The Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat branch, established in 2002 to perpetuate the memory of Sergeant John McNally, a local policeman killed on the goldfields in 1856, has raised more than $900,000 for East Grampians Health Service.

Currently the branch has a fundraising target of $235,000, to replace the health service's general x-ray machine. The x-ray machine will be housed within the John McNally Medical Imaging Unit, which will form part of the Blue Ribbon Foundation Wing.

This new wing will be named following the current $6.9 million redevelopment of the EGHS theatre, medical imaging and pathology departments.

The benefits of replacing the general x-ray machine will include a fully integrated digital system that will use around 60 per cent of the x-radiation dose that the current system uses to acquire an image, and a much sharper image that can be manipulated to achieve more accurate diagnoses.

This general x-ray machine will enable the health service's highly trained staff to continue to work with the most up-to-date equipment and will provide the Ararat and district community with quality health care close to home.