Australia Day in Benalla welcomes new citizens and awards amazing community members

By Contributed

Jan 26, 2024

Superstars: Benalla Citizen of the Year 2024 Jenny Wapling and Junior Citizen of the Year Oliver Hall flanked by Benalla Mayor Danny Claridge and Cr Bernie Hearn. Photo: Christine Knight. Photo by Contributed

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.

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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.

Community: A packed house at BPACC celebrated Australia Day in Benalla. Photo by Simon Ruppert

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.

Flying high: The 2024 Australia Day flag Raising in Baddaginnie. Photo by Simon Ruppert

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

Welcome: Benalla's newest Aussie citizens on stage at BPACC with Mayor Danny Claridge and Cr Bernie Hearn. Photo by Simon Ruppert

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.

Talented: Col Milligan performed some bush poetry at the Benalla Australia Day event. Photo by Simon Ruppert

“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.”