I was both saddened & horrified by the way Graeme Padgett (Padge) & Debbie Jackson of Murray River Horse Trails have been treated by Parks Victoria. Horrified because of the seemingly flippant way their tour operator license is not to be renewed beyond July 1 this year, and with no explanation.
This business pays taxes that keep these park authorities in a job. The Parks people are Public Servants, professional people who are expected to treat the taxpayers who employ them with respect and courtesy. Seriously lacking there!!
I am saddened because we have seen the joy & pride of our son & his special needs friends as they participate in Padge & Debbie’s adventure rides. Town & city based young people have a fun and meaningful education in the history, ecology & ambience of this wonderful river forest, so different from their normal brick & concrete environment.
Murray River Horse Trails is precisely the type of tourist enterprise that fits perfectly into this part of the Murray, the type of activity that people visiting ask for, seeking an authentic experience and I speak as a person who owned & operated a caravan park in the area for 23 years.
Padge & Debbie are also great volunteer custodians of the forest, cleaning up rubbish, putting out fires and they are saddened to see the damage to trees & forest tracks caused by a small “gung-ho” element that can infest this beautiful area. Parks Victoria would be doing themselves & us a great service to have this couple continue their caretaking work and the meaningful, educational experience of their horse-riding tours.
