Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat Branch

15/10/2026

Today marks the 170th anniversary of the death of Sergeant John McNally, killed at Mount Ararat.

The first Victoria Police officer to be feloniously killed in the line of duty, John McNally’s name is recognised at East Grampians Health Service, with the Emergency Department (now Urgent Care Centre), Emergency Helicopter Landing Pad and Medical Imaging Department named in his memory, through the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat Branch.

Sergeant John McNally was 29 when he joined the Victoria Police Force on June 18 1855.

Sergeant McNally's death occurred at the hands of two desperate men, William Twigham and William Turner. Sergeant McNally, along with Constable John Moore, were sent to apprehend the men, but after subduing Turner, Twigham emerged from a tent, shooting and killing Sergeant McNally and wounding Constable Moore.

Sergeant McNally was buried at Cathcart Cemetery, just out of Ararat.

Read more of Sergeant McNally's story here: https://eghs.net.au/2026/10/16/170th-anniversary-of-the-death-of-sergeant-john-mcnally

The Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat Branch is proud to be associated with Sergeant John McNally and in being able to honour his memory and his service to the Victorian community.

A short service will be held today at the Cathcart Cemetery to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Sergeant John McNally. 💙

Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation

12/10/2026

🏍️ PRELIMINARY NOTICE 🏍️

The annual Grampians 'Ride to Remember' will be held on Sunday, February 7 2027. Registrations will open November 1 2026.

The popular Welcoming Dinner on the Saturday night, February 6, at the Ararat RSL will also be held, as well as the Show N Shine.

We look forward to welcoming you to Ararat in February and make sure you book accommodation early so not to miss out.

30/09/2026

💗 PINK DAY 2026 💗

Friday October 23 is Pink Day and is shaping up to be a very special day at Ararat RSL.

This year, Maria Whitford, Bobby Garley, Jill Spence, David Spence and Russell Purdie will be braving the clippers and shaving their heads to help raise funds for the Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat Branch Mammography Unit Project for East Grampians Health Service - Ararat and Willaura

Our Pink Day celebrations kick off with Morning Tea from 10:30am, with plenty of fundraising fun along the way.

Every dollar raised will help support this important local project. 💗

28/09/2026

Today is Blue Ribbon Day, which coincides with National Police Remembrance Day, and is chance for the community to say thank you to those who protect and serve our community and ensure that the Victoria Police Officers who have died in the line of duty are honoured and remembered.

The Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation remembers lives by saving others through building new and improved facilities in Victorian hospitals, including East Grampians Health Service, that are then named in memory of fallen officers, and the Foundation is so grateful for the support of the Victorian community, Victoria Police members, veterans and families.
💙 💙

21/09/2026

Please join us for a National Police Remembrance Day service on Monday September 28 at the Anglican Parish of Ararat at 11am.

14/09/2026

Fantastic to have Psychs on Bikes in town last night! A great night in for the blokes!

14/09/2026

Ararat Branch President Dianne and Secretary Jess had the pleasure of attending the Grampians Giants FNC vote count & presentation evening on Friday night, where they presented “Spirit of Sport”- Appreciation Awards to Sue Ryan & Heather Fleming! A wonderful evening spent celebrating the year of the Giants and their premiership flag! 🏉🥇

10/09/2026

We look forward to an evening with Psychs on Bikes, please see link below and join us by “Catching up with the blokes.”

The countdown is on! In September, the Psychs on Bikes team will hit the road for our next Big Ride, travelling through Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT and connecting with communities along the way.The ride officially begins in Rockhampton, Queensland, on Saturday 5 September and w...

09/09/2026

Don't forget, the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat Branch through their Ride to Remember - Grampians Sub Committee, is running the 'Blokes Night In' next Monday, September 14 at the Ararat RSL.

The night's theme is 'Raising mental health awareness and catching up with the Blokes' - a chance to come together over a meal and drink!

Special guests will be Psychs On Bikes who provide mental health support in the rural and regional areas across Australia, and who will be staying overnight in Ararat as part of their Teardrop Ride from the tip of Cape York (Queensland) all the way down to Wilson's Promontory (Victoria).

Psychs on Bikes are a team of mental health and medical professionals who travel thousands of kilometres by motorbike to meet people on their own turf, approaching communities in a less formal way - 'We're swapping our leather couches for leather jackets'.

Tickets are $20 via https://www.trybooking.com/DPCBE
- on the night, please order/pay for your meal on arrival and buy a drink at bar prices.

All proceeds from the night will go towards the $250,000 Mammography Unit Project for the Blue Ribbon Foundation Wing at East Grampians Health Service (Ararat Hospital).

28/08/2026

A very successful and fun evening spent last night at the “Girls Night In,” which raised close to $4000!!💕
A wonderful evening spent amongst women, filled with plenty of fun, laughter, shades of pink & bubbles! 🥂
Thankyou to all of the women who attended, and to the Ararat RSL for hosting us, who also generously donated their raffle proceedings of $722 towards the Ararat Branch Mammography Machine Project!