35th Anniversary Presentation & AGM
A very successful AGM was held on Sat 29th March at the Riddells Creek Hotel where Janet McBain and Alison Charlton were presented with Appreciation Awards for their initiative in beginning the New Forest Pony Society of Australia, our original group in 1973.
Image Gallery - Click on an image for a larger preview
Wendy James, longtime member and office bearer of the NFPSofA shared fond memories of her introduction to the New Forest ponies and her gratitude for the help shown by both Jan and Alison in those early years.
Members of the NFPOB felt that Jan and Alisons interest in the breed and the partnership they formed to import New Forest ponies was responsible for the breed being established in Australia to the extent that it is today.
It was a wonderful chance for those newer to the breed to have some insights into those early days as we heard very touching stories and shared some great laughs.
Jan and Alison had no knowledge of the plan to present them with Appreciation Awards and were caught by surprise.
There might even have been a damp eye spotted in the house!
The secretary had been fortunate to come across an old photo of Alison and Jan leading their first import, the New Forest stallion Broadlands Bright Seraphin upon his arrival in Australia by boat from England.
Poor Seraph is not looking at his best in long winter coat straight from an English winter to an Australian summer but looking back from 2008 this photo holds great significance for the development of the breed from then on.