Our Committee is made up of skilled and enthusiastic people. The 2019 Committee have set goals and have achieved even more in their time with APRDA.
APRDA Committee Members 2020-2021
Lee Patterson / Role – President
I have been involved in volunteer work in the community for over 20 years now and I have loved my time volunteering at APRDA since 2014. In 2016 I was asked to join the committee as Secretary and at the 2020 AGM was voted in as President. I have a background in Office Management and Admin Management. I have my own online business and hold qualifications in Work Health & Safety and Training & Assessment.
Katie Lister / Role – Vice President
Samantha Gray / Role – Secretary
I began as a Volunteer at APRDA back in 2014 when I first arrived from South Africa, and never left! My background was in Equine Assisted Play Therapy and I am now a qualified RDA Coach but am currently studying a Bachelors of Communications. I joined the committee because I believe in everything APRDA does and stands for. I want to ensure that it’s legacy outlasts the tests of time, and over the years APRDA has been tested. However, the resilience and passion found in every volunteer, staff member and participant is inspirational, and the horses make every challenge worth it
Sandra Sexton / Role – Treasurer
I have been volunteering at APRDA for approximately 10 years, with some down time intermittently.
I joined the committee during 2000 as Treasurer to APRDA.
The main reason I joined the committee was because I wanted to help make a difference to both riders and horses at the facility.
Roles I have had at APRDA include volunteering with horse leading, side-walking, assisting in emergency dismount procedures, stable assistance and other roles as required/requested of me during my time at RDA.
I have a background in aviation and the law, as well as administrative experience.
My interests include riding (when I was younger), and now being retired, volunteering, reading, and politics/current affairs.
My skill set is, as well as that mentioned above, a degree in Business, degree in Law, and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
Jayne Whelan / Role – General Member
My name is Jayne Whelan and 2021 marks my 13th year of volunteering at Arundel Park. Born in England, I moved to Sydney NSW when I was 12 years old then to the Gold Coast 20 years ago with my husband and my two children.
I am a registered nurse currently working in the Special Care Nursery at the Gold Coast University Hospital.
I have always loved horses and have had the privilege of owning two.
I am currently responsible for our recycling efforts at Arundel Park and am really enjoying watching it grow.
Leone Gye-Collishaw / Role – General Member
My introduction to APRDA was in 2011 with vocational placement while studying Community Services at Ashmore Tafe. I held the position of Committee President between 2013 and 2018 and with all its challenges it was a wonderful journey that has been shared and supported by many people. Since stepping down as committee president, due to accepting the role of Center Manager, I have taken on a role as a general committee member.
Lesley Lewis / Role- General Member
I first became involved in APRDA when i came over to help present a sponsorship cheque from the Southport Flying Club. That led to my becoming a volunteer sidewalker for the last several years.
As i had little to do with horses, but heaps to do with kids of all shapes and sizes during my career teaching in PNG, this was the most suitable job for me.
This year I joined our committee and hope to make a small contribution to this worthy organisation.
Rebecca Coleiro / Role – General Member
Rebecca has a background as a long term bureaucrat working across the three levels of government in the Health, Community Services and Justice portfolios. Extensive management experience has been complemented by training as a Community Development Worker and with working in community focused programs. After a move from Victoria, Rebecca has worked on the Gold Coast as the Gold Coast Elder Abuse Prevention Worker and the Eagleby Transport Development Worker. Then working as the Manager of the Gold Coast Mobility Office (Volunteering Gold Coast) working with the public and paid & volunteer drivers. After that Rebecca worked with Drake International in a range of short term contracts at Gold Coast Council in administration roles. Rebecca’s last role before retiring in March 2019 was with the Southport Chamber of Commerce undertaking all of the administration of the Chamber – membership services, finance, event planning & execution, funding applications and Board of Management support.
John Gumley / Role- General Member
Hi, my name is John and I was born in the Southport Hospital in March 1952. I attended school at Southport Primary and Southport High schools. Most of my employment career was as a civilian member of the Queensland Police Service based at Southport and later at Broadbeach police stations. I also worked at part time jobs including, service station attendant, supermarket store man, restaurant cook and harness racing stable hand.
I joined APRDA as a volunteer in February 2019 and then became a member of the committee this year. My reason for joining the committee is to further my knowledge of the working processes of the APRDA and assist where I may be best suited.
preparation of horses (grooming), assisting coaches with clients learning ground work skills and also with the ASDAN program and to a lesser degree with the carriage driving My main roles at APRDA have involved the areas of: horse leader, side walker, stable program.
My background includes having had horses through pony club, harness racing and onto thoroughbreds.
I’d have to say my main interests and skills involve horse activities, fishing and travel.
I enjoy planning my holidays nearly as much as actually taking them, but not quite.
I’d have to add that there are times when I’m doing a paddock cleaning (poo pickup) and it’s just me and a couple of horses that it’s quietly refreshing.
Being a member of the APRDA crew is also very sociable when enjoying a morning tea break with other volunteers and staff.
Christine Baxter / Role- General Member