Scott Brodie
Scott is the Director of Horse Aid. A former NSW Mounted Police horse trainer, he is a classically trained rider and qualified instructor with the Equestrian Federation of Australia.
He has trained under many Olympic and world-class instructors, and has schooled horses from break-in to the Grand Prix movements in dressage.
He is an advocate and accomplished practitioner of ‘Natural Horsemanship’ techniques, and has a unique spin on the retraining of retired racehorses. His systematic approach to this often difficult and dangerous endeavour ensures the smoothest and fairest transition for the horse from racing machine to a pleasurable riding partner.
He has successfully created a hands-on experiential program of equine assisted therapy for inmates and staff at several prisons in NSW. He also runs the Scott Brodie Thoroughbred Aftercare and Retraining Centre, and has personally overseen the retraining and rehoming of hundreds of ex-racehorses.
Mel Baker
After serving in the Police Force in NSW and New Zealand, Mel decided to join the Australian Navy at 41. While in the navy, she was subjected to extreme abuse, was medically discharged with PTSD, depression and anxiety, and became homeless.
Through her work with the Thoroughbred and Veteran Welfare Alliance from 2015, she has regained her confidence and sense of purpose, and in 2019 published her book Painting Beauty with the Ashes and the prequel story of Scott’s work in Conflict to Hope.
Unfortunately, the stress and trauma that mounted over the years caused Mel’s physical health to deteriorate and she could no longer continue with the horses. Instead, she has given many hours to help behind the scenes with Scott and also helped Nick Barkla as his Associate Producer. Mel has gone on to produce her own award-winning short film about her younger life story.
Max Streeter
Max joined the army in 1983 at the age of 16, initially with the 2/14th Light Horse in Queensland. In 1984 he transferred to the regular army Medical Corps, where he served for 6 years. In 1990 he was selected to join the Australian Federal Police.
As a Federal Agent he worked in Drug Operations and Security Intelligence.
It was during this time he was seconded to the United Nations, serving in the Middle East and East Timor. Two years after his service in Timor, he was medically retired. For many years he felt lost, struggling with depression and the loss of identity. In 2014, he attended a horsemanship course run by Scott Brodie, which proved to be a life-changing experience. Today Max spends his time volunteering to help other veterans discover the healing that only horses can give.
Sam North
Sam joined the Australian Army after working for several years as a butcher in Queensland. He is a father of three children, and after leaving the army he found himself homeless and estranged from his family. After completing a horsemanship course with Scott Brodie, he returned to being a butcher and has moved back to Brisbane to be near his children.
Georgina Edwards
Georgina joined the Royal Australian Navy in October 1996 at the age of 17. She served on board H.M.A.S Canberra straight after training and was medically discharged in March 2000, after suffering a serious back injury.
After the military she worked in several sales and computer jobs before becoming an Army Cadet Officer in 2004. Her back injury eventually became unmanageable and she left the Australian Army Cadets in 2009. She was then diagnosed with PTSD, major depressive disorder and chronic pain syndrome. In 2017 she successfully competed in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race with the Veterans Invictus sailing team, and she has been volunteering with the Thoroughbred and Veteran Welfare Alliance since 2015, now Horse Aid
Isaac Adams
Isaac joined the Australian Army at age 18. He served for five and a half years in Surveillance and Target Acquisition – Royal Australian Artillery. Voluntarily discharged from the army. After discharging he worked at various jobs including construction planning, truck driving, plant operating, and as a stockman.
Isaac’s journey into horsemanship began when he bought a horse (Koda) in 2016, he was put in touch with trainer, Scott Brodie, who taught him horsemanship fundamentals. Isaac, utilised lessons in horsemanship to learn from his experiences from deployment in Afghanistan. During his learning journey of horsemanship he began a Facebook page ‘Healing with Horsemanship’ to share his learning experiences.
In 2021, Isaac and his wife Tempany, bought a property in Atkinsons Dam, QLD, where they set up space for Healing with Horsemanship to become a reality. They now share their animals and horses with people in the community to promote learning opportunities and professional development.
Rick White
