ONKAPARINGA GLADE

Onkaparinga Glade nature, learning and growth

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Board Member Recruitment 2025

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About Onkaparinga Glade

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Onkaparinga Glade is a unique, nature-based, social and emotional learning community proposed within the southern suburbs of Adelaide. Set within the Onkaparinga Hills region on Kaurna Country, we bring together horses, horticulture, hands-on learning, and emotional and social learning to support children, young people, adults and families. The Onkaparinga Glade will be the first of its kind in South Australia, modelled on farm schools that are established around the world, bringing a much needed educational facility to south Adelaide.

 

The impact of Equine Led Social and Emotional learning has already been verified by schools across south Adelaide with positive outcomes for clients and feedback from schools.:

 

“I had the privilege of attending one of the Equine Led Social and Emotional learning sessions last Friday, and I was genuinely moved by the experience. It was incredibly powerful to witness some of our most vulnerable and marginalised students engaging so deeply in a session that fostered personal growth, confidence, joy, and vital emotional skills. The impact was profound and, to be honest, brought tears to my eyes”. Wellbeing Leader Adelaide secondary school

 

We are at an exciting founding stage — establishing our incorporated entity, building our board, and working to open our gates to the community. This is a rare opportunity to help shape something meaningful from the ground up.

 

What We Do

 

• Partnerships with schools, youth services, women’s services and family support organisations across the Onkaparinga region

• Equine Led Social and Emotional Learning Programmes for children, young people and adults

• Nature based learning

• Introduction to Horticulture, Landscaping and Animal Husbandry with pathways to further study

• Rewilding, regeneration of land to native bush

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At a Glance

 

Legal status: Incorporated Association (Onkaparinga Glade Inc)

Location: Onkaparinga Hills, South Australia

Stage: Founding — pre-operational

Board size: Seeking 4–6 founding directors

Meeting frequency: Monthly (approx.)

Remuneration: Voluntary

Roles We Are Seeking

 

Chair

Strategic leadership; facilitates board meetings; external representation and relationship-building.

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Treasurer

Financial oversight; budgeting and reporting; supports grant acquittals and compliance.

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Secretary

Governance and records; meeting minutes; correspondence and statutory obligations.

 

Community Director

Connection to local families, schools and services; community voice on the board.

 

Fundraising Director

Grant strategy; donor and partner relationships; event fundraising.

 

Skills and Experience We Are Looking For

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We welcome applications from people with experience in any of the following areas. You do not need to tick every box — lived experience, community connection and passion for our mission are equally valued.

• Education, Wellbeing, community services

• Understanding of the impact of trauma and challenges of vulnerable young people and adults accessing mainstream services

• Horticulture, Landscaping, Animal Husbandry and Environmental sustainability

• Equine industries, animal-assisted therapies or outdoor education

• Fundraising, philanthropy or community fundraising

• Marketing, communications or stakeholder engagement

• Connection to Kaurna Country and First Nations communities

• Governance, law or corporate compliance

• Finance, accounting or grant management

 

Why Join Our Board?

• Help build something new — Onkaparinga Glade is unique and at its founding stage, board members will shape its future

• Make a genuine difference to children, young people and adults in Adelaide’s south

• Contribute your skills in a supportive, values-led environment

• Grow your governance experience and professional network

• Be part of a community of people who believe in the importance of Social and Emotional learning and the healing power of nature

 

How to Apply

We would love to hear from you. Please send a brief expression of interest — no more than one page — telling us about yourself, why Onkaparinga Glade resonates with you, and what you would bring to the board.

 

Send your expression of interest to:

Email:  jo@wayofthehorsecoaching.com  Phone:  0434 201 106         Applications close:  TBC

We are committed to building a board that reflects the diversity of our community. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations people, people with lived experience of disadvantage, and people from all backgrounds.

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Onkaparinga Glade |  Onkaparinga Hills, South Australia  |  nature, learning and growth