Providing a family-friendly space for working horse and dog activities, the Dayboro Working Horse and Dog Committee (DWHDC) is home to some of the best facilities in Southeast Queensland. Recently, the organisation applied for a Community Bank Samford grant to fund a tractor to ensure these facilities remain at an excellent standard to run events.
“The Community Bank Samford grant has enabled the Dayboro Working Horse and Dog Committee to purchase a tractor and we are so grateful. DWHDC is a not-for-profit sporting organisation and making a large purchase like a tractor not feasible without a grant,” the club said.
“We can now take care of the sand arena surface at Dayboro Showground for our club members and other community groups and individuals who use the facility.”
This maintenance is essential for the safety and performance of both riders and horses and bolsters the club’s capacity to meet several of its vision statements including providing active, strong, sustainable and resilient operations; being an organiser of events valued by the equine industry; and being a valued contributor to the local Dayboro community and Moreton Bay region.
“A properly maintained arena provides a reliable surface, reduces dust, and minimises the risk of injuries. The tractor is essential for these activities especially with the weather events we experience and the damage that rain events can do to the surface, let alone the size of the area to be maintained,” the club said.
“Also, we try to keep costs to a minimum for all our club members and this purchase means we don’t have to add tractor hire costs to our regular activities.”
The Dayboro Rodeo Arena is a large space to maintain, but the tractor’s usefulness is not limited to dragging the ground.
The strength of the tractor allows the club to move and place fence panels, making it easy to build temporary fences for competitions and training days. This is welcome news to volunteers and members, reducing manual labour requirements and creating more time for those involved in the friendly club to work with their beloved animals.