ARARAT - Get out the black tie, frock up and put on your dancing shoes ready for this year's Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat branch Gala Night of Nights.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This year's ball will be held on Friday, May 25 at the Ararat Performing Arts Centre.
The annual Gala 'Night of Nights' is the major fundraiser of the Ararat branch and in addition to a night of dancing, patrons can also expect the usual outstanding auction, featuring a wide variety of much sought after goods and services.
The Ararat Branch of Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation was established in 2002 to perpetuate the memory of Sergeant McNally and to date over $620,000 has been donated to East Grampians Health Service (Ararat Hospital) in his memory. Sergeant John McNally, a local policeman, was killed on the goldfields at Mount Ararat on October 16 1856 and is buried at Cathcart Cemetery. He is the first member of Victoria Police Force to be feloniously killed in the line of duty.
Donations to the health service for projects completed to date include $63,000 towards the 'John McNally' Emergency Department, $150,000 for the 'John McNally' Emergency Helicopter Landing Pad, $136,000 for the 'John McNally' Medical Imaging Department for a general and a portable x ray machine in addition to $150,000 for an image intensifier and computerised radiography and $50,000 for a new microscope for the peri-operative unit.
The Ararat branch's current project aims to raise $150,000 to assist East Grampians Health Service purchase a new CT Scanner, expected to cost $350,000, for the 'John McNally' Medical Imaging Department. In just seven months $75,000 has already been raised.
The CT Scanner is a non-invasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions such as cancers, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, appendicitis, trauma and musculoskeletal disorders.
"In 2011 we celebrated our tenth anniversary and over the years we have had incredible support from the Foundation, the Ararat and district community, businesses, organisations, sponsors, donors and volunteers and this generosity has made the difference in how much we have been able to give to the Ararat Hospital," president Terry Weeks OAM APM said.
There are still tables of 10 or 12 available for the Gala Night of Nights, enquiries should be directed to Dianne Radford on 5356 2351 or edianneradford6@bigpond.com
The Gala Night of Nights is proudly supported by the Emmerson Financial Group.
