ARARAT - The Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat Branch has presented a cheque for $40,000 to East Grampians Health Service after the successful Salvation Hill Sunday Luncheon which attracted more than 400 people.
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The luncheon, held in the beautiful vineyard at Salvation Hill, Norval, saw hundreds enjoy a sumptuous luncheon from the East Grampians Health Service catering staff complemented by local wines, a popular auction, the poetry of Colin Driscoll and music by Ta, Here Jack.
The event involved a huge team of volunteers, co-ordinated by the sub committee of Terry and Pauline Weeks, Peter and Merren McIntosh, Jess Baird, Ben Thomson, Yvette Brady, Ferg and Louise Anderson, Colin Driscoll, Jim, Margie and Rob Kilpatrick, Alan, Shelley and Lachie Green, Geoff Laidlaw, Rowly and Judy Paterson, Peter Leeke and Dianne Radford, which culminated in the huge sum of $40,000 raised.
The Ararat branch invited the East Grampians Health Service board and sub committee members to a special function to present the cheque, which will go towards the purchase of a new CT scanner for the hospital.
The branch has committed $150,000 to the $400,000 project.
Ararat Branch president Terry Weeks said the Salvation Gully luncheon was a great success and he thanked the branch members, sub committee and sponsors.
"As a result we've raised, for EGHS, $40,000 to go towards our fundraising target of $150,000 for a new CT scanner," he said.
In accepting the cheque, board president Sally Philip also thanked the branch and sub committee on behalf of the board and staff of EGHS.
"It was a staggering amount of money raised for a one day luncheon," she said.
"We are humbled by the support of the Blue Ribbon Foundation in terms of the money given over the years and we have been able to develop our facilities due in part to the Blue Ribbon support of close to $600,000 over 10 years."
Ms Philip said over the 10 years of the branch's operation members have raise funds for a new helipad ($150,000), radiology department ($286,000), emergency department ($63,000) and operating theatre ($45,000), among other projects, many named in honour of Sergeant John McNally, a policeman killed in the line of duty on the goldfields in 1856
Ms Philip thanked the committee for their tireless work over the past 10 years.
"The Salvation Gully luncheon was a fine example of this dedication and we continue to be indebted to the Blue Ribbon Foundation," she said.
