Events

2nd Annual 'Inside Story' Coming Up

When: 27th October 2006

The 2nd Annual ‘Inside Story’ organized through the Ararat Branch of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation will be held at the Astor Theatre Complex, Ararat on Friday, 27th October, 2006.
 
With the soon to be opened new Emergency Helicopter Landing Pad at the Ararat Hospital, it is fitting that we feature Police Rescue at this year’s event.

The ‘Inside Story’ is a unique programme and after the success of last year’s first up event, the Ararat Branch is pleased that it is able to bring another aspect of the Victoria Police operations.
 
This year’s guest presenter will be Senior Constable Darryl Jones who played a significant role in the dramatic rescues in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in 1998.  
                                                                                                                                                
For 60 years the Sydney to Hobart blue water yacht race has attracted interest from all over the world and is the premier event on the Australian yacht racing calendar.
 
On December 26th1998, 115 yachts started at Sydney Harbour in the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Fierce storms and violent winds battered the fleet and only 44 boats made it to Hobart. Five boats sank, 66 boats retired from the race, six sailors died, and 55 sailors were taken off their yachts, most by helicopter.  At the time Police Air Wing Pilot, Senior Constable Darryl Jones was involved in these dramatic rescues.

For his efforts, Darryl was awarded the Captain William Kossler Award (American Helicopter Society), Commonwealth Group Citation for Bravery, Victoria Police Valour Award and the Royal Lifesaving Society Bravery Cross.
 
It is expected that a current Police Air Wing pilot will also be involved in the presentation, and the Astor Cinema screen will be used to feature aspects of Police Rescue.
 
The Victoria Police Air Wing was officially formed in 1975, after members of the Victoria Police Aero Club demonstrated the effectiveness of aviation as a police resource. Helicopters were introduced in 1979.
 
The Air Wings work includes Crime Prevention and Detection, Traffic Surveillance, Fire Duties, Search and Rescue and Air Ambulance. Operational support is provided to the Dog Squad, Search and Rescue, Water Police and Crime Squads.
 
Cost to attend the 2nd Annual Inside Story is $30 per person (all inclusive) with proceeds going towards the Ararat Branches current fundraising for the General X-Ray Machine and Portable X- Ray in the Medical Imaging Department at the Ararat Hospital.