The 2025 GRAMPIANS “Ride to Remember” is now upon us and will be on Sunday, April 6^th … just 9 days away, and finally we look forward to welcoming you to Ararat.

To those who have registered, we thank you for sticking with our event, just great, and others who still want to come along, you can book in via: https://www.trybooking.com/CVEUM

REMINDERS: To those who have registered by EOD next Monday, March 31^st you will all go into the EARLYBIRDS draw for 6 bottles of Grampians Premium Shiraz courtesy of Clayfield Wines – Moyston.

 

Also if interested in attending the Welcoming Dinner at the Ararat RSL on the Saturday night, April 5^th   book your seat when registering, as there are only a few seats left.

REGISTRATIONS:  The Ararat RSL will be open at 7am – 8.15am on the morning of the Ride, and all pre-registered riders/pillions will need to check in to receive their entry wristbands that is required for your morning tea/lunch plus you will receive the complimentary 2025 Commemorative Badge, Super Cool Neck Towel and Badge Sticker, plus bottled water will be available throughout the day. Also the RSL will have a Brekkie Menu happening with plenty on offer for everyone.

In addition, Day Registrations will be available – please fill in/sign the attached Registration Form and bring on the morning to the Day Registrations area.

The Ride will take off at 9am sharp following the Safety Briefing at 8.30am, and will travel via Crowlands to Stawell and onto Pomonal for Morning Tea (hosted by the Pomonal Tennis Club) … don’t forget to bring a little monies along to support their community raffle, great prizes and all funds supporting local.

The Ride is expected back around 12.30pm at the Alexandra Gardens/Ararat for the picnic lunch provided by the Ararat Lions Club plus there is the Show N Shine, Blue Ribbon Merchandising, Raffle Draw, Health Checks, Coffee Van etc.

ACCOMMODATION: This has been in demand locally, however if looking for something you can check out the following:

• Ararat Motorcycle Club: To register your interest in camping it is important you please contact David Coone: Mb: 0439 466 330 in advance.
• Acacia Caravan Park: Acacia Caravan Park | Ararat, Victoria – Camping, Caravanning, Cabins, Pet Friendly – Ararat Accommodation FB: (20+) Facebook
• G’Day Parks Ararat: G’day Parks Ararat, Victoria | G’day Parks FB: (20+) Facebook

DAYLIGHT SAVING: Sunday, April 6^th from 2:00am (local standard time), sunrise an hour earlier and more light in the morning.

Again, we thank everyone for their great support and we look forward to conducting a  ‘safe and enjoyable’ Ride.

The annual Ararat Branch “Black Tie” Blue Ribbon Gala Night will be held on Friday, 30th May at the Ararat Town Hall.

We would like to again invite you to be one of our supportive Table Captains and assist with hosting a table of 10 or 12 guests – we hope you can join us and ask, if you are keen, that you please confirm by EOD Friday, 21st March (Phone: 0419 316 920).

This will assist in having your table set up in advance on our try-booking site which will open up on Tuesday, 1st April.

We are also excited to announce that the entertainment will be an “Ararat Extravaganza” of local musicians directed by Dave Nicholson … this will bring together an array of the great talent we have in Ararat & District that will have you dancing the night away. 

More details to come when bookings open, it is going to be big! Our Main Auction and Silent Auction looks to be better than ever.

Enjoy a fun evening while at the same time helping to raise funds toward a new Anaesthetic Machine in the Jason Bond Perioperative Unit at East Grampians Health Service (Ararat Hospital).

The Blue Ribbon Foundation and #fightingptsdvicpol are please to announce our second Police Assistance Dog (PAD), Charlie has been allocated to a loving home with retired veteran Julie.

In 2023, The Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation in conjunction with the #fightingptsdvicpol campaign commenced the PAD program. During this time, we have raised over $200,000 which is being held in Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundations mental health fund.

Charlie and Julie, who now lives in Queensland, are loving a brand new life and taking journies outside the constraints of a home. From just shopping in a supermarket to jumping on a plane to travel to Victoria, this would never had happened without the support of Charlie Kane.

Julie said that the training of Charlie is amazing. As a past breeder herself, she said Charlie’s ability to understand sensory and emotional changes is just incredible.

Charlie was trained in Queensland with Assistance Dogs Australia and was matched through a 12 month process supported by Blue Ribbon Foundation with the application forms filled in with assistance of good friend Margie Lewis.

Assistance Dogs Australia will continue to support Julie and Charlie forever. 

The #fightingptsdvicpol campaign for nearly 9 years now has been raising awareness for PTSD and Mental Health for our Victoria Police members and Retired Police Veterans.

If any Retired Victoria Police Veteran is interested in making an application please utilise the contact details on our website.

It is life changing.