Blue Ribbon Foundation chief visits health service

Chairman of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation board David Mann OAM visited East Grampians Health Service in May.

EGHS chief executive Nick Bush provided Mr Mann with a tour of EGHS, along with director of support services Stuart Kerr, president of the Ararat Branch of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Terry Weeks and Lindy Bond, mother of the late Jason Bond, whom the EGHS Perioperative Unit is named in memory of.

Well known as an on air presenter at 3AW, Mr Mann was appointed by the Blue Ribbon Foundation Board in 2012. He has served on many non-profit boards, government committees and ministerial advisory committees.

Mr Mann was shown the various areas which have been funded by the Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat Branch over the past 15 years, including the John McNally Emergency Department, the John McNally Emergency Helicopter Landing Pad, the John McNally Medical Imaging Department and the Jason Bond Perioperative Unit.

As a first time visitor to EGHS, Mr Mann said he was impressed with the scale of facilities provided by the health service.

“The Ararat Branch of the Blue Ribbon Foundation has donated more than $800,000 towards new equipment and facilities over the past 15 years,” Mr Mann said.

“This is evident in the state-of-the-art facilities available at East Grampians Health Service.

“Meeting with the CEO Nick Bush and other staff members in various departments, it was very obvious how passionate they are about their health service and about the care they show to their patients.”

Mr Mann was also guest at the Ararat Branch’s Gala Night of Nights, which this year raised $25,000 towards new facilities and equipment at EGHS.