Blue Ribbon Foundation Horsham branch hosted the Commissioner’s Dinner on Saturday night at the Horsham Town Hall.

Branch president Geoff Lord said it was a fantastic evening.

“Everything went swimmingly,” he said.

“We had in excess of 70 diners plus people coming from as far afield as Melbourne.”

Victoria Police assistant commissioner Tess Walsh was the keynote speaker at the event and she discussed the future of policing.

Mr Lord said Blue Ribbon chief executive Neil Soullier also spoke.

“We had some really good speakers and magnificent support from businesses that donated auction items,” he said.

The night featured a five-course meal with matched wines.

Action items included a holiday to New Zealand.

Horsham restaurant Baa 3400 catered the event, which Mr Lord said featured all Wimmera produce.

Money raised from the event will go towards the Wimmera Health Care Group’s emergency department and the Wimmera Cancer Centre.

Mr Lord said while the amount of money raised was still being tallied, he expected the event brought in more than $3000.

“It was a wonderful result for the community,” he said.

Mr Lord said the dinner was well represented by emergency services, as well as the broader community.

This was the first time the branch has hosted the dinner.

“It was an alternative to our ball – we will still run dance events in the future but the dinner is definitely something we will do again,” he said.

“It was a new initiative and we really appreciate the support of the community.”

Mr Lord said the branch had set itself a target to raise $100,000 in three years.

“We are well on our way to reaching that target,” he said.