Year in review: January-June

Benalla Art Gallery held an exhibition celebrating the work of Lurg’s Pauline Fraser. Sikhs from across Australia visited Benalla’s memorial to Siva Singh to mark the 100th anniversary of the first reading of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji on Australian soil. In sport, Benalla’s football and netball players started pre-season training.

January 12

Benalla’s John ‘Jack’ Harrison was awarded a CFA outstanding service medal. Police investigated an armed robbery at a Benalla petrol station. In sport, Benalla Lawn Tennis Club attracted more than 100 players for its annual tournament.

January 19

Police investigated a house fire on Smythe St where a person sadly lost their life. It was a busy week for police who, with the help of police dogs, apprehended alleged farm thieves. In sport, Benalla Racing Club held its annual Kids’ Day Out.

January 26

Benalla’s Keith O’Brien, Robyn Smith and Vince Branigan were named on the Australia Day honours list. Ross Lyman was announced as the Liberal candidate for Indi in the Federal election. The Benalla Saints issued a call to arms, with player registrations below what was expected.

February 2

Benalla’s Good Vibes Whole Foods was robbed by an armed man in broad daylight. The Clarke family celebrated matriarch Cecily’s 80th birthday with a flotilla on Lake Benalla. In sport, it was reported that Benalla’s Becky Webster was ‘making waves’ in the AFLW.

February 9

The Tomorrow Today Foundation awarded four local students with scholarships to assist with the cost of university. Jacqui Kelly was named new chief executive officer of Benalla Health. In sport, the Saints announced player registrations had improved after the club put a call out in January.

February 16

When Ella Bast started her schooling at FCJ College, it marked the fourth generation of her family to attend. She followed in the footsteps of her great-grandmother Peggy Simkin, grandmother Joni Currie and mother Jacqui Bast. In sport, Matt Crittenden defeated Mick Levy to take out the Benalla Gardens Singles Championship.

February 23

Benalla’s historic signal box at the Nunn St level crossing was damaged when a van crashed into it. Filming started on a new Amazon original film at Winton Wetlands. In sport, Benalla’s Thomas Sweeney umpired in the Australian Open.

March 2

North East Artisans announced a merger with the Goulburn and North East Arts Alliance. The popular Swanpool Motor Festival took place with huge crowds and a sea of vehicles on display. The Benalla All Blacks held a mental health awareness event.

March 9

Benalla’s John Holschier announced he would be raising funds for youth mental health charity ReachOut via a sponsored swim. A convoy of new and classic mini cars visited Benalla en route to Sydney from Melbourne. In sport, Zak Best took out first place in round one of the Dunlop Super2 Series.

March 16

Talented para-canoist Natalia Drew-Cole hosted a sausage sizzle to raise funds to help her compete a the Paddle Australia Canoe Sprint National Championships in Sydney. A new committee was formed to welcome new migrants to the Rose City. In sport, Benalla hosted sheepdog trials, with competitors travelling from across Australia to take part.

March 23

Benalla hosted Harmony Day celebrating the Rose City’s multicultural communities. There were several complaints from the community after rules at Churchill Reserve changed, requiring all dogs to be on leads at all times. In sport, it was announced AFL star Heath Shaw would line up for the Saints’ game against Tatura.

March 30

Benalla’s Kelvin and Anne Manning were joined by friends, family, staff and residents of Royal Freemasons Aged Care on their Walk for Parkinson’s fundraiser. They smashed their target, raising $1170. Benalla Rural City Council announced costs associated with the Visitor Information Centre upgrade had increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In sport, the Benalla All Blacks and Goorambat footy teams started their seasons off with wins.

April 6

Benalla SES members were deployed to assist with flood rescues in NSW. The Devenish market celebrated its first birthday. In sport, after a long and gruelling pre-season the Benalla Saints prepared to kick off their season with a trip to Seymour.

April 13

It was announced the Benalla Festival would return in October, after a two-year COVID-enforced hiatus. The life-saving defibrillator outside Bendigo Bank was targeted by vandals. While it was not damaged, the box housing it needed to be repaired. The Benalla Young Sports Person Trust donated $1500 to 17-year-old runner Jess Calvert.

April 20

Benalla’s Tetyana Hooper told The Ensign the story of her parents fleeing war-torn Ukraine. They made it to safety, joining her and sister Lilya and their families in Benalla. Towns across Benalla and district fundraised for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. In sport, Heath Shaw and Ricky Nixon joined the Benalla Saints at the Glasshouse for a special sportsman’s night.

April 27

The Rose City marked Anzac Day. Jack and Lauren Ellis told the story of their one-year-old son Sam and his fight against cancer. In sport, Zak Best made his solo supercars debut.

May 4

A $14.3 million upgrade to Benalla P-12 College’s Faithfull St campus was announced. A quick-thinking truckie managed to disconnnect his prime mover from a trailer-load of hay that went up in flames in Swanpool. In sport, Goorambat Netball Club celebrated Fiona Doig’s 200th game. It also celebrated Kate Nolan’s 150th game.

May 11

Benalla’s Sunnie and Richard Bull announced they would be participating in the Sunshine Walk, which raises money for Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre, after two years of virtual walks due to COVID-19. In sport, the annual Mae O’Shae golf tournament was won by Kerri Paul, Susan Mitchell, Lauri Morgan and Vivienne Swift.

May 18

The Benalla All Blacks supported injured player Kaare Glass and his fiancé Courtney Head with a fundraiser for their daughter Frankie, who was sadly diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, cortical visual impairment, epilepsy, dystonia and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. In sport, Winton Motor Raceway prepared for the Winton Supersprint.

May 25

Independent incumbent candidate Helen Haines was re-elected to the Federal seat of Indi. Benalla Theatre Company performed Mumma Mia! at BPACC. In sport, Shane Van Gisbergen and Cameron Waters duelled it out in round five of the Supercar Championship at Winton Motor Raceway.

June 1

Winton Wetlands launched a new sculpture walk with more than 200 people in attendance. A Benalla woman was found to possess the only known photo of ‘paper pattern queen’ Madam Weigel. The photo is now on display at a gallery celebrating her life’s work in Templin, Queensland. In sport, there were classic cars as far as the eye could see as Winton Motor Raceway hosted its annual Historic Winton event.

June 8

ANZ announced it was closing its Benalla branch, much to the dismay of local customers. The Benalla All Blacks announced they had raised more than $42,000 for Karre Glass and Courtney Herd’s daughter Frankie. In sport, Benalla All Blacks netballer Mel Reaper celebrated her 350th game for the club.

June 15

Benalla breeder Wayne Teichert was found guilty of four animal cruelty charges relating to puppies he bred and sold between 2018 and 2019. Benalla police investigated an alleged hit-and-run in the Denny St car park. In sport, the Benalla Saints secured a memorable win against the Shepparton Swans.

June 22

Young footballers in Benalla and their parents had an opportunity to hear from local mental health advocate Michael Donehue at a special event held at the Lakeside Community Centre. In sport, Zak Best made his SuperCar debut.

June 29

The Benalla Community Services Hub, a one-stop-shop for 11 vital community services, opened on Carrier St. The Lakeside Probus Club celebrated its 30th birthday at the Benalla Bowls Club. In sport, it was announced former Carlton and North Melbourne star Jarrad Waite had signed for the Saints.