By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
THE only thing Ezmeralda Gulian might love more than volunteering is spending time with horses.
It seems fitting, then, that Ezmeralda from Doveton was announced this month as the Young Volunteer of the Year runner-up in the State Government’s 2014 Community Sport and Recreation Awards because of her work with the Doveton Riding for Disabled Centre.
It comes after the 15-year-old had already won the 2014 Riding for the Disabled Association of Victoria Young Volunteer Award.
Ezmeralda joined the Doveton Riding for Disabled Centre when she was 12 and was one of the youngest people volunteering there at the time.
Mum Annamaria said her daughter’s commitment to the centre had been unwavering since she started volunteering at the facility three years ago.
“She has horse experience, my children ride. She’s very good around horses and making them comfortable, high spirited little things that they can be,” she said.
“She tacks up the horses, cleans up the horses and helps as a side walker.”
Annamaria also said her own involvement with children with additional needs had seemingly inspired Ezmeralda.
“The first thing was to give back to the community, that’s how this started. It’s become a part of her life, really,” he said.
“I’ve always worked with children with additional needs, they love horses. And it was about finding something where I felt comfortable leaving Ezmeralda.
“She’s dealing with adults and children and I hope this will show her how fortunate we are. If she gets that out of it we’ve done our job.”
Ezmeralda said the award nomination came as a shock, but a welcome one.
“I was a bit nervous and really excited as well,” she said.
“I’m one of the youngest that work there and I know a lot about the horses already and was able to help out a lot.
“They didn’t need to teach me the basics because I ride elsewhere; I was really good with the riders and horses.”
The 2014 Community Sport and Recreation Awards were held on Wednesday 1 October at the MCG and recognised a range of the state’s best volunteers across eight categories.
