Retired pharmacists recognised with Queen’s Service Medals

Photo: Margaret Bradding QSM and Bevan Bradding QSM with Ace, the first Hamilton Group RDA horse which they helped buy.  
Photo credit: Sharon Limmer. Additional reporting: Peter Tiffany, Hamilton News

Bevan and Margaret Bradding, retired pharmacists from Hamilton, both received the Queen’s Service Medal for services to the community as part of the Queen’s birthday honours.

The couple were recognised for their work with the Hamilton Group Riding for the Disabled (RDA), which they helped establish in 2004.

Mrs Bradding and her husband Bevan purchased the first horse for the Hamilton Group RDA and the couple continue to volunteer with RDA two days a week, helping in a range of ways.

Margaret also assisted the Hamilton Group RDA’s then Head Coach to attend the first New Zealand Para-Equestrian championships in 2010.

She was also a Dressage Judge for Dressage New Zealand for more than 20 years, being awarded New Zealand Dressage Judge of the Year in 2007.

In 2013, Mr Bradding received a Civic Award from the Hamilton City Council for his various contributions to the community. These included his involvement in the East Hamilton Lions Club from 1972 to 2002, where he coordinated the Lions Club’s cancer telephone appeal.

"We used to run the pharmacy at Glenview in Hamilton - opposite Collins Rd,” says Mr Bradding.

"When we retired and became townies we wanted to keep our interest in horses, especially Margaret who has had a life-long interest in horses, so RDA it was, because when madam says jump I just ask how high," he said.

Like the Braddings, the Hamilton Group RDA is still going strong and with around 130 participants each week is the largest such group in the country.

Even the group's first horse - named Ace - is still working at the centre in Pukete, although he’s “getting on a bit” these days.