Call Centre

When I first heard of the EI outbreak a month ago, I knew it was going to really affect us for months” declared Karen Tinney, wife of Sydney Eventing Team Gold Medalist, Stuart. “Not long after the outbreak I was speaking to Judy Fasher, who told me of the NSW ‘call centre’ initiative’ to help all that derive an income from horses to apply for funding from The Commercial Horse Assistance Payment (CHAP) scheme . Our business had stopped in its tracks. Do you need people, I asked, well I’m applying. So now, and for the next three months I am working nine to five to answer EI related questions and help people organise their claims for assistance from the 45 million dollar government grant. EI has just been devastating for so many people.

“The claim forms have only just become available and until next week, when a 1800 number will be established, we can be contacted at the NSW EFA on 02 9 6202 600, or the forms and information can be downloaded from the NSW EFA website, http://www.efansw.com.au/ CHAP is different from the Business Assistance Grant and the Hardship Grant, in that it relates directly to the number of horses involved in the business. We are there to try and help people get thought this.

“Even thought we were strict with out bio-security, EI arrived at home last Friday (21st). We have 22 horses and all bar two, that were vaccinated last October, have the flu. While I am at the call centre, Stuart is at home looking after the horses, our two daughters and doing all the housework. Our long time groom, Amy is on leave and we have a student to help, but it is full on for him.

“EI has certainly delayed everyone’s Olympic preparation, as even if you do not get the flu, Sydney and Adelaide are cancelled. Vettori (that has flu) has already qualified for the Games, but we have three other horses we are hoping to qualify, and I know other people have less experienced horses that were looking to get qualified at Adelaide. So now we will look forward to the Sydney 3DE, rescheduled for next April and Melbourne in June.

“The horses will all be turned out for a month to get over the flu and then we will start working them again. I think the only way to stop this happening again is mandatory vaccination, as from an Olympic viewpoint, we would not want another outbreak next April”.