News
Grampians ‘Ride to Remember’ 2011
14th January, 2011
Registrations are now being taken for the third annual Grampians ‘Ride to Remember' which will be held on Sunday 30th January 2011.
The Ararat Branch of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation has appointed a strong community Sub Committee to organise the forthcoming event and it is expected a large contingent of motorcycle enthusiasts will converge on Ararat in Western Victoria for the Ride, which is held in memory of Victoria Police killed in the line of duty.
The Sub Committee is headed up by Ararat Branch member Tim Andrew, together with local motorcycle enthusiasts Nicholas Hatswell, Norm Clark, Phil Clark, Ron Duffin, Dan Frost, Simon Clayfield, Alistair Mason, Jenny Sargent (Vintage to Classic's) Mal Pitcher (Stawell), Phil Nicks and Jenny Paapst (Horsham) together with Ararat Highway Patrol's Sgt David Todd, Sen Constable Denis McAdie, Ararat Rural City's Julie Kilpatrick, Ararat SES's Peter Hannan, HM Prison - Ararat representative Huw Jones, Ararat Lions Club President Mick Thornbury and Elmhurst Community representative Jodie Greene. Ararat Branch Secretary Dianne Radford is acting as Coordinator and Ararat Branch's Sgt Peter Hawkins is Treasurer.
The Ride is a green corridor event and opened to all licensed motorcycle enthusiasts, and conducted under police escort to maximize safety and to minimize disruption to road users. Patron of the Grampians "Ride" will be Deputy Commissioner of Victoria Police, Sir Ken Jones and together with Victoria Police Solo's will lead the Ride as it leaves from the Ararat Performing Arts Centre, Barkly St Ararat to travel a 152kms circuit that takes in the rural countryside of the Ararat Rural City municipality and through to the Pyrenees and Northern Grampians Shires, then back to Ararat.
En-route the Main Ride will travel via Elmhurst for morning tea, then to Avoca and onto Moonambel, Landsborough, Crowlands and back to Ararat. A shorter 80kms route for ‘Veteran to Classic' bikes will leave the same starting point and travel to Elmhurst with the Main Ride then take a separate route through to Landsborough and back via Crowlands to join the Main Ride on the outskirts of Ararat.
The Ararat Highway Patrol have full jurisdiction over the Ride and Sgt David Todd will be the Forward Commander for the duration of both the Rides. Prior to the event a Ride Briefing will be conducted with Victoria Police Association President, Brian Rix addressing the gathering with the ‘road safety message'.
On returning to Ararat the Ararat Lions Club will cater with a community barbecue for all the riders and pillions in the Alexandra Gardens (swimming pool area) together with an inaugural ‘Show N Shine' sponsored by Swann Insurance for the Vintage, Retro and Modern bikes. Great prize wills be up for grabs in the different sections. The general public is most welcome to come along and support the event.
All proceeds from this year's Grampians ‘Ride to Remember' will be donated to the Perioperative Unit at East Grampians Health Service (Ararat Hospital) for medical equipment. Proceeds of the Elmhurst morning tea break being organized by the community will be donated to the Elmhurst Primary School.
Registration is $25 for Riders and Pillions (including BBQ Luncheon Pass and 2011 Grampians ‘Ride to Remember' Commemorative Badge) for the two Rides.
An "Early Bird" special offer of being in the draw to win a dozen bottle of Grampians Premium Shiraz courtesy of Clayfield Wines and Mt Cole Wineworks is open to all registrations by 23rd January.
For further details and registration check the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation website or contact Coordinator Dianne Radford, Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation - Ararat Branch Tel: 5356 2351, email: dianneradford6@bigpond.com.
All accommodation enquiries are being handled by the Ararat & Grampians Visitor Information Centre Tel: 1800 657 158.
