By Max Davies
BROADFORD Golf Club’s program with Goulburn Options Disability Support Services is in full swing, with Broadford Primary School students working together with members of the support organisation to learn how to play golf and have a light-hearted hit.
The weekly golf program is an opportunity for people from Goulburn Options to get out and be active, while also improving skills such as coordination and communication.
The program has been running for more than a year but was only extended to grade six students from Broadford Primary School in the past few weeks, helping to improve community connections and build leadership skills.
Broadford Golf Club social secretary Cherie Spencer said the relationship between the students and Goulburn Options members had been encouraging.
“The interaction between the students and the participants is incredible – it’s very rewarding and Broadford Golf Club is really proud to be involved in it,” she said.
“I saw a program doing a similar thing in Europe and I wondered if there was something like it in Australia, so I did some research and we made it all happen.”
The program has received support from multiple community businesses and organisations, including Bendigo Bank with the donation of a four-seater golf buggy, and sponsorship from Kilmore Coles.
Broadford Golf Club professional Nathan Roberts coaches the program’s participants, working on improving coordination skills by hitting golf balls while still focusing on having fun.
Grade six students from Broadford Primary School have participated in the program as a trial to assist as leaders, while also fulfilling volunteer work requirements and increasing their community involvement through working with Goulburn Options.
“It’s incredible to see how the students all of a sudden click. They’re high-fiving, they’re encouraging – we only had our first [session] a couple of weeks ago and I was surprised with the very first class,” Ms Spencer said.
“I thought there might have been a bit of apprehension, but no, they were in there and just loving it. You’ll watch, they’ll high-five each other, they’ll go and have a chat – it’s just very rewarding to watch.”
Ms Spencer said the golf program was one of the most popular programs at Goulburn Options, providing an opportunity for members to leave Seymour and do something different.
“They come somewhere different, they come down in their bus on a nice day, they get outside and compete with each other and it’s surprisingly competitive, and then they have their sausage sizzle after,” she said.
“It wouldn’t happen without the continued support of the volunteers from the golf club who give up their time supporting the program.
“Each week they cook the barbecue, make biscuits, serve the lunch and help out with what is required on the day.”
The Broadford Golf Club program is not limited to only people from Goulburn Options and is open to anyone who wants to take part.
For more information, people can contact Ms Spencer on 0425 801 237.
