Australia Day 2023 in Benalla Rural City will focus on award ceremonies being held in Benalla and around our rural townships.
Benalla Rural City Mayor said it was important to celebrate the achievements of our community and the outstanding individuals within our community on Australia Day.
"The Australia Day Awards acknowledge the commitment and dedication that exists in our towns and villages, recognising the invaluable achievements of so many community members who contribute to making our rural city a positive, vibrant place to call home.
"I hope our community comes together this Australia Day to appreciate the great people, great community, and amazing country we are lucky to have.
"There are events in most of the rural townships surrounding Benalla, plus we have the Lake Benalla Foreshore community breakfast and ceremony organised by the Rotary Club of Benalla and the main award presentations at BPACC, which people can attend by booking a free ticket from BPACC or can live stream from anywhere in the world," Cr Hearn said.
The Benalla Rural City's Australia Day Award presentations can be watched online from 11.30am on Thursday 26 January at benalla.vic.gov.au
Benalla Rural City Council through the National Australia Day Council's (NADC) 2023 Australia Day Community Grants Program, with the assistance of the Australian Government, has also been successful in receiving funding to assist with running of Benalla and District Australia Day ceremonies.
The NADC recognises the challenges that have presented by the pandemic over the past two years in communities being able to hold face-to-face events.
The grants support inclusive events that allow communities to come together and reflect, respect and celebrate the individual and collective efforts of Australians who put the wellbeing of others before themselves and support their communities in a time of need – because we're all part of the Story of Australia.
There are plenty of activities happening this Australia Day around Benalla and our rural townships.
Here is what we have planned:
Lake Benalla Foreshore
8am – Flag Raising Ceremony and Benalla Rotary breakfast, gold coin donation
9am – Presentation to the Benalla Achiever of the Year
Benalla Rural City Australia Day Award Presentations
BPACC, 57 Samaria Road from 11.30am, entry is free, tickets essential by phoning BPACC on 5762 5515.
- Citizenship Ceremony
- Entertainment by Benalla Theatre Company
- Guest Speaker, Michael Donehue, founder of Journey Apparel and mental health advocate
- Australia Day Award Presentations, Watch online from 11.30am at benalla.vic.gov.au
- Barbecue by Rotary Club of Benalla
BPACC Cinema
Free movie and choc top, screening of H is for Happiness (PG) at 2pm. Tickets essential from the BPACC Cinema box office.
Rural Townships
BADDAGINNIE
Baddaginnie Hall
8.30am – Community Breakfast
9.30am – Flag Raising Ceremony
DEVENISH
Bicentennial Park
9am – Flag Raising Ceremony and Morning tea
GOOMALIBEE
Goomalibee CFA Shed
8am – Community Breakfast followed by Flag Raising Ceremony
GOORAMBAT
Goorambat Hall
8am – Community Breakfast
9am – Flag Raising Ceremony and Presentation to the Goorambat Achiever of the Year
LIMA
Lima School Community Centre
9.30am – Flag Raising Ceremony, Presentation to the Lima/Swanpool Achiever of the Year, and morning tea
- Guest Speaker, Garry Cook AFSM, Deputy Chief Officer at CFA
MOLYULLAH
Molyullah Hall
8.30am – Flag Raising Ceremony
8.45am – Community Breakfast
TATONG
Tatong Recreation Reserve
8am – Community Breakfast
9am – Flag Raising Ceremony and Presentation to the Tatong Achiever of the Year
THOONA
Thoona Memorial Hall
8am – Community Breakfast
9am – Flag Raising Ceremony and Presentation to the Thoona Achiever of the Year
WARRENBAYNE
Warrenbayne Community Hall
8.30am – Community Breakfast and Flag Raising Ceremony
