INSTALMENT: Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation – Ararat Branch members, from left, Dianne Radford, Dean Pinniger, Jodie Howell, Jess Seres, East Grampians Health Service chief medical imaging officer Sabrina Lewicki, and chief executive Nick Bush, Cam Evans, Sandra Marriner, Stuart Kerr, Shaun Allen and police chaplain Father Martin Nadarajan happily hand over the first instalment of $100,000 for a mammography machine for East Grampians Health Service. Picture: Dave Nicholson
Milestone delivered at Ararat Blue Ribbon gala night
03 June 2026
By Lauren Henry
The Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation – Ararat Branch has reached an important milestone in their latest fundraising efforts for a mammography machine at East Grampians Health Service – reaching $100,000 towards the $250,000 project.
The branch hosted its annual gala night at Ararat Town Hall on Friday night, where more than 250 guests helped raise $30,000-plus for the project.
The night opened with branch members handing over a $100,000 cheque to East Grampians Health Service representatives, followed by entertainment by a live band, as well as live and silent auctions to help raise money.
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Police Minister Anthony Carbines was also on hand, thanking the branch for its fundraising efforts and paying tribute to police officers.
Ararat branch president Dianne Radford said the branch had raised more than $1.2-million dollars for East Grampians Health Service in the past 24 years.
“This year we celebrate 24 years of the Blue Ribbon – Ararat’s commitment to ‘Remembering lives by saving others’,” she said.
Mrs Radford said after a meeting with EGHS then-new medical imaging chief medical officer Sabrina Lewicki, the idea for a mammography machine for EGHS was suggested.
The branch then set about to fundraise $250,000, and in just six months had donations from the Grampians Ride to Remember, raising in excess of $35,000, the Ararat Lions Club donated $20,000, the East Grampians Health Service Murray to Moyne Cycling Relay Team raised $16,000, the Moyston Easter Market $4500, and then the Commonwealth Bank Australia – Ararat last week donated $5000.
“Together with community donations, and from our reserve funds from our supporters tonight, we are incredibly proud with the foundation’s endorsement to announce our first instalment donation of $100,000 to East Grampians Health Service,” she said.
“Thank you to our wonderful community for making this happen so quickly.
“With $150,000 to go, and with community support, I’m sure we
will raise this sooner than later so
the Blue Ribbon Foundation Wing will have this vital piece of equipment.”
Mrs Radford thanked fellow Ararat Branch members, the community, as well as major sponsors: ACE Radio Network, AME Systems, and Ararat Rural City Council.
The entire June 3, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
