Madison Bridge, 20, has been helping out at the northern Illawarra tourist attraction Darkes Forest Riding Ranch at weekends and school holidays for the past four years and among her recent students was Bryce Dinsdale, 9, of Engadine.
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Bryce said he loved learning how to ride and was recently taught how to crack a whip.
For $125 parents can hire a horse at Darkes Forest for a child at 8.30am for a group lesson and trail ride, morning tea and lunch, concluding with the presentation of a certificate at 3.30pm.
The day camps cater for children of all abilities, and for children with less experience she helps run half-day pony play camps for those aged between five and seven for $80.
Further information about activities at the business run by Julie Read are at www.horseridingnsw.net.au with bookings on 4294 3441.
Folk festival talent
The 30th Illawarra Folk Festival runs from January 15 to 18 at Bulli Showground.
More than 700 performers and 180 acts are expected from around the world.
Four-day season passes are available until midnight Friday for $145, see illawarrafolkfestival.com.au.
Safety for children
Safe4Kids founder Holly-Ann Martin is training teachers at Albion Park Rail, Barrack Heights, Balarang and Warilla North, before running a parents' workshop at Barrack Heights on February 2.
She is also doing a free parents' educational workshop for a mothers' group at the Lagoon Seafood Restaurant on February 3 from 10am until 12.30pm. It is to give parents knowledge to keep children safe.
New appointments
Jason Saladino is the new manager of corporate sales within St George Illawarra Dragons partnerships department, and former player Shaun Timmins is the new corporate sales officer.
Tribute to volunteer
Illawarra Cancer Carers Banquet at the Beach raised $256,000 toward a Co2 laser for head and neck surgery at Wollongong Hospital.
Tribute was also paid to former chairman Keith Wilson who held the role for 15 years.
The 2015 Banquet at the Beach at City Beach Function Centre is on June 21.
Wrestling heroes
Ben Coles (aka Iron Jay) and his Super Wrestling Heroes raised $2700 for Kidzwish's Grant a Local Kidzwish Campaign (grantalocalkidzwish.org.au/team/team-402) in 2014.
Super Wrestling Heroes held a free Dapto Dogs Disco Party at the Dapto Greyhound Racing Club last Thursday night, and on Saturday January 17 are running an Illawarra School Holiday Disco at Dapto Ribbonwood Centre from 5pm to 7.15pm.
Tickets $10 at door with a pre-sale special available for $8 each in advance, and three for $20.
It is free entry for parents and further information is available at superwrestlingheroes.com.au/ store or on 0401 543 035.
Jobs in accounting
Hays Recruiting has accounting contractor positions available immediately in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven for temporary contract candidates with significant experience.
The positions are for a finance officer, accounts payable officer, accounts receivable officer and accountant/finance manager.
Further information on 4222 0100.
Lagoons kiosk open
Lagoon Restaurant's new deck bar and kiosk is now open.
It features a fully licensed bar on the western side of the restaurant and during the school holidays it has burgers, coffee, beer and wine available from 10am until late on weekdays and from 9am on weekends.
A takeaway food service is also available.
Citizens ceremony
Dapto Rotary is re-introducing an annual citizenship ceremony on January 27.
Club member Peter Abba said it used to be an annual event with the club many years ago and Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbury had accepted an invitation to perform the ceremony.
Mr Abba said he had also been in contact with the Immigration Department which was happy to co-ordinate all aspects of the ceremony.
But the club had also encouraged members of the community to put names forward.
Race day winner
The Rotary Club of Illawarra Sunrise annual Charity Race Day at Kembla Grange Racecourse late in 2014 was another success.
Nearly 400 people helped raise close to $21,000 for the Rotary Foundation, the Club's Philippines Aid Project, Rotary Youth Projects and to continuing funding an Autism PHD Scholarship.
Chamber committee
Corrimal Chamber of Commerce 2015 president is Paul Boultwood, vice president Karen Lepard, treasurer Tracey Farrugia, marketing/events director Claire Roberts, secretary Gayle Russell, Corrimal redevelopment director Robert Poscoliero and digital media director Aiden Cole.
Committee: Louise Beaton, Jessie Hughes, Ian Stevens, Mitchell Woellner, Crystal Woods.
