The Lions Club of Mount Gambier was recently awarded the 2022 Premier’s Community Service Social Inclusion Award.

The local club received the award for their Riding for the Disabled Outdoor Horse Mounting Platform project.

Lions Club of Mount Gambier portfolio holder for projects Brendon Hirth said the club was proud to receive the award and supporting people with disabilities was important to the club.

“It has always been in our portfolios to look after people that are unfortunate,” Mr Hirth said.

“It is prestigious to us to think that our work is appreciated.”

The project came about when the Lions Club of Mount Gambier received a request from the Mount Gambier Branch of Riding for the Disabled for an outdoor horse mounting platform.

Supporting disabled children is one of the Lions Club International mission pillars and the club immediately offered their support.

“Riding for the Disabled is a not-for-profit organisation, up until recently they have had to fund themselves, so it helps them out a little bit,” Mr Hirth said.

“They depend a lot on community help to keep it running.”

The club’s Community Projects Portfolio members identified an approved design platform and planned the project.

The team constructed the mounting platform from salt treated timber with an industrial plastic decking and Stand Like Stone provided a grant towards the materials.

The unit was installed and handed over to a delighted Riding for the Disabled Association team late last month.

“We are always busy people, and we like to give back to then people that have supported us,” Mr Hirth said.

Mr Hirth encouraged people to join the Lion’s Club as it was a great for both the town and for fellowship.

“It is not all work,” he said.

“It is mateship, really, you get a lot of friends out of it.”