January 3
Benalla’s Tim Binnie shaved his hair to raise funds for the Kingston Smith Memorial Fund. Kingston was Tim’s three-year-old stepson who sadly passed away.
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Benalla Rural City Council asked for input on a new site for the Benalla Recreation Centre.
James Van Dijk was named the new head coach at the Benalla Swimming Club.
January 10
There was some confusion in Benalla as a new Street Art Festival was announced. At the same time, Wall to Wall, which formerly operated a similar festival, also announced dates.
It turns out Wall to Wall was re-booting in metropolitan Melbourne, while the new festival in Benalla had been rebranded.
The Gliding Club of Victoria announced the Multi-Class Gliding Championships would be held in Benalla.
January 17
The Ensign told the tale of local author Michael O’Brien, who sits by Lake Benalla most mornings watching the ducks and writing his stories.
Jacqui and Paul Creamer welcomed baby Charlie Creamer, on December 11, but reported in this edition.
Benalla Aero Club announced the return of pilot training.
January 24
Benalla’s historic signal box was given a temporary reprieve from demolition when the Better Benalla Rail group gained an interim protection order.
Funding was being sought for a white picket fence to be installed around the Benalla Gardens Oval.
The Multi-Class Gliding Championships, in Benalla, drew pilots from around the world.
January 31
Benalla’s Jenny Wapling was named Citizen of the Year at the Rose City’s Australia Day Awards, with Oliver Hall being named Junior Citizen of the Year.
Benalla’s Vivienne Drew and Sally Gamble were awarded OAMs.
The Ensign told the story of young Benalla glider pilot Ryan Driscoll, who enjoyed participating in a gliding championship in his home town.
February 7
Benalla SES Unit’s driver reviver site was busy saving lives over the Australia Day long weekend.
Local SES stalwart Sue Sheldrick celebrated being awarded an Emergency Services medal on Australia Day.
The Benalla Bushrangers had a good win away in Mansfield.
February 14
Benalla’s Laurie and Jeneine Murray celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at Benalla Bowls Club.
Richard and Anna Gourlay welcomed baby Charli.
The Benalla Rovers planned to get a team ready to compete by the end of the year.
February 21
A spectacular new mural depicting women during wartime was unveiled in Violet Town.
Well-respected local surgeon Dr Peter Thomas retired from Benalla Health.
Benalla’s Hayley Cooper was named a new coach of the Miniroos at the Benalla Rovers.
February 29
Benalla’s Life4Life Crew enjoyed an afternoon of activities at the Glasshouse.
World-renowned artist David Bromley was announced as the headliner for the upcoming Benalla Street Art Festival.
A memorial service was held at the cenotaph in honour of Benalla’s Hec Waller, and the battle of Sunda Strait.
Benalla Hockey Club brought the Hockey Victoria roadshow to Benalla P-12 College’s primary campuses.
March 6
Benalla Mitre 10’s Garden Centre was named best in Australia.
On February 29, Benalla’s Brian Vial turned 21, 84 years after he was born.
Benalla’s Meredith Badrock hit a hole-in-one at the local golf course.
March 13
Benalla’s Tim Bowtell was signed up to be part of the upcoming, rebranded, street art festival.
FCJ College held its third annual International Women’s Day breakfast.
Benalla author Meghan Lindsay had her children’s book, Wild Words, published.
Winton Motor Raceway held an open day with displays of classic cars, on-track demonstrations and more.
March 20
The Ensign celebrated the return of a street art festival to the Rose City for the first time in five years.
Police sought witnesses after a car collided with several others before crashing through a private garage.
Kristy and Stewart McLeod welcomed baby Amelia to Benalla.
Benalla product Becky Webster was named in the Northern Country Women’s League team of the decade.
March 27
The first weekend of the Benalla Street Art Festival arrived to much fanfare.
Benalla’s Mandy Johnson hosted a fundraiser for the Royal Children’s Hospital in advance of its Good Friday Appeal.
The Benalla Bushrangers B-side were crowned premiers.
April 3
Team Vinny raised $6345 for the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Good Friday Appeal. Team Vinny was created after Benalla’s Ricky and Jodi Symes lost their baby boy, Vinny.
Local CFA brigades raised $57,595 for the Good Friday Appeal.
The Benalla Saints failed to get past last season’s premiers Bonnie Doon in their first game of the season.
April 10
Local businesses the Cake Maker’s Daughter and Blooms on Bridge announced a collaboration.
The popular cafe would sell bunches of flowers for Blooms which no longer had a shopfront in the CBD.
Jeff and Jeanette Berry celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Benalla Saints netballer Bridget Hill celebrated her 150th game for the club.
April 17
South-East Asian new year was celebrated at Benalla Town Hall.
Mayor Danny Claridge hailed the 2024 Benalla Street Art Festival a big success.
Benalla’s L2P program celebrated its 200th driver getting their license.
Benalla’s junior hockey players had an opportunity to take part in a training academy.
April 24
The Victorian Government investigated a ‘high level of absenteeism’ among Benalla students.
Benalla Theatre company announced its next show would be Mystery on the Orient Express.
Former Geelong Football Club captain Sam Newman spoke at a Benalla Saints function.
May 1
Benalla turned out in force to honour veterans on Anzac Day.
Auskick returned to the Arundel St Oval.
May 8
An all-abilities football carnival took place at the Benalla Showgrounds.
The Freemasons donated $10,000 to the Benalla P-12 students’ Kokoda Trek.
Sally and Sean Buckley welcomed baby Ciara Rose to Benalla.
The Jubilee Golf Club won the annual Maie O’Shea trophy at Benalla Golf Club.
May 15
The Ensign celebrated National Volunteer Week.
A man was arrested after a Benalla woman was allegedly hit by an electric scooter in Melbourne.
The Red Cross launched its Red Shield Appeal.
May 22
A memorial sculpture was created honouring Benalla’s Arthur Baird, who helped launch the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Qantas.
GMCU hosted a morning tea raising money for cancer support.
Crowds from across the country flocked to the 47th annual Historic Winton.
May 29
Benalla’s Live4Life youth mental health training program received a cheque for $1000 by Gayle Golonski on behalf of the Lockie Project.
The Benalla Woodworkers Association celebrated its 40th birthday.
Benalla squash players took part in the Hopman Cup.
June 5
Police sought assistance after a person was allegedly shot at a Ballintine St property.
FCJ College students prepared for the annual ‘Let’s find our voice’ concert.
Michale Levy and Patrick Nielson won their respective semi-finals to make the final of the Benalla Garden Tennis Club Championship.
June 12
Benalla’s Carmyl Winkler received an OAM on the King’s Birthday Honours list.
Benalla P-12 College announced its Clarke St Campus would close.
Travis Cook was named new track manager at Benalla Racing Club.
June 19
Tomorrow Today distributed $46,000 in grants to local community groups.
The Benalla Bushwalking Club took a trek to Mt Buffalo.
Benalla Gymnastic Club held an in-house competition to allow members to develop key skills.
June 26
Benalla Doctor Xavier O’Kane raised funds for disadvantaged children by tackling a 10km obstacle course.
Doug and Marjorie Gleeson celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.
The Saints defeated Tatura in the GVL.
Editor