Each year, communities across Benalla Rural City celebrate the achievements and contributions of outstanding individuals, groups, events, and projects through the Australia Day Awards program.
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Benalla Rural City Mayor Bernie Hearn said it was important to recognise the invaluable achievements of so many community members who contributed to making our rural city a positive, vibrant place to call home.
“Right across Benalla Rural City, people will be gathering to celebrate and recognise the efforts of those who serve our local community,” Cr Hearn said.
“There are so many people doing wonderful things donating their time and efforts to many different causes and organisations.
“The major Australia Day Award Presentations will be held at BPACC on Thursday, January 26, from 11.30am.
“The program will include a Citizenship Ceremony to welcome 14 new Australian Citizens into our community.
“And our guest speaker is local identity Michael Donehue founder of Journey Apparel and mental health advocate.”
The event will also include a barbecue by the Rotary Club of Benalla.
Entry to the Award Presentations at BPACC is free, however, you will need to reserve your spot.
You can do that by phoning BPACC on 5762 5515.
The presentations can also be watched online from 11.30am on Thursday, January 26, at benalla.vic.gov.au/
Prior to the BPACC event there will also be an 8am flag raising ceremony on the Lake Benalla foreshore.
That will include a breakfast prepared by The Rotary Club of Benalla available for a gold coin donation.
Following that, at 9am, there will be a presentation to the Benalla Achiever of the Year.
Following the BPACC event there will be a free movie and a choc-top ice-cream for all attending. The screening will be of H is for Happiness (PG), which begins at at 2pm.
Tickets are essential and can be obtained from the BPACC Cinema box office.
There will also be events across the local region:
Baddaginnie
At the Baddaginnie Hall.
8.30am: Community Breakfast; 9.30am: Flag-Raising Ceremony.
Devenish
At Bicentennial Park.
9am: Flag-Raising Ceremony and Morning tea.
Goomalibee
At the Goomalibee CFA Shed.
8am: Community Breakfast followed by Flag-Raising Ceremony.
Goorambat
At the Goorambat Mechanics Hall.
8am: Community Breakfast; 9am: Flag-Raising Ceremony and Presentation to the Goorambat Achiever of the Year.
Lima
At the 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
At the Molyullah Hall.
8.30am: Flag-Raising Ceremony; 8.45am: Community Breakfast.
Tatong
At the Tatong Recreation Reserve.
8am: Community Breakfast 9am — Flag-Raising Ceremony and Presentation to the Tatong Achiever of the Year.
Thoona
At the Thoona Memorial Hall.
8am: Community Breakfast 9am — Flag-Raising Ceremony and Presentation to the Thoona Achiever of the Year.
Warrenbayne
At the Warrenbayne Community Hall.
8.30am: Community Breakfast and Flag Raising Ceremony.
Benalla Rural City Council has received funding through the National Australia Day Council’s 2023 Australia Day Community Grants Program, with the assistance of the Australian Government to host the district ceremonies.
Editor