Join us for a spectacular 221km Ride!

Starting from Ararat at 9am, this scenic journey will take you through the beautiful rural countryside, passing through Tatyoon, Maroona, Lake Bolac, and Wickliffe, before stopping in Willaura for a relaxing morning tea.

From there, continue through Yarram Gap into the Grampians National Park, where you’ll have a moment to reflect on last year’s bushfires and witness the incredible regrowth across the landscape. The ride then travels onward to Dunkeld, returning via Glenthompson and Willaura to Ararat, where a well-earned lunch awaits at the Alexandra Gardens.

In honour of Blue Ribbon Day and in memory of the recent passing of Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart-Hottart, police members, volunteers and community groups across Victoria have stepped up to show their support for the Blue Ribbon Foundation.

In Melton, the Police’s volunteer group — the Melton Community Safety Register (MCSR) — continues to make a meaningful impact by phoning some of the area’s most vulnerable and elderly residents each weekday morning. At their annual dance last week, the group took the “Blue Ribbon Tin” and merchandise along, selling nearly all of their pins and ribbons. With generous donations from attendees, the fundraiser is believed to have raised hundreds of dollars, helping to support the foundation’s important work.

At Wangaratta Police Station, staff and community members created a powerful display to mark Blue Ribbon Day, honouring fallen officers and raising awareness of the foundation’s mission. The display drew steady attention throughout the week, encouraging locals to pause, reflect, and donate. Officers reported that many members of the public contributed to the cause, with donations flowing directly to the Blue Ribbon Foundation.

Meanwhile in Bendigo, the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s local branch partnered with Bendigo Health to host a fundraising event. Volunteers and staff sold ribbons, pins and merchandise at the hospital, with a steady stream of patients, staff and visitors showing their support. The initiative raised significant funds for the foundation while also strengthening ties between the police, the health service and the wider Bendigo community.

At Craigieburn Library, a dedicated Blue Ribbon Day display was set up to raise awareness and honour those who have given their lives in the line of duty. The display attracted the interest of many library visitors, sparking conversation and community engagement. Even after the Blue Ribbon Day materials were removed, the display continued to draw attention — now featuring a bright pink cap as a new point of interest. The library hopes to keep the display in place until the end of October, with plans for the CFA to contribute materials to promote bushfire awareness heading into summer.

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Tickets are just $10, Raffle closes 11 December unless sold out.

East Gippsland Football Netball League recently awarded their Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Spirit of Sport awards for 2025.

The Under 15 netball award went to Holly Hanratty, Under 17.5s football award went to Sam Dekkers. The Under 17.5 Most Disciplined Football Club Award was won by Lakes Entrance. The Under 17.5s Football coach of the Year was awarded to Jordan Cullen from Lakes Entrance FNC and the Junior Umpire of the Year was won by Liam Kool.

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

2.00pm, 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!