ALWYNE Roach is a recipient of the WA Volunteer Service Award 2024, recognising her impact over 36 years, on the lives of hundreds of people with disability and her leadership of hundreds of volunteers.

For the last twenty years, Alwyne has been the head coach and hippotherapy horse handler at HorsePower Swan Valley and now at HorsePower Hills.

She first volunteered at Riding for the Disabled Carine and Riding for the Disabled Capricorn and with several pony clubs in the late 1980s.

“Alwyne is responsible for the well-being of horses, riders and volunteers, and leads the horses while the little riders have a hippotherapy session with a physiotherapist,” HorsePower Hills secretary Lynn Fisher said.

“By training and supporting other HorsePower volunteers during the hippotherapy session she ensures they have an enjoyable, rewarding and safe experience,” she said.

Alwyne transports horses by float to the riding centre every week, continuously training them to ensure they are in top mental condition, and also liaises with equestrian professionals like the vet and farrier to ensure the horses’ top physical health.

Vice president of HorsePower Australia Willie Warnock presented Alwyne with her award at a celebratory event held at the HorsePower Hills Hippotherapy Centre.