“We thank The Hon. Robert Borsak MLC, member for the Shooters, Fisher’s and Farmer’s Party who invited us to NSW Parliament. Mr Borsak support of our project for the conservation and protection of Rhinos in South Africa is appreciated!”
In March 2020 two Members of the 7th Light Horse Troop Gundagai will travel to South Africa to assist in the Training of the Care for Wild Mounted Anti- Poaching Unit. Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary is located on a beautiful game reserve in the heartland of Mpumalanga, South Africa, where they have set up a treatment and care center. This is where they tend to injured or orphaned Rhinos until they are well enough to be rehabilitated into the wild.
Once rehabilitated the Rhinos are release into secure free-ranging, protected sanctuaries across Africa. The protection of the Rhinos is carried out by local rangers. As part of the anti-poaching strategy Care for Wild use a horse mounted unit. However, these mounted units need training in horse care, horse tack, riding and mounted patrol techniques.
The 7th Light Horse – Gundagai Troop has been requested by Care for Wild to help with their Anti-Poaching Mounted Unit. Our Volunteer members will play a training role. We will participate in Ranger Recruit Training for the Mounted Unit. This would include the training of both Rangers and Horses so as they can be deployed into the field.
This project will allow our Troop to walk in the footsteps of our forefathers. The 7th can trace its Regimental Linage back to the 1st Australian Horse which was founded at Harden-Murrumburrah in 1895. Gundagai formed a Troop as part of that historical sign up day. The 1st Australian Horse was later deployed to South Africa during the Boer War. Of note the first “Australian” killed in South Africa was Sergeant Major George Griffin from the 1st Australian Horse. His name is on the Cenotaph at Gundagai Boer War Memorial. Whilst there we will be training the Rangers in techniques used by the Australian Light Horse in WWI. This is significant for our Troop as we are not only lending a hand to a worthy cause in protecting an endangered species, we will be again bringing to life the Tradition of the Australian Light Horse in the field.
Our members are Volunteers and are currently raising monies to help offset the costs of travel and equipment. We currently have a GoFundMe Campaign but would gratefully accept any donations for our fundraising activities. For further information contact Wes Leseberg, President of the 7th Light Horse Gundagai Troop.
