Eurobodalla’s three Rotary Clubs and Moruya Jockey Club presented Muddy Puddles Inc with $20,000 in Moruya on Wednesday. The funds were the proceeds from two race days, including the Rotary Christmas Race Day on 23 December, and raffles.
Moruya Jockey Club President Peter Atkinson said the Race Days show that the two local organisations, Rotary and the Jockey Club can work together to deliver wonderful outcomes.
“Our combined efforts have not only raised much needed funds for a very worthy cause, they have also raised awareness in our community of the wonderful work done by Muddy Puddles.”
Muddy Puddles provides therapy, development programmes and individual support to children and young people with a disability across the Eurobodalla Shire.
These funds will support Muddy Puddles’ Jump Up programme this year which provides young children not currently funded with immediate access to fully qualified therapists and educators, and supports families in accessing the services they need.
Rotary Race Day Committee chairman David Ashford said this was the sixth Rotary Race Day.
“In that time we have raised $119,000 that has also supported the Oncology Unit at Moruya Hospital, installed 12 defibrillators across the shire and made donations to the Shire’s four surf clubs.”
Mr Ashford paid tribute to Moruya Jockey Club, to the ongoing enthusiasm and hard work of the Race Day committee, and to the willing volunteers from Rotary, their partners and friends, and from Muddy Puddles.
He also thanked the raffle and race sponsors. “‘We cannot complete these events without everyone’s help and support,” he said.
Muddy Puddles CEO Cate McMath thanked Rotary and Jockey Club. “We could not do what we are doing without your support and the commitment of the local community,” she said.
“That community spirit keeps Muddy Puddles going and in turn Muddy Puddles gives back to the community.”
Muddy Puddles is a not-for-profit organisation founded in 2014 by a group of concerned parents and community members who wanted more services available locally in the Eurobodalla area for children with a disability or development delay.
Ms McMath also praised Member for Bega Andrew Constance, who had earlier addressed the meeting, for his ongoing support and in accessing funding for them to build their new Therapy Centre.
Mr Constance spoke about the importance of early intervention and the huge impact on families of having someone with a disability.
Above; At the presentation of funds particularly from the Rotary Moruya Race Day were Moruya Jockey Club President Peter Atkinson, Rotary Race Day committee Chairman David Ashford and Muddy Puddles Finance Manager and a founding member of Muddy Puddles Anne Minato and CEO Cate McMath.
Above: The three Eurobodalla Rotary Clubs also celebrated Rotary International’s 114th birthday with a birthday cake cut by Moruya Rotary President Ward Hack, Batemans Bay President Alan Russell and Narooma President Rod Walker.
