For her dedicated service to the lives of children with disabilities, Rina Hore was last night designated a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
The Rotary Foundation’s highest honour, the presentation of a Paul Harris Fellow is an expression of appreciation for substantial contribution to humanitarian and educational programs.
Rina – who was nominated for the Fellowship by The Bowral Dream Cricket Committee – has worked tirelessly to utilise sport as a means to promote inclusivity, as well as engaging and inspiring young people with disabilities.
Collaborating with Dream Cricket since 2008, Rina has utilised her role as Executive Director of the Bradman Foundation to ensure primary school children with disabilities have had the opportunity to play cricket on Bradman Oval.
Established by Dr Roly Bigg of the Movement Disorder Foundation, Dream Cricket’s vision is “to grow and develop self-esteem and inspire confidence in children.” A noble ambition, it has grown to encompass schools and students throughout Australia and overseas – thanks in large part to Rina’s fervent dedication.
In last night’s official citation, Rina’s contribution to the growth of Dream Cricket was duly recognised:
“Rina has provided Dream Cricket with a link to Cricket NSW and through them to other groups… such as the Primary Club, the Blind Cricket Association and Variety NSW.
“She established and coordinated meetings with Cricket Australia.”
In addition, Rina developed Dream Cricket Gala Days at Bradman Oval, involving the likes of former Prime Minister, John Howard and former Australian captain, Steve Waugh. Setting an impressive precedent, the citation recognised that she helped take the program to new heights:
“It was because of Rina that the Dream Cricket days at Bowral became the model for the rest of Australia to follow… Members from different states could first participate in the Gala Day and see the potential for their local area.”
Rina receiving the award last night overlooking Bradman Oval
Acutely aware that the Bradman Foundation had a unique opportunity and inspired by the Foundation’s vision to use cricket for “the education and advancement of youth,” Rina instituted a partnership with the Kollege of Knowledge Kommittee for Kids (The 4K’s) in 2016, to run Coverdrive at Bradman Oval.
A multi-sport program that affords local high school students with disabilities the chance to learn and thrive through sport, Coverdrive works with the support units of Bowral and Moss Vale High Schools to ensure that local students can maintain a connection with sport right through their time at school. Now engaging in excess of 70 students on a weekly basis, Rina is suitably proud of the Coverdrive Program:
“There was an opportunity for us to address a need in the community – so we jumped at it,” she said. “It is a community program where the Bradman Foundation can utilise its people and facilities to give back.”
Rina has been a unifying and inspirational force in the community throughout her time as Executive Director of the Bradman Foundation. Her devotion to cricket at all levels – especially her work to develop the skills and passion of children with disabilities is particularly heartening and we congratulate her on her receipt of the Paul Harris Fellowship.
Rina will begin a period of long-service leave as of Tuesday February 8th after more than 19 years associated with the Bradman Foundation and Museum.
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