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Australia Day honours for Benalla’s best

Deserving: Benalla’s Jenny Wapling. Photo: Christine Knight. Photo by Contributed

Jenny Wapling — Benalla Citizen of the Year 2024

Jenny Wapling, an integral member of the current Benalla Scout group, serves as a beacon of dedication and leadership.

As group leader since 2008, she invests seven hours each week, ensuring active participation in youth meetings.

Beyond her role, Jenny provides inclusive transportation to activities, exemplifying her altruism.

Engaged in hospital auxiliary work and environmental initiatives such as Clean Up Australia Day, she goes beyond Scouting duties.

Jenny’s philanthropy extends to civic contributions, including Australia Day events and educational programs.

Whether hand-sewing Scout scarfs or leading community fundraisers, she stands as an inspirational role model, epitomising selfless service.

Jenny couldn’t hold back the tears as she thanked the BPACC audience.

After the event, she said she was “absolutely shocked” to hear her name read out as Citizen of the Year.

“Other people do a lot more than I do in this town,” she said.

“So I was surprised that they think I’m worthy of this.”

When asked how she would celebrate, she said she hadn’t planned anything, as she did not expect to win.

“We’ll have a quiet day after this and maybe a couple of drinks,” she said.

Millicent Scriven — Benalla Young Citizen of the Year

Millicent actively contributes to her community, showcasing remarkable leadership and dedication.

As a former school captain and recipient of numerous awards, including the Zonta Young Women in Public Affairs and Rotary Young Achiever awards, she excels in various roles.

Millicent engages in volunteer work, serving at the Winton kiosk for Rotary Benalla and participating in projects such as Full Impact and Tomorrow Today Digital.

As a Rotex member, she co-ordinates social media and mentors exchange students.

Beyond local initiatives, Millicent’s global impact includes volunteering in the Northern Territory in Gapuwiyak and in India, embodying her commitment to youth issues.

Accepted into Australian Defence Force officer training, Millicent stands as an inspirational role model for young individuals, emphasising the possibilities through dedication and perseverance.

Due to her ADF training, Millicent was unable to attend the event at BPACC but sent a video message thanking the community and council for choosing her as Young Citizen of the Year.

Oliver Hall — Junior Citizen of the Year 2024

Winner: Benalla Junior Citizen of the Year 2024, Oliver Hall. Photo: Christine Knight. Photo by Contributed

During 2023, Oliver was a dedicated Year 12 student at Benalla P-12 College and actively contributed to both his school and the wider community.

Excelling academically, he completed advanced coursework and demonstrated resilience in tackling challenging STEM subjects through distance education.

As the 2023 school captain, Oliver efficiently managed assemblies and events, displaying integrity and responsibility.

His involvement in the Rose City Band and representation of the school in swimming showcased his all-round abilities.

Oliver engages in extensive community service, fundraising for the Leukaemia Foundation and supporting initiatives such as ‘Wear it Orange Day’ and Kokoda trek subsidies.

As a Cadet Under Officer, he leads and mentors, earning accolades from the Benalla Rotary Club for his community work.

Passionate about youth issues, Oliver actively participates in Live 4 Life Crew and Full Impact, advocating for mental health and organising youth events.

His empathetic nature and commitment to public education equity make Oliver a notable contributor to his community.

After the event, Oliver told the Ensign that while he knew he was nominated, he did not expect to win.

“I think the other nominees were just as deserving,” he said.

“I didn’t think I did anything special to get this. So many people in Benalla are doing so many great things.”

There was little time to celebrate, as Oliver was off to work after the event. But he did say he’d find time to mark the occasion with his family later in the evening.

Diwali @ the Mural — Community Event or Project of the Year 2024

Festival of lights: The Benalla Festival kicked off with a Diwali event at the Rose City’s ceramic mural. Photo by Simon Ruppert

Diwali @ the Mural was a celebration of South Asian culture held on the foreshore of Lake Benalla on Friday, November 3, 2023.

At dusk, the Benalla Art Gallery, Ceramic Mural and the museum were illuminated with a moving laser light show, with community members designing and contributing their own artworks.

Entertainment included traditional music and food, children’s entertainment and henna and face painting.

Diwali was organised by the Benalla Migrants Association, with support from the North East Sri Lankan Association and Benalla Uniting Church volunteers.

Sam Epage, from the BMA, accepted the award and thanked the community.

“This award encourages us to organise more and more events,” he said.

“Thank you to the BMA committee and community members for the effort they put into organising Diwali.

“It was a magnificent event.”

Full Impact Squad — Community Group of the Year 2024

Great mates: Benalla's Full Impact Squad are the 2024 Community Group of the Year. Photo: Christine Knight. Photo by Contributed

The Full Impact Squad is a passionate group of young people aged 11 to 19 who live in Benalla Rural City.

The squad, which gives a voice to young people, meets regularly to discuss youth issues, help organise youth and community events, and take part in leadership forums and self-development activities.

The squad currently has 18 members who attend school locally. They worked closely with council to provide advice to ensure young people’s voices are heard and to create and organise youth and community events and initiatives to make young people feel safe, supported and engaged.

Squad member Ruby Berry said winning the award showed the young members that all the community activities they undertook were worthwhile.

“We do it as it gives us a good feeling to help others,” Ruby said.

The squad members took a short walk to Spot for Ice Cream to celebrate their achievement.

Benalla Heritage Network — Merit Award for Community Event of the Year

Merit Award: Benalla Heritage Network members Bill Willett, Jane Rushworth and FCJ College Archivist, Lyn Tanner, .

The Benalla Heritage Network was given a special Merit Award for the Shared Stories event it held as part of the 3rd National Heritage Festival held in Benalla in 2023.

Meet Benalla’s newest Aussie citizens

Proud: Benalla Mayor Danny Claridge and Cr Bernie Hearn join the Rose City’s newest Australian citizens after the Australia Day event at BPACC. Photo: John Perri. Photo by Contributed

It was an exciting Australia Day for seven local people who had their citizenship ceremonies as part of Benalla’s Australia Day celebrations.

Benalla’s Annie May and her daughters were confirmed as Aussie citizens at the event.

“It feels really great,” she said.

“I’ll get my new passport soon. Then, I’ll be taking a holiday without being stopped by immigration — no more queues.

“I feel very privileged to become a citizen of Australia. I’m so happy.”

Achievers and Young Achievers

Benalla Rural City Council also distributed awards to deserving community members in townships across the local government area.

Happy: Benalla Young Achiever of the Year, Emily Snell. Photo: Christine Knight. Photo by Contributed
Honoured: Devenish Achiever of the Year, Russell Lowe. Photo Christine Knight. Photo by Contributed
Good work: Swanpool/Lima Achiever of the Year, Sue Kucia. Photo: Christine Knight. Photo by Contributed
Looking after veterans: Goorambat Achievers of the Year, Phil and Joanne Thomson. Photo: Christine Knight. Photo by Contributed
Volunteers: Benalla Achievers of the Year, Peter and Margaret Poels, with Cr Bernie Hearn. Photo: Christine Knight. Photo by Contributed
Event of the year: Members of the Benalla Migrants Association with Mayor Danny Claridge, BMA Member Cr Puna Gunaratne and Cr Bernie Hearn. Photo: Christine Knight. Photo by Contributed
Dedicated: The Tatong Achiever of the Year, Larissa Montgomery. Photo by Contributed
Australia Day Thoona: Dianne Phillips-Belcher with a Mt Bruno Picnic display. Organisers of the Mt Bruno Picnic took home the Thoona Achiever of the Year award for 2024. Photo: John Perri. Photo by Contributed
Community-minded: Baddaginnie Achiever of the Year, Greg Dennis. Photo: Simon Ruppert. Photo by Simon Ruppert
Legend: Molyullah Achiever of the Year, Thomas Hill on stage at BPACC with Cr Bernie Hearn. Photo: Christine Knight. Photo by Contributed

More from Australia Day around the region

Entertainment: Russell Ellis performs at the Thoona Australia Day breakfast. Photo: John Perri. Photo by Contributed
Well attended: Benalla’s Australia Day Breakfast. Photo: Christine Knight. Photo by Contributed
Flag waving: The Benalla Rotary Club provided breakfast for the community on Australia Day. Photo: Christine Knight. Photo by Contributed
Speech: Tatong Achiever of the Year, Larissa Montgomery, at BPACC. Photo: Christine Knight. Photo by Contributed
Great job: The Benalla Scouts and Guides preparing to raise the flag at the Rose City's Aussie Day breakfast. Photo: Christine Knight. Photo by Contributed
Pride: While Goomalibee did not have an Achiever of the Year in 2024, its CFA was flying a brand-new Aussie flag donated by Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines. The firefighters are pictured with Benalla Rural City Cr Gail O’Brien. Photo by Simon Ruppert
Aussie songs: Talented duo Dallas Alice performed three songs at Benalla’s Australia Day event. Photo: Simon Ruppert. Photo by Simon Ruppert