Congratulations to Maldon Pony Club, who have been announced as recipients of a grant that they will use to run a Confidence and Connection Camp later in the year. They were awarded as part of efforts to encourage participation, strengthen leadership capacity and pay tribute to the role of women and girls in community recreation and sport. The club expressed gratitude while pointing out that these are qualities it already strives to achieve.

“Here is a female dominated club that is building these young riders,” said Committee Member Meg Berryman. She said the funding would help the club continue its activities to foster inclusion, community, mentorship and camaraderie. The Pony Club acts as a protective factor, Ms Berryman explained, as riders grow up and face new challenges with peer groups and mental health. “We’re trying to be inclusive and supportive, with whatever they are going through,” she said. “With this new cohort of younger riders, we’re sort of wrapping around them and supporting them.”

The Confidence and Connection Camp, which will take place in November, is a chance to get everyone from the club together, forge friendship bonds and strengthen the club community. The Tarrangower Times cover photo illustrates the environment: girls working together and facing big challenges. “It’s a hard sport and they work so hard,” Ms Berryman said proudly, saying she was happy to see some investment in the riders and what they are already doing as a club. “We’re not changing our game.”

The funding was awarded through the State Government’s funding Change Our Game Community Activation Grants Program, which awarded 130 grants of up to $10,000 to groups across Victoria, aimed at fostering women in recreation and sport. For any queries about becoming involved in Maldon Pony Club, email: maldonpcsecretary@gmail.com.

This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 27 June 2025.