MELBOURNE

MARCH & NPRD SERVICE

10.00am, Monday 29 September

We invite all police members (past and present), their families and the Victorian community to join the official march and service for National Police Remembrance Day.

The march (step-off) and parade will start at 10am from Princes Bridge, St Kilda Road.

The parade will move along St Kilda Road to the Victoria Police Memorial, King’s Domain, Melbourne.

A service will follow from 10.20am at the Victoria Police Memorial, Kings Domain.

BACCUS MARSH

Details to be provided

BOROONDARAH

10.00pm, Monday 29 September

Boroondarah Police Complex

34 Harp Road, Kew East 3102

DONCASTER

12.00pm, Tuesday 23 September

Doncaster Police Station

979 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster

SUNSHINE

11.00am Thursday 25 September

Club Italia

128-152 Furlong Road, Sunshine

Guests are requested to arrive by 10.45am for the 11.00 start

Refreshments will follow the Service.

SPRINGVALE

END OF DAY REFLECTION SERVICE

4pm, Monday 29 September

Springvale Botanical Cemetery

Victoria Police Memorial – Cnr Fifth & Sixth Roads

Outdoor Ceremony followed by refreshments

REGIONAL VICTORIA

ARARAT

11.00am Monday 29 September

Holy Trinity Anglican Church

47 High Street, Ararat

Refreshment after the Service

BAIRNSDALE

10.00am Monday 29 September

St John’s Anglican Church

2 Francis St, Bairnsdale

BALLARAT

11.30am Monday 29 September

St Peter’s Anglican Church

1307 Sturt Street, Ballarat

BENDIGO

10.00am Friday 26 September

St Paul’s Anglican Church

4 Myers Street, Bendigo

Police members & Veterans wishing to march:

March will commence from Williamson/ Myer’s Intersection.

Form up point: 10 Myers Street by 9.45am

March will commence promptly at 10am.

HAMILTON

10.00am Monday 29 September

Hamilton Performing Arts Centre

113 Brown Street, Hamilton

HORSHAM

10.00AM Monday 29 September

St Michael and Johns Catholic Church

13 McLachlan St, Horsham

KORUMBURRA

10.30 am Monday 29 September

St Paul’s Anglican Church

3 Queen St, Korumburra

MACLEOD

10.00am Monday 29 September

Victoria Police Forensic Services Centre

31 Forensic Drive, Macleod

MILDURA

11.00am Monday 29 September

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

259 Eleventh Street, Mildura 3500

ROSEBUD

10.30AM Monday 29 September

Rosebud RSL Club

117 Eastbourne Road, Rosebud

Police Memorial Service followed by light refreshments

SEYMOUR

11.00am Monday 29 September

Seymour Police Station

58 Tallarook St, Seymour

Morning tea to follow service

SHEPPARTON

10.30am Monday 29 September

Monash Park (cnr Fryers Street & Welsford Street)

Refreshments following the Service at Shepparton Senior Citizens Centre.

WANGARATTA

9300 am Monday 29 September

Wangaratta Turn Club

1-15 Racecourse Road, Wangaratta

WARRNAMBOOL

10.00 am Monday 29 September

Old Police Station Memorial

Gilles Street, South West Warrnambool

WODONGA/ALBURY

10.00am Monday 29 September

St Mathews Church

Keiwa St, Albury

Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat Branch Vice President, Acting Senior Sergeant Shaun Allen and Kate Gleeson recently presented the Ararat and District Junior Football Association ‘Spirit of Sport’ fairest and best awards to Kobe Foster (Warriors), Bohdi Horvatek (Rovers), Hugh McMahon (Mounties) and Tom King.

A few days ago Stonnington and Port Phillip Police met for their annual Silk/Miller Footyball and Netball games. The event remembers Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller who died in 1998.

Stonnington came away with the Cup in the netball match (34 v 24) with Eliza Dahaher and Travis Ellams winning the Blue Ribbon Most Valuable Player award.

Port Phillip easily came away victors in the AFL game, 72 v 37. Rodney Miller’s son Jimmy won the Blue Ribbon Medal for the Saints and Marcus Schroen for Port.

The Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat Branch has presented a cheque for $24,070 to East Grampians Health Service, the final instalment as part of its commitment to the purchase of a new anaesthetic machine.
The $114,070 anaesthetic machine is now in use in the EGHS Jason Bond Perioperative Unit.
The upgrade of the Perioperative Unit was funded by the Ararat Branch in 2015 and included a redesign and refurbishment of the theatre recovery and day procedure unit. It was named in memory of local young man Jason Bond, a police officer in training, who died as a result of a motor vehicle accident in 2011.

The donation to the health service comes from the proceeds of the Ararat Branch’s major annual events, the Grampians ’Ride to Remember’ and the Gala Night.
Ararat Branch president Dianne Radford said the branch was pleased to be able to complete the anaesthetic machine project.
“The anaesthetic machine is a vital piece of equipment for the Perioperative Unit, and we are very pleased
to donate this equipment to the unit named in honour of Jason Bond,” Mrs Radford said.
“The project has been completed in 12 months, from the first instalment in August 2024, a remarkable
achievement made possible through the fantastic support of our local community.
“The Ararat Branch of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation was formed 23 years ago, and since then we have donated more than $1 million to East Grampians Health Service, of which our volunteer committee is very proud.”
The anaesthetic machine is used for anaesthetic purposes for every patient who has a procedure in theatre. It acts as the lungs for the anaesthetised patient, with the ability to administer the correct amounts of medication required for that patient to have their surgery, in a safe and controlled environment.

EGHS chief executive Nick Bush thanked the Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat Branch for the donation of the final instalment and generous support of the anaesthetic machine project.
“With the support and dedication of the Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat branch, partners, businesses,
organisations and everyone who annually supports the Ararat Branch’s fundraising efforts, we are able to
provide state of the art equipment and facilities for our community,” Mr Bush said.
The Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat Branch is currently in discussions with East Grampians Health Service
regarding a new project to support.

Pictured in the EGHS Jason Bond Perioperative Unit with the new anaesthetic machine are: L-R
standing, Director of Clinical Services Bec Peters, former Director of Clinical Services Peter Armstrong,
anaesthetist Dr Neil Provis-Vincent, Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat Branch members, Kate Gleeson,
Dianne Radford, Shaun Allen, Dean Pinniger, Stuart Kerr; seated L-R, Jess Molloy, Manager Perioperative
Unit Kirsten Carr and Carlia Byron.

Our Ararat Branch recently hosted the Blue Ribbon Round with the Ararat & District Junior Football Association under 13s.

The Sprint of Sport award recipients were; Mounties Pat Harrington; Bombers Peter Smith; Rovers Edward Astbury; Warriors Jackson Notting.

Thankyou to our local police umpires for getting behind the day!

A special day on Saturday to honour Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller with the 27th annual Blue Ribbon Cup played between Hawthorn and St Kilda.

New Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush, who recently moved from New Zeland, attended for the first time but never revealed which team he will choose to support in the AFL. Maybe a signed guernsey from St Kilda will sway his decision?

Rodney’s son Jimmy Miller and Gary’s niece Tori Silk presented the Best on Ground awards. All players also received a Blue Ribbon medal to mark the occasion.

Hawthorn came away with the win for the second year in a row, 94/74.

Tickets are now on sale for our next $250,000 raffle.

First prize is TWO luxury cars, a classic Audi Q3 and the modern innovation of the all-electic Audi Q4 e-tron. Also included in the first prize pack is $60k worth of Gold.

You could win one of 395 prizes.

Second prize is a $15,000 VISA Gift Voucher. *Woolworths voucher if in Vic.

Third prize is a $7,500 Flight Centre Travel Voucher.

Plus many, many other wonderful prizes.

Buy your ticket before August 6 and go into the $10,000 Bonus Draw

The Blue Ribbon Foundation, Protecting the Protectors and the Victoria Police Dog Squad, recently launched a new initiative, the Purposeful Placement Program.

After a conversation with Peter, Blue Ribbon liaised with Acting Sergeant Andrew Mutch of the Dog Squad and the idea was born. Once supported by his superiors, it was formally signed off by Assistant Commissioner Mick Hermans.

The purposeful placement of dogs that do not necessarily meet the strict operational criteria will now be a companion to our police veterans who need support. This is a great outcome with no cost though the first year, with veterinary insurance to be provided by Protect the Protectors being Glenn Hollands tireless work in fighting PTSD.

Due to the limited number of dogs that will be available through the Dog Squad, discussions are taking place with Assistance Dogs Australia who are very keen to support when they can. Please contact https://protectingtheprotectors.com/ for more information on access to this program and or a Therapy Dog.

Photo: BRF Board Member and Retired Detective Superintendant Pat Boyle, Assistant Commissioner Mick Mermans, Retired Detective Sergeant Peter Bellion, Glenn (Dutchy) Holland from #Flightingptsdvicpol and the star of the show Nala.

Des is the latest recipient of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation PTSD Assistance Dog (PAD) initiative – in partnership with Protecting the Protectors led by Sgt Glenn Holland and Assistance Dogs Australia.

Des served with Victoria Police for 20 years until 2001; retiring as a Sergeant ill health – PTSD. Here is his journey and story:

“My experiences within the force left me in a constant state of depression and anxiety which hit me most days at some level,” said Des.

“Some days it was minor and on others it resulted in panic attacks – usually at night which grew to uncontrollable and severe body limb shakes and crying. Still after all of these years, I go through periods when I call a friend to talk me through it nightly.

“I have made progress over the years and generally come across as a confident person and I do what I have to do in life, although hiding these symptoms has also become a skill.

“A once bold and confident man gets around cautiously these days, careful not to attract any conflict. Since I have been partnered with “Nelson” his empathy together with the interactions whilst out and about or at home, alleviates symptoms and replaces them with freedom from the anguish.

“I encourage all Veterans suffering PTSD to explore the life changing benefits I have received through this program. I am so grateful to the Blue Ribbon Foundation and Protecting the Protectors, as what they have done has changed my life – thank you.”

The PAD program was launched in 2022 through the generosity of our supporters at the Blue Ribbon Ball and jointly financed by Protecting the Protectors.

After becoming the second recipient of a Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Police Assistance Dog last year Julie “Jules” McAlister’s life has changed dramatically.

Speaking at the Victoria Past and Present Policewoman’s Association Lunch and with Rochelle Jackson on ‘The Crime Couch’ program, Julie said that the black Labrador Charlie-Kane has made a major difference to her life. Julie’s been through a lot; including a PTSD diagnosis, being forced to retire due to “ill-health”, a suicide attempt and getting accidentally shot with a shotgun at a rifle range. 

In March 2023, Julie was officially recognised for her service with Victoria Police, given an apology, her badge was given back to her “retired” and she was handed a certificate of service.

Since recently receiving her dog “Charlie”, Julie has been promoting this initiative, with her most recent interview on Rochelle Jackson’s ‘The Crime Couch’ giving listeners an insight into how a Police Assistance dog has changed her life and restored her sense of self-worth.

Listen (via the link below) to her interview with Rochelle and how the Police Assistance dog program has made an incredible difference to her life:

@protectingtheprotectors