Benalla Rural City celebrates Australia Day in style

By Contributed

Jan 26, 2023

Australia Day is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate the achievements of our outstanding citizens.

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And communities across the district did just that with flag raisings and breakfasts held in townships across the local government area.

The Benalla Rural City Australia Day Awards was the big event, held as always at BPACC.

It acknowledged the commitment, dedication and invaluable achievements of the rural city’s many community members, who selflessly contribute to, and make it such a special, positive, and vibrant place to call home.

Benalla Rural City Australia Day Advisory Committee chair, Mayor Bernie Hearn, was joined by Deputy Mayor Justin King as well as 2022 Citizen of the Year Lee Manning and 2022 Young Citizen of the Year Sophie Humphries to announce the winners.

Those were:

Benalla Rural City Citizen of the Year — Barrie Irvine;
Benalla Rural City Young Citizen of the Year — Erin Jenkins;
Community Event or Project of the Year — FCJ College, Finding Our Voice;
Benalla Rural City Community Group of the Year — Live4Life Benalla Crew;
Benalla Achiever of the Year — Doris Billingsley;
Benalla Young Achiever of the Year — Mohamad (Hamoudi) Al Saghir;
Goorambat Achiever of the Year — Paul Dingemans;
Lima/Swanpool Achiever of the Year — Shaun Murphy;
Tatong Achiever of the Year — Robert Erskine; and
Thoona Achiever of the Year — Barrie Irvine.

Cr Hearn said the nominations received this year were again of a high standard, proof of the commitment and dedication that existed within the community.

“Being nominated for an Australia Day award is a great honour,” Cr Hearn said.

“Congratulations to all the nominees and to the winners. Each one of you is deserving of recognition.

“All nominees have made outstanding contribution and commitment in their service to the local community.

“Our community could not achieve what it does without their outstanding efforts.”