Esmond aka Billy or Bill, then I was offered a rescue, Chloe, who we think may be a Connemara X, then I have Angel the little Pony all the way from T.R.E.W. I lease 9 acres of land at Tanunda where I keep my 4 horses. I also sub-lease/agist 3 other horses.
I came across T.R.E.W via their wonderful Forum. I have since then met many of the T.R.E.W. members & Committee & find it great.. I have finally meet people who have similar values & opinions. I have become involved with T.R.E.W as I appreciate their honesty & true feelings towards the Equines, & people wanting to help those that have been abandoned or mistreated & give them another chance at life. Other than horses I like fishing, cars, gardening & our lovely Rhodesian Ridgeback dog named Hudson, who is a lovely young chap but very much a puppy still.

Tara Matthews - Membership Secretary

Hi all, my name is Tara Matthews and I live in the beautiful Adelaide Hills, S.A. with my husband Brandon and our four furry kids. Brandon and myself have both loved horses all our lives and have been lucky enough to finally realise our dream of owning a horse property where our four spoilt horses live their lives in relative luxury with us as their slaves. We enjoy our horses mainly for pleasure riding and just for being the magnificent animal they are.

There is no way we could be as passionate as we are about horses without feeling concern and compassion for all equines. This is why we are involved with T.R.E.W. Besides the wonderful effort Bec, and T.R.E.W make with hands on care of neglected and abused equines we also love the fact that TREW is trying to educate people about proper, ethical care of horses and very importantly the changes that are needed to our animal welfare laws in this country. Being involved with TREW, even in a small way makes us feel less helpless, and brings a great feeling of satisfaction that we are trying to do something important for all horses.

Rebecca Atkins - President

I have been lucky enough to be around horses for my entire life, and can't imagine life without them. Over the years I have been involved in many areas of the horse world.. racing, showing, business owner, poo picker upper, etc. I owe a lot to horses, and I have to say that the work we now do through T.R.E.W has been the most rewarding of all. Extremely tough at times, but I feel very priviledged to have spent my time with so many wonderful horses, and to have been present in their recovery. All of them make a special place in my heart for themselves, and I have learned much from all of them. Knowing these horses has given me a whole new perspective. Some of them have not been pretty, some aged, many with behavioural issues, old injuries...but all of them, with no exceptions, have proven themselves to be forgiving, kind, and appreciative when shown some care, respect, and understanding. If you have read Scruffy's page, you will understand why I am doing what I do. He was one such of these horses, who unfortunately was not lucky enough to be assisted in his plight. Every horse that is helped by T.R.E.W is done so in Scruffy's memory. There are way too many 'Scruffy's' out there.

I live with my 8 yo old daughter on a small (3.5 acre) property in Central Victoria. The property has evolved from an agistment concern, to becoming a care facility for horses in need. Of course we always need more space, a float, more funds etc., BUT it is amazing what can be achieved when people work together for a common aim, and do not allow themselves to believe that the problem is just too big, and that there's no way that they can make a difference. I am so proud of those who have joined together to do what we CAN do, because at times it is hard work, and at times it can be very taxing upon your emotions. Good on you all :)

It is my hope that there will come a time where every horse lover, and also the wider community, will make it their business to ensure that these magnificant animals are cared for as they should be. Regardless of who 'owns' a horse, we are all responsible, as the human race who has been entrusted with their care and well being, to ensure the safety, health, and respect due to equines is afforded them. Do NOT turn a blind eye. Please speak for those who cannot.

Lindy Cuthbertson - Publicity Secretary

I live in country Victoria, near Beaufort, with my totally non-horsey husband, (he tries very hard though), and my two teenage boys. I grew up with horses but have only started riding again after a break of twenty years. I have a beautiful part Arab grey Paint mare named Chalice, who has taught me a great deal during these last four years. I class myself as a pleasure rider, (if its not pleasurable I don't ride), and I practice natural horsemanship. I love jumping, and I am learning more about Dressage, even though I have desire to compete. As I grew up stock and trail riding this has been quite a different experience to say the least. Even though I thought of myself as experienced I found out in a hurry that there is always something to learn and each horse will teach you something different.

I discovered TREW when I attended their 'Celebration of the Horse' with a friend of mine. I was so impressed with the work that they do, and the sheer guts and determination they possess to provide every horse they come across a better life, I thought I just had to be part of this and help in the any way that I can. Even though I do not have the confidence nor the expertise to work hands on with rescue horses, I feel there are ways to help in other areas. I believe it takes a special sort of person to work with these beautiful but helpless animals, and even though most people will rescue a horse with all good intentions, more often than not the horse once again has to be “saved”. It is not just a matter of putting it in a paddock with some decent feed, and this is where a lot of good intentioned people become unstuck.

In a perfect world I would like to see it mandatory for all Pony Clubs and Adult Riding Clubs to educate their members properly in all aspects of horse care, and not just concentrate on riding. There are way too many children and adults out there that know how to ride, but have no understanding of proper and complete horse care.

(pic to come)