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Horse council welcomes fresh faces

Written by Qld Horse Coumcil
Friday, 05 September 2008
There was no ‘horsing around’ for the Queensland Horse Council Inc. (QHC) at its annual general meeting last week as the peak industry association elected a new board of directors. Last Tuesday’s election in Brisbane saw Australian Reined Cow Horse Association Inc. board member Andrew Deacon sworn in as president, with barrister and Australian Campdraft Association Inc. councillor Harvey Walters as vice. Newly appointed QHC chief executive officer, Dr Fiona Thompson, said the board comprised a diverse group of people with a broad range of equine interests. “The members are spread throughout south east Queensland and northern Queensland, which gives a good representation of the whole state,” she said. Dr Thompson said she and the board were looking forward to working with key Federal and State stakeholders, including the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) to act on the concerns of the council’s members and horse owners at large. “There are many important issues that the board is working on including the Hendra virus, an emergency response plan and forest trail access for horse riders,” she said. The other board members elected are organisation representatives Lorraine Dekker (secretary), Debbie Dekker (treasurer), John Green, Nell Maundrell and Wayne Hingst, and individual members Linda Nielsen and Rick Morris. Dr Thompson said she was delighted with the board, which included key industry figures – including horse breeders, trainers and stud owners – who could relate to situations other horse owners could find themselves in. “It is a very exciting time for the QHC with an enthusiastic and professional board, as well as the appointment of a CEO – a position which is being funded by the DPI&F for the first six months to support the re-invigoration of the council” Dr Thompson said. The DPI&F will work with the QHC to continue to effectively inform and educate horse owners. For more information, go to the QHC website at www.qldhorsecouncil.com.