Pony Club Australia (PCA) is pleased to announce the election of Marylou Hodges as Chair and Carole Hodges as Secretary of the PCA Board, along with the appointment of Charlotte Mills as a Non-Executive Director, following the organisation’s first board meeting after the 2024 Annual General Meeting.
These appointments bring together a wealth of experience from across the equestrian, business, education and governance sectors, with all three directors sharing a deep commitment to the values and future of Pony Club in Australia.
Marylou Hodges – Chair
Marylou’s journey with Pony Club began in 1967 at Holbrook Pony Club, where she formed a lifelong passion for horses and equestrian learning. From her first rally on a pony named Jingles, she has been dedicated to supporting riders of all ages and abilities, both within Pony Club and through her professional work in education and youth development.
With decades of experience in leadership, education and program delivery, Marylou brings a practical, empathetic approach to the role of Chair. She has held numerous voluntary roles within the equine sector and is recognised for her ability to engage stakeholders at all levels — from grassroots members to national and international partners. Her focus on building life skills and creating positive outcomes for young people aligns strongly with Pony Club Australia’s mission.
Carole-Anne Hodges – Secretary
Carole-Anne Hodges has been a dedicated contributor to Pony Club since 1997, with a long track record in both governance and hands-on roles. She has held multiple executive positions at club, zone, state and national levels, including as Zone Treasurer, State Treasurer for Pony Club NSW, and Secretary and Treasurer of the Telegraph Point Pony Club — which she co-founded in 2016.
Carole-Anne has served as an elected Director on the Pony Club Australia Board since 2021, and as Board Secretary since 2023. With a 40-year professional background in finance, payroll and administration — including her current role as Payroll Compliance Lead for Life Without Barriers — she combines technical expertise with an enduring passion for community sport. Her contributions have been recognised through numerous awards, including the 2017 Sports NSW Community Sport Administrator of the Year and Pony Club Australia Volunteer of the Year.
Charlotte Mills – Non-Executive Director
Charlotte Mills joins the Board as a Non-Executive Director, bringing significant governance and leadership experience from her career in national sport administration and policy. A former member of Bacchus Marsh Pony Club, Charlotte is passionate about ensuring the ongoing accessibility, relevance and integrity of equestrian sport for future generations.
Her professional background spans senior executive roles across strategy, stakeholder engagement, animal welfare, and education pathways. She has held national directorships with the Australian Racing Board, Harness Racing Australia and Greyhounds Australasia, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). Charlotte has led initiatives supporting equine aftercare and Off the Track rehoming, with a strong focus on welfare-first practices and community engagement.
Pony Club Australia congratulates Marylou, Carole-Anne and Charlotte on their appointments and looks forward to their leadership and contributions as the organisation continues to strengthen participation, governance and horse welfare across the country.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Emma Le Grand
Marketing & Communications Manager
Pony Club Australia
marketing@ponyclubaustralia.com.au
0408 145 518
