$20,000 donation to EGHS

The Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat Branch has provided a $20,000 contribution to East Grampians Health Service for a new x-ray machine.

The donation is part of a $235,000 commitment towards the equipment, and the branch has currently donated $120,000 as part of this project.

East Grampians Health Service is currently undertaking a $7.4 million redevelopment of the theatre, medical imaging and pathology areas of the health service. Part of the redevelopment will be named the Blue Ribbon Wing to recognise the significant contribution of the Foundation and the Ararat branch.

Since 2002 when the Ararat branch was established, more than $900,000 has been raised for the health service, with a significant portion of this donation specifically for the Medical Imaging Department.

Some of the medical imaging equipment is coming to the end of its useful life and will require replacement over the few next years, and funding for the redevelopment will not include replacement of major equipment.

“We are pleased to be handing over another cheque towards the purchase of a new x-ray machine, bringing our current total to $120,000 toward the $235,000 project,” Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat Branch president Terry Weeks said.

“This new x-ray machine will be a vital addition to the newly redeveloped radiology area of East Grampians Health Service and we look forward to completing our commitment to this project.

“While we were unable to hold our major fundraiser for the year, the annual Gala Night of Nights, we will continue to raise funds for this equipment and are currently in early planning stages for the annual Grampians Ride to Remember on February 7 next year, which will go ahead subject to COVID-19 restrictions, as well as next year’s Gala Night on May 28.”

East Grampians Health Service chief executive Andrew Freeman thanked the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat Branch members for their latest donation.

“The Ararat branch is one of our significant partners and we are grateful for their ongoing support of our health service over the past 18 years,” Mr Freeman said.

“Without this support, the redevelopment of many areas of our health service would not have been possible, nor would the purchase of significant items of equipment.

“The community’s ongoing and enthusiastic support of Blue Ribbon Foundation events is also appreciated.”

With fundraising events cancelled for the remainder of the year, anyone who would like to donate to the Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat Branch can go to www.remember.org.au/donate/ where you can nominate the Ararat Branch as recipient of your donation.

Next Tuesday is Blue Ribbon Day and the National Police Remembrance Day, a day for the community to thank those who protect and serve our community and ensure that those who have fallen are never forgotten.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the traditional remembrance ceremonies will not take place locally.

However, there will be a video service livestreamed from the Victorian ceremony at the Police Memorial in Melbourne, and will be available for the public to view through the following links: www.youtube.com/VPBlueTube or https://www.facebook.com/events/3094257794029647/