The Board of the AHSA met on Thursday, 18th August, 2024, to review the current rule regarding the WWC.
This review came about following the AGM where views were expressed both for and against the current rule.
The new Board gave an undertaking that they would review the rule and invited members, via the Newsletter, to write to the Board expressing their views. After the AGM only one member took the time to submit information to the Board. This information was tabled and taken into account during the meeting and by the committee tasked with the review.
WA Director, Jill Willoughby, was tasked with looking into the relevant information from all states, as well as Federal legislation, and she has prepared a report based on her work. This report is attached and available here. Relevant links are also in Jill’s report.
Members need to be aware that the WWC is but one component of the Society’s responsibility to provide a ‘Child Safe Environment’ under the various acts. Attached are some of the documents used in the review so members can be brought up to date regarding the information the Society has relied upon.
Creating a ‘Child Safe Environment’, means not only having appropriate WWC rules in place, but also making sure that children and youth at our shows are not bullied, harassed, abused or subjected to intimidation or violence of any sort. We need to be very mindful of this, since we have families camping at our shows and events, and children and teenagers will frequent stables at night to check on horses, and we have a duty of care towards our Children and Youth.
Members also need to be aware, that it is not the Society that issues WWC’s – this is the responsibility of the relevant statuary authorities in each state, and that if someone is unable to receive one, there are usually valid reasons for this. If an applicant is refused a WWC, there are means by which they can apply for reviews, however, again, it is not the responsibility of the AHSA to issue exemptions.
Having reviewed all legislation and information provided, the new rule is:
“All Professional Riders, Handlers, Trainers and Coaches, must possess a WWC for all AHSA and Affiliated events.”
The definition is:
‘A Professional is one who, regardless of equestrian skills and/or accomplishments, in the past 3 years has directly or indirectly accepted as payment, goods or money for services usually provided by a professional in the areas of breaking, riding, training, schooling, driving, halter preparation, showing in halter or under saddle’
Directors, volunteers, stewards, judges and marshals will also need a WWC.
This was a unanimous decision by all Directors present at the Board meeting.
Members also need to be aware that this is a ‘living document’, and as such, will need to be reviewed and up-dated as legislative requirements change. For example, the current rule for Royal Agricultural Society is that ‘all exhibitors’ must possess a current WWC and show when asked. There may also be a requirement in future, for all exhibitors, or others working with them, to register at the office whilst at a show if they don’t possess a valid WWC – but that is for the future.
Along with the requirements for Professionals to have a WWC, the Board has also decided to commence a register on the Society website, of appropriately qualified professionals in the Arabian industry for members to access.
It is envisaged this would be a similar listing to our AHSA Judges Panel and the AQHA Professional Horsemen listing. This register may include contact details, WWC verification, other qualifications, and a bio and photo. More information in the next newsletter.
Those professionals who wish to have their details noted on the website are invited to send their information through to the AHSA Secretary at secretary@ahsa.asn.au.
As there has only been a minor change to include coaches, the new rule will take effect immediately.
Helen Rutland
Chair
Arabian Horse Society of Australia Ltd.
e: chair@ahsa.asn.au
Relevant Documents and Links for your information (all current at the time of publication):
