Australia Day is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate the achievements of our outstanding citizens.
The Benalla Rural City Australia Day Awards acknowledge the commitment, dedication and invaluable achievements of our many community members, who selflessly contribute, and make our Rural City such a special, positive, and vibrant place to call home.
Chair of the Benalla Rural City Australia Day Advisory Committee Mayor Bernie Hearn today announced winners of Benalla Rural City's Australia Day Awards.
The Benalla Performing Arts and Convention Centre hosted celebrations from 11.30am where the following award winners were announced:
- 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
District Achievement awards were also presented:
- 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
- Thoona Achiever of the Year – Barrie Irvine
Mayor Hearn said the nominations received this year were again of a high standard, proof of the commitment and dedication that exists within the community. "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. "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."
