Benalla is situated in North Eastern Victoria on the Broken River, by the Hume Freeway and rail link between Melbourne & Sydney, approximately 200 kms north of Melbourne. The official population of Rural City of Benalla is about 14,500.
Benalla Rural City includes the township of Benalla and the communities of Baddaginnie, Devenish, Goorambat, Swanpool, Tatong, Thoona, and Winton.
It was first sighted by Europeans during an expedition of Hamilton Hume and William Hovell in 1824, when the area, first named "Swampy" was noted as agricultural settlement. The expedition was followed by that of Major Thomas Mitchell in 1834.
Reverend Joseph Docker settled in 1838 creating a pastoral run called Benalta Run, said to be from an Aboriginal word for musk duck. An attack by indigenous people on the camp of sheep herders George and William Faithful became known as the Faithful Massacre; eight settlers were killed in the incident. Following the massacre in 1839 a police station was established and the name of the settlement became Broken River.
The post office opened on 1 December 1844 originally named Broken River[3]
A bridge was built over the Broken River in 1847, the following year the town was surveyed. In 1861 it was proclaimed a town.
Why Benalla - chance!
Benalla was often referred to as a State Government town as many State Government Departments were based in Benalla, that was later subject to reorganisation. In January 1981, I was appointed to the regional office in Benalla as an Inspector, soon to be changed to the more acceptable title of Regional Nursing Advisor. The departments were revised on the election of the political party ... Health Department; Health & Community Services; Community Services & so the list goes on. The regional boundaries also changed; at times my area spread from Kyabram northern Victoria to Khancoban NSW to Kinglake and Kilmore in the south of Victoria. This nursing position also evolved to include varied age groups "from the cradle to the grave", an interesting part of my career.
Due to a number of circumstances, I spent little time in Benalla between 1981 and 1993, so when I decided it was time for retirement ... I stayed in Benalla to get to know the city and the residents!
I soon discovered the people of Benalla and surrounding areas had a wealth of knowledge and skills they were willing to share; they had vision and enthusiasm and worked together as a community ... what more could one ask?
Some interesting places
Benalla Botanical Gardens
The Benalla Botanical Gardens, on the shores of Lake Benalla, were designed and developed in 1886-7 by Alfred Sangwell and are listed on the Register of the National Estate in 1995. They are significant because much of their original layout remains intact and are notably unusual for their combination of ornamental gardens, with a large oval described as the most picturesque cricket ground in the country.The Rose Garden, first established in 1959, is an icon in Benalla. Rose fanciers will find a notable collection of modern varieties, including Australian roses, seldom found in public gardens. Extensive lawns sweep down to Lake Benalla, creating an open parkland beneath the trees, which were part of the original planting. Wide curving pathways meander through beds of shrubs and perennial plantings. The Gardens connect to the Lake Benalla Walk which traverses 4.2 kilometres of diverse and picturesque landscapes including remnant river red gum forest and the Indigenous Community Gardens.
Benalla Art Gallery
Benalla Art Gallery: Housed in a purpose built, architect designed building on the banks of Lake Benalla, the Benalla Art Gallery has become an cultural and architectural icon of northeast Victoria since it opened in 1975.The Gallery presents a diverse, high quality exhibition program to inspire and engage audiences. Our exhibitions are supported by a dynamic range of public programs of workshops, talks and events designed to provide a direct experience and deeper understanding of making and thinking about art. Our philosophy is to explore new modes of art practice in context with the traditions, innovations and practitioners of the past. The Benalla Art Gallery Collection includes painting, printmaking, works on paper, photography, textiles, ceramics, sculpture and decorative arts spanning three centuries of Australian art. The Ledger Collection focuses on Australian art from the 19th and early 20th centuries with an emphasis on the colonial and impressionist periods. The collection continues to develop with recent acquisitions including outstanding Indigenous and contemporary Australian artworks.
The structure includes an amphitheatre, viewing platform and two sets of sound pipes (Thongaphones) for performances.
The mural project started as a community arts project in 1983 under the auspices of Forum (later, The Centre). Funding from the Australia Council Community Arts Board saw the appointment of Judy Lorraine as Artist-in-Residence. Further funding from the Commonwealth Government in 1985 enabled a workshop to be set up at the Benalla Aerodrome. Opportunities for all skill levels encouraged the community to participate in creating the ceramic forms. Local primary school children helped design the clay pavers which surround the circular entrance seat.
In 1988, a grant from the Australian Bicentennial Authority enabled the appointment of noted Australian ceramic artists to complete the "cave seats" in the colonnade.
After twenty seven years in the making, hundreds of people participated in its creations over this time, with many creating their own unique piece.
Benalla Wall to Wall Art
Congratulations to the inaugural event/organisers 27 - 29 March 2015. 2018 - The Honourable John Eren MP Minister for Tourism and Major Events stated “ Benalla is once again transformed by the incredible world of renown international and local street artists”.
Benalla Aquatic Centre
The Benalla Aquatic Centre caters for all ages and all needs. The facility features an indoor, heated complex including a 25m pool, hydrotherapy pool and toddlers' pool as well as an outdoor complex, including a 50m pool open during summer.
The centre offers a variety of programs including aqua aerobics, aqua movers (gentle exercise), swim lessons, swim squads, gymnasium, triathlons and holiday programs.
WHAT I ENJOY ABOUT SWIMMING No competition or formality for me, I find slow swimming a great way to relax; head in the water, concentrating on the stroke & breathing, just mindful of the moment. I particularly like early morning during summer in the outdoor pool doing my style of backstroke looking up at the sky & the clouds rolling by.
Benalla Migrant Camp
The Benalla Migrant Camp 1949-1967 This unique exhibition of photos and artefacts telling of life at the Benalla Migrant Camp 1949-1967. Find us at Hut 11 at Benalla Airport in Samaria Road.
The Benalla Migrant Camp was in operation from September 1949 to the mid 1960s. The Department of Immigration estimates that during these years 60,000 migrants passed through its gates, many making Benalla their first Australian home for a number of years. Today only a few of the accommodation and service buildings are still left on the original site.
This exhibition attempts to capture the story of the Benalla Migrant Camp, before it is lost forever. Housed in an original accommodation building 'Hut 11', photos and artefacts contributed by former migrant resident families tell of life at the camp in a most authentic, moving way.
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The Gliding Club of Victoria - Benalla
The Benalla Gliding Club is the largest gliding club in Australia, attracting pilots from around the globe to experience the area’s world renowned flying conditions.
Modern single and two-seat fleet, 4 tow planes, skilled instructors, record breaking pilots, great facilities and a friendly environment make it the ideal spot to learn how to fly.