Blue Ribbon Ararat Branch Spirit of Sport Awards
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.
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The Blue Ribbon Foundation, Protecting the Protectors and the Victoria Police Dog Squad, recently launched a new initiative, the Purposeful Placement Program.
The program will provide companion support to police veterans who have retired from the force after being diagnosed with PTSD. All three parties worked together to provide an alternative to a Therapy Dog which are currently provided through the Police Assistance Dog program. Therapy Dogs are provided to those who are unable to perform tasks which we take as being the norm.
Retired Detective Sergeant Peter Bellion is the first very worthy recipient of this new program, having retired from the force due to his exposure to over 1000 fatalities in his career at the Major Collision Unit.
Peter is constantly providing support to others within various charitable organizations keeping himself active by helping others. His dog of 19 years recently died which left a gap in his life.
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
Held around the picturesque Albert Park Lake, the 2025 Angela Taylor Memorial Run/Walk saw runners, walkers, juniors, nippers, veterans, seniors and pets turn out in record numbers.
With nearly 1000 registered participants and catering to match all levels of fitness, the event assists the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation and its valuable work in providing new and improved emergency facilities in public hospitals throughout Victoria.
The Angela Taylor Memorial Run/Walk was started in 1989. This is community event is a 5km run/walk individual and team event or a 10km run to commemorate the life of Angela Rose Taylor who died as a result of the 1986 Russell Street bombing.
Members, staff and families from Victoria’s Police & Emergency Services and members of the public joined in and showed their support for the services that protect us and care in times of danger and disaster.
