Tribute to the late Tom Clear 9/9/1919 - 25/1/2006
By Brian Luton
It is an honour and a privilege to be asked to say a few words about Tom.
I have known Tom and his family for over 50 years, going to infant and primary school with Toni and riding down Toms Crescent and the streets of Ainslie on our ponies.
It was then that Tom and Fay, along with a number of other people, decided that we needed a place to ride, so in May 1959 the Canberra Riding Club was formed. Prior to obtaining the lease in it's present site in 1960 the club was already in full swing, with sports days held in Pialligo then known as Fyshwick, two gymkhanas at Queanbeyan, one in conjunction with Apex and at other times they would meet at the Acton flats which is now submerged beneath Lake Burley Griffin.
The first office bearers elected at the inaugural meeting in May 1959 were Dr Clive Sands (President) Fay Clear (Secretary and Public Officer) Perc Allan (Treasurer) Colonel Thomas and Tom Clear (Vice Presidents).
Tom was elected with several other members for the task of drawing up the constitution. After being accepted by the Registrar of Companies, the Canberra Riding Club duly became an incorporated company in October 1959.
Tom also made two trips to Sydney at his own expense to have the Canberra Riding Club affiliated with the Pony Club Association of NSW and had the club colours (yellow shirts and green ties) accepted at the same time.
To obtain the present grounds many letters were written to both the National Capital Development Commission and the Department of Interior resulting in long and exhausting interviews by Dr Sands and Tom.
Tom being Tom, seemed to always have a politician in his back pocket and eventually four sites were offered, one near the Drive-In Theatre Watson, one at the old Red Hill Quarry, one between Black Mountain and Coppins Crossing and the present site in Dunsmore Street Lyneham.
Then to boost the funds so the club could make the first advance payment on the lease, Tom organised a very successful woolshed dance at Bill and Ida Ginns property "Dungarvon" assisted by Colonel Thomas, Les and Pearl Hawke and other club members resulting in a profit of 163 pounds 10 shillings and 9 pence or as we say today $327.00. Tom later organised another two successful dances at the same venue.
When the Canberra Riding Club took over the grounds it was heavily infested with giant thistles which resulted in much hard work by many enthusiastic and energetic members, mowing the thistles finally eradicated them. Tom did this work with his own tractor and mower for three seasons over approximately forty acres, a time consuming task to say the least. On one occasion golfers at Yowani (then a new treeless area) complained about his tractor lights interfering with their night practice and the police arrived to question Tom.
Tom also donated free to the club their first set of show jumps and cavalettis.
Tom was a member of the Agricultural Society for many years and was elected onto the Council in 1964 and worked as a horse steward until 1969.
Tom, along with Ed and Margaret Wheatley, formed the Canberra Polocrosse Club and through this association held a number of pony club camps at John Gale's Property "Huntley".
Tom was responsible for polocrosse being played at the Royal Canberra Show and was a patron of the Southern Highlands Polocrosse Sub Association Inc. and also a patron of the Canberra Royals Polocrosse Club.
I could carry on with Tom's achievements as there were so many, especially within the pony club.
Tom had an amazing organising ability and his attendance at working bees made a huge contribution to the formation of the Canberra Riding Club.
He was awarded honorary life membership of the club in 1979 in recognition of his outstanding contribution over many years for which the club will be forever grateful.
We will miss you Tom.
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STATE NEWS
NATIONAL INSURANCE PROGRAM 31st December 2005 - 31st December 2006
Following is a rundown of coverage under the PAA insurance policy.
Death Cover
$100,000
Accident Cover
75% of weekly earnings to a max. of $600 per week
Non MedicareMedical Expenses**
85% of such expenses, subject to a max. of $5,000
Ambulance Service Expenses
$2,500
Student Assistance Expenses
$300 per week subject to a max. of $15,000
Home HelpExpenses
$300 per week subject to a max. of $15,000
Parent Inconvenience Expenses
$2,000
Rehabilitation
$15,000
Funeral Costs
$5,000
Home and/or MV Modification
$50,000
There are also various lump sum benefits - for details please contact your Club Secretary.
** MEDICARE expenses (including the gap) cannot be claimed under this policy, as it is unlawful to do so. ONLY NON-MEDICARE EXPENSES MAY BE CLAIMED.
INJURY CLAIMS PROCEDURE
All claims must be reported as soon as practical following the event - Failure to do so may enable the Underwriter to reduce or avoid any liability incurred.
Claim forms are available from your Club Secretary.
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ZONE NEWS
Zone Coaching Weekend 11 & 12 February 2006
Venue was Sunny Corner polocrosse fields at Hall. It was a very good turnout with 59 members participating - 11 sub juniors, 10 juniors and 38 adults.
On Saturday morning the basic moves were covered:
How to pick up and throw a ball
Line ups
Penalty Throws - 10 meters
Throw goals and pass in and out of area
Flat Work
Saturday afternoon:
Specialised 1, 2, 3 tuition
Set routines on defence and attacking moves
Exercises on horses to accustom them to being around other horses
Sunday:
Play chukkas in groups of similar gradings to utilise skills learnt on Saturday.
Coaches for the weekend were Greg Davidge, Michael Gorman, Brett Hart, Steve Harris, Vicki Harris, Bruce Greenslade, Garry Hallam and Assistant Coaches - Cathy Bennett, Ann Anderson, Jenny Edwards and Toni Davidge.
A big thankyou from me for a great coaching job. Another thankyou to the Hall Polocrosse Club for the use of the grounds. Also for the great job they did in the canteen all weekend.
A special thankyou to Kevin Tyler for his help marking the fields all weekend and for the use of his 4-wheel motorbike.
I hope everybody learnt something.
Michael Woods Southern Highlands Coaching Director
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*** NOTICE ***
CHANGE OF DATE FOR ZONE CARNIVAL
The date of the Southern Highlands Zone Carnival has been changed to the weekend of 27-28 May 2006 at Hall grounds.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congratulations to Belinda Hallam and Wes Cosgrove on their engagement. Absence obviously made the heart grow fonder as Belinda tells me that Wes proposed to her on her return from Canada on 22nd July!! Isn't it wonderful to hear good news for a change.
Australia 
