Benalla’s Jenny Wapling and Oliver Hall picked up the community Citizen and Young Citizen of the year awards at the Rose City’s Australia Day ceremony.
And they were far from the only ones to be rewarded for outstanding work in Benalla and its rural townships.
The Benalla Performing Arts and Convention Centre hosted celebrations where the following award winners were announced:
- Benalla Rural City Citizen of the Year - Jenny Wapling
- Benalla Rural City Young Citizen of the Year - Millicent Scriven
- Benalla Rural City Junior Citizen of the Year - Oliver Hall
- Community Event or Project of the Year – Diwali @ the Mural
- Benalla Rural City Community Group of the Year - Full Impact Squad
- Merit Award Community Event of the Year - Shared Stories - the 3rd National Heritage Festival in Benalla.
District Achievement awards were also presented at community breakfasts earlier in the day:
- Baddaginnie Achiever of the Year - Greg Dennis
- Benalla Achievers of the Year - Peter and Margaret Poels
- Benalla Young Achiever of the Year - Emily Snell
- Devenish Achiever of the Year - Russell Lowe
- Goorambat Achievers of the Year - Phillip and Joanne Thomson
- Molyullah Achiever of the Year - Thomas Hill
- Swanpool/Lima Achiever of the Year - Sue Kucia
- Tatong Achiever of the Year - Larissa Montgomery
- Thoona Achiever of the Year - The Mt Bruno Picnic Committee.
The Benalla Rural City Australia Day Awards acknowledge the commitment, dedication and invaluable achievements of our many community members, who selflessly contribute and make the Rose City and its surrounding communities a special, positive, and vibrant place to call home
The Benalla Rural City Australia Day Advisory Committee Chair, Cr Bernie Hearn, announced Benalla Rural City’s Australia Day Awards winners on January 26.
Benalla Mayor Danny Claridge said the nominations received this year were of a high standard and proof of the commitment and dedication that exists within the community.
“This year, we had 28 nominations that recognise the commitment and dedication of all those nominated to our community,” Cr Claridge said.
“Being nominated for an Australia Day award is a great honour. Congratulations to all the nominees and to the winners. Each one of you is deserving of recognition.
“Our community could not achieve what it does without their outstanding efforts.”