About Us |
MEET Our Management Committee
Tania Lesneuck - ChairMANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER SINCE FEBRUARY 2019
Tania’s youngest son has a physical disability and started riding with RDA in the Top End late 2015, she has been a strong supporter of the organisation ever since. “Horse riding has been so beneficial for my son’s development and much more fun than regular physiotherapy sessions.” She joined the Management Committee as a regular member in 2019 and successfully applied for grants from Palmerston City Council, BMD Group, Darwin Turf Club and Variety NT. Early 2021 Tania took on the role as Chair of the Committee and focused on building up the Association starting with Governance and staffing while continuing to seek support from partners in the community in various areas. In her professional life Tania is a Classroom Teacher at a local Special Needs School and she loves working with kids with a range of abilities. She holds a Master in Environmental Biology and Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning. “The biggest asset I bring to RDA in the Top End is my passion and enthusiasm for the Association and the programs it offers. The potential of the organisation is huge and I look forward to work with the rest of the Committee to develop and grow RDA in the Top End.” |
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Luke Roe - Vice-Chair
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER SINCE JULY 2021
Luke has lived in the territory his entire life and is originally from the small town of Pine Creek. Luke’s son has been riding with RDA in the Top End since 2019. Luke enjoys watching the joy on all RDA clients when they ride.
Luke works as a project supervisor for an electrical and engineering contracting company and hopes to bring this experience with project management to the RDA in the Top End committee to help the association flourish as a strong community organisation to ensure it can continue to support Territorians with disabilities for future generations.
Luke also sits on the committee managing his company’s corporate responsibility funds. Though this he has helped implement changes to prioritise corporate funding to many local NT indigenous STEM projects.
Luke has lived in the territory his entire life and is originally from the small town of Pine Creek. Luke’s son has been riding with RDA in the Top End since 2019. Luke enjoys watching the joy on all RDA clients when they ride.
Luke works as a project supervisor for an electrical and engineering contracting company and hopes to bring this experience with project management to the RDA in the Top End committee to help the association flourish as a strong community organisation to ensure it can continue to support Territorians with disabilities for future generations.
Luke also sits on the committee managing his company’s corporate responsibility funds. Though this he has helped implement changes to prioritise corporate funding to many local NT indigenous STEM projects.
Keshini Renilson- secretary
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER SINCE 6 June 2022
Keshini was born and raised in Darwin, and has 4 children who are heavily involved in various clubs and activities. She has relevant insight into the unique challenges of operating disability and allied health services in the NT. She is currently one of the Directors of Territory Care and Support Services (TCASS) which provides a range of support services to Territorians with Disabilities. In her role as a Director she is responsible for the compliance and governance of the organization as well as liaising with the NDIS, a range of stakeholders and participants to continuously ensure that the services we provide work towards the individual goals.
Keshini’s worked in various insurance roles as a Rehabilitation and Return to Work consultant, this allowed her to gain insight into how to work within the workers compensation act, and use these resources for positive outcomes. Her background in rehabilitation started with a degree in Biomechanical Engineering from the University of New South Wales and roles in hospitals both in the UK and Australia.
Keshini was born and raised in Darwin, and has 4 children who are heavily involved in various clubs and activities. She has relevant insight into the unique challenges of operating disability and allied health services in the NT. She is currently one of the Directors of Territory Care and Support Services (TCASS) which provides a range of support services to Territorians with Disabilities. In her role as a Director she is responsible for the compliance and governance of the organization as well as liaising with the NDIS, a range of stakeholders and participants to continuously ensure that the services we provide work towards the individual goals.
Keshini’s worked in various insurance roles as a Rehabilitation and Return to Work consultant, this allowed her to gain insight into how to work within the workers compensation act, and use these resources for positive outcomes. Her background in rehabilitation started with a degree in Biomechanical Engineering from the University of New South Wales and roles in hospitals both in the UK and Australia.
LAKSHMI VAZHAYIL - public officer
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER SINCE JULY 2021
With more than 10 years of Accounting and Finance related experience, Lakshmi brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as the Treasurer of Riding for the Disabled in the Top End.
Overseeing the finance/operational practices, Lakshmi is responsible for providing direction and guidance to staff and takes pride in reflecting the RDA Top End values and strategic goals by working to high standards of excellence, accuracy and transparency.
Before joining RDA in the Top End, Lakshmi worked as the accountant for both Public practice firms and the Not-for-profit sector.
With a Master’s in Professional Accounting from Charles Darwin University, along with working towards completing the Chartered Accountancy program, Lakshmi is also planning to extend her knowledge in risk and governance by attending courses offered by the Governance Institute of Australia and accountancy bodies.
With more than 10 years of Accounting and Finance related experience, Lakshmi brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as the Treasurer of Riding for the Disabled in the Top End.
Overseeing the finance/operational practices, Lakshmi is responsible for providing direction and guidance to staff and takes pride in reflecting the RDA Top End values and strategic goals by working to high standards of excellence, accuracy and transparency.
Before joining RDA in the Top End, Lakshmi worked as the accountant for both Public practice firms and the Not-for-profit sector.
With a Master’s in Professional Accounting from Charles Darwin University, along with working towards completing the Chartered Accountancy program, Lakshmi is also planning to extend her knowledge in risk and governance by attending courses offered by the Governance Institute of Australia and accountancy bodies.
Ajit Shine - Treasurer
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER SINCE MAY 2022
Ajit has gained experience with not for profit organisations while providing services as a Financial Auditor. He is a Financial Advisor and is keen to be involved with the strategic aspects of running a not for profit. Ajit plans to apply his financial skills to explore opportunities for diversifying income steams for RDA Top End to ensure its long term financial sustainability.
Ajit is an active community member, he loves animal and has volunteered with People for Animals in Mumbai and RSPCA in Darwin.
Ajit has gained experience with not for profit organisations while providing services as a Financial Auditor. He is a Financial Advisor and is keen to be involved with the strategic aspects of running a not for profit. Ajit plans to apply his financial skills to explore opportunities for diversifying income steams for RDA Top End to ensure its long term financial sustainability.
Ajit is an active community member, he loves animal and has volunteered with People for Animals in Mumbai and RSPCA in Darwin.
NICOLE JACOBSON - committee member
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER SINCE NOVEMBER 2021
Nicole is a parent to one of our riders and has an interest in rider wellbeing.
Nicole is a parent to one of our riders and has an interest in rider wellbeing.
Maddi McBeath - committee member
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER SINCE May 2022
Currently employed as the Commercial Manager for ICN NT, a not-for-profit with a Board and high value placed on governance practices. My role is in strategic direction, developing business opportunities with major projects, relationship management and a realm of other commercial obligations. Throughout my career and separate from my corporate experience, I have also owned and managed gyms which required a high capacity for marketing and promotions.
Aside from relevant skills, I feel I will bring passion to the committee as I grew up riding horses and competed throughout my childhood and teens. I strongly believe in the healing nature of horses and have seen first hand the benefits RDA can bring, with a riding club friend having previously been an RDA rider before finding the confidence to join our riding club.
Currently employed as the Commercial Manager for ICN NT, a not-for-profit with a Board and high value placed on governance practices. My role is in strategic direction, developing business opportunities with major projects, relationship management and a realm of other commercial obligations. Throughout my career and separate from my corporate experience, I have also owned and managed gyms which required a high capacity for marketing and promotions.
Aside from relevant skills, I feel I will bring passion to the committee as I grew up riding horses and competed throughout my childhood and teens. I strongly believe in the healing nature of horses and have seen first hand the benefits RDA can bring, with a riding club friend having previously been an RDA rider before finding the confidence to join our riding club.
Lorraine Hodgson - Ordinary Member
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER SINCE DECEMBER 2021
Lorraine is a director with the Australian Special Education Principals Association (Company by limited guarantee) and is the Chair at the Teacher Registration Board NT.
She has a wealth of knowledge and experience getting the best outcomes for young people of all abilities. She has worked as a teacher and principal in school and recently retired as principal from Nemarluk Special School.
She enjoys walks in the George Brown Botanical Gardens with her 2 lovely dogs.
Lorraine is a director with the Australian Special Education Principals Association (Company by limited guarantee) and is the Chair at the Teacher Registration Board NT.
She has a wealth of knowledge and experience getting the best outcomes for young people of all abilities. She has worked as a teacher and principal in school and recently retired as principal from Nemarluk Special School.
She enjoys walks in the George Brown Botanical Gardens with her 2 lovely dogs.
MEET Our coaching team
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Coaches wantedWe are currently looking for casual coaches.
If you are interested get in touch with us. Training provided for the right candidates. |
Office and Volunteer AdministratorTreasa O'Kane started with RDA Top End mid March 2022. She hit the ground running with some events including, our Open Day, Deckchair Cinema fundraiser and sausage sizzles.
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caretakerJulie Bliss joined RDA Top End as our caretaker in July 2022 and was a dedicated volunteer long before that.
She has a passion for horses and ensure the horse and the centre are well looked after. |
