Happy new year Benalla. Part two of our Year in Review 2022 covers July to December.
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If you missed part one in out December 21 edition you can access it via www.benallaensign.com.au
July 6
Popular Nationals Member for Euroa Steph Ryan announced she would step away from politics at the upcoming November election. Katandra man Ethan Jones, 28, who robbed a Benalla store with a knife whilst a woman was working alone was convicted and fined $5000. Benalla trio Keeley Skepper, Sophia McCarthy and Cassidy Mailer were drafted to the AFLW.
July 13
DEWLP Benalla farewelled long-term employees Dave Donehue and Don Wellington after a combined 81 years of service. The development of Benalla’s Aboriginal garden neared completion. Benalla’s Wally Armstrong was named Violet Town’s Senior football coach for the 2023 season.
July 20
Young Tomorrow Today PEEP participants celebrated NAIDOC week with a range of activities. The Spirit of CFA awards were held honouring firefighters from across theregion. The Benalla Saints pulled off an impressive Victory against Tatura.
July 27
Benalla’s Mia Begley was presented with a $1000 travel voucher after entering a Benalla Ensign Competition. She planned to spend it on a trip to Japan. Benalla Mayor Bernie Hearn spoke out about the closure of the local Centrelink office. Benalla’s Maddison Gray was part of the Shepparton Swans team that took out the NCWL Youth Girls Grand Final.
August 3
Youngsters at schools across Benalla celebrated 100 days of prep. Ground was broken on the contentious Visitor Information Centre redevelopment. Benalla driver Zak Best started in pole position in race 21 of the Supercars Championship.
August 10
Thieves stole some of the yarnbombing volunteers had installed around Benalla’s CBD. Benalla All-Black Lachy Thompson booted his way into the record books with an impressive 19 goals against Tarrawingee. Benalla’s Becky Webster was named one of a six-woman leadership team at the Geelong Cats.
August 17
A teenager who wielded a shotgun while demanding cash and cigarettes from a Benalla petrol station was eventually apprehended after attempting to escape police by swimming across the Murray River. Benalla Rural City had the second highest rate of COVID-19 per capita in Victoria. The Benalla All-Blacks finished as minor premiers after a final-round win over Goorambat.
August 24
Erin Louise Aesthetics and Cooinda Aged Care chief executive officer Alex McKenna were nominated for the Victorian Community Achievement Awards. Liberal Candidate for the State seat of Euroa Brad Hearn backed a call for a review of council rates. The Benalla Wolfpack Rugby League Women’s side booked a place in the Murray Cup grand final.
August 31
An air show was announced as part of the upcoming Benalla Festival. New school zone speed limits were introduced on Goodwin St. It was announced that actor and musician Alyce Platt would perform in Tatong. The Benalla Saints welcomed Jarred Waite and Tom Downie for their final game of the season against Euroa.
September 7
A teenager who held up a Benalla petrol station was sentenced to two years in custody. The historic Kelly cell, housed in the Costume and Kelly Museum was craned into a new position as part of the Visitor Information Centre redevelopment. Junior footballers from Benalla Rural City cleaned up at the Wangaratta and district Junior Football League annual awards.
September 14
Mental Health advocate Michale Donehue spoke to workers at Schneider Electric as part of RUOK? Day. Retired Benalla policeman Ian Wise was recognised with a national police service medal. Seven Benalla jiu jitsu enthusiasts took part in the Will Machado Australasian jiu jitsu championships, with all achieving a podium finish.
September 21
Benalla SES warned local people to prepare for flooding in the upcoming months. The Benalla All-Blacks overcame wet and slippery conditions to claim its first Ovens and King football league senior premiership title. The All-Blacks reserves also won their grand final, securing the teams first reserve flag since 1995.
September 28
Benalla’s Sarah Bismire visited the Benalla Migrant Camp as part of her studies for a Bachelor of Arts at Melbourne University. SES planned to host a flood preparedness meeting to get community ready for potential flooding. Benalla AFL star Tom Rockliffe was part of the ownership group of Not usual Glorious, which took out the Gold Cup at Benalla Racing Club.
October 5
Young Benalla chef Windi Juli Safitri took out a bronze medal at the highly contested Les Torques Blanches awards. This was only weeks after she took out another bronze medal at the Australian Fine Food Awards 2022. Benalla’s Arcade Hair celebrated its 70th birthday. Benalla’s Zak Best prepared to race at the Bathurst 1000.
October 12
A Benalla business owner lept into action to help after two dogs attacked a family Labrador on Church St. Benalla Rural City welcomed six new citizens at a ceremony held at the art gallery. Zak Best secured a round win in the Super 2 Championships at Mount Panorama.
October 19
Benalla was hit by its worst flooding in a decade. Luckily the Rose City avoided a repeat of 1993, with only a handful of houses going under. Benalla’s Mitre 10 was recognised as having the best garden centre across Victoria and Tasmania. The Benalla Show was cancelled because of flooding. There was no sport taking place this week with virtually all sporting venues in the Rose City under water.
October 26
Beryl Wallace was named School crossing supervisor of the year after helping Benalla students safely cross the road for 23 years. As flood waters receded SES warned the community to stay vigilant with more wet weather forecast. Several Benalla Festival events were cancelled in light of recent flooding. The Benalla All-Blacks held its night of nights event celebrating players, coaches and volunteers.
November 2
Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE announced it would be moving into the old ANZ building on Bridge St. Several Benalla businesses were evacuated after smoke was detected coming from the roof of a building on Bridge St. The Coalition pledged $10 to redevelop Benalla’s indoor recreation centre, if elected.
November 9
Benalla celebrated the end of it’s first festival in two years with a spectacular fireworks display. A teenage girl was left distressed after police with their guns drawn confronted her in a case of mistaken identity. Benalla Golf Club was able to install three new benches thanks to a Benalla Rural City Council grant.
November 16
Benalla paid respect to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country on Remembrance Day. Benalla’s Bel Cook and her team of 15 digital ninjas perfected their drone light show technology. The Benalla Short Film Festival was hailed a big success. Early voting in the State election opened on Fawckner Drive. The Benalla Bushrangers were headed for a win against the Beechworth Wanderers until rain stopped play, leading to a draw.
November 23
A Benalla mum was ecstatic to discover an old lottery ticket in her car, which included a division one win of more than $580,000. Tomorrow Today’s Full Impact Squad, a group of local teenagers, gave Lake Benalla a spring clean. The Benalla Bushrangers under-16s fell just 5 runs short of victory against the City Colts.
November 30
Annabelle Cleelend retained the seat of Euroa for the Nationals, while Labor retained a majority government in Victoria. The body of a man was discovered on a rural road in Devenish. Winton Motor Raceway confirmed it would not be holding a round of the Supercar Championships in 2023, much to the disappointment of local racing fans.
December 7
Benalla Rural City Council confirmed the Benalla Airshow, cited to be part of the Benalla festival before being cancelled because of flooding, would take place in March. An element of the cancelled Benalla Show was able to take place this week with the Benalla Dog show returning to the showgrounds. Zak Best finished second in the Super2 Series finale in Adelaide.
December 14
Much-loved rural outreach worker Ivan Lister announced he was stepping away from the role and a special afternoon tea was held for him at the Benalla Art Gallery. Benalla P-12 college captains Harrison Drury and Georgia Nichols were named the schools Dux and runner-up. Popular retailer 7-Eleven announced plans to open a 24-hour petrol station and convenience store in Benalla. FCJ college student Finn Walsh was named Dux of the school with an impressive 98.55 ATAR. Miranda Bennett was runner-up with 97.3. The school also recognised high achievers Ashlie McPhee (84.7) and Georgier Burke (82.9). The Benalla Breakers continued their great start to the season with another two wins.
December 21
Benalla P-12 College students celebrated graduation with a special ceremony for friends and family at the Glasshouse. The Benalla community were divided over plans for a 7-Eleven in the Rose city with some citing opposition based on the proposed location being near retirement apartments. There were some impressive outfits on display at the Benalla Christmas races.
Benalla Ensign