Mary-Lou is top citizen
Mary-Lou Terry was announced as Benalla Rural City's Citizen of the Year at the Australia  Day awards ceremony yesterday. Ms Terry was presented with the award by Mayor  Bill Hill during a ceremony at  the BPACC yesterday, with Young Citizen of  the Year Mitchell Stafford also being acknowledged. Mr Hill lauded the spirit of Benalla and district, saying the award winners and nominees represented a proud and confident community. "We all greatly appreciate the time and talent award winners and nominees have contributed for the good of others," he said."Our community could not achieve what it does without their outstanding efforts."The Benalla Rural City Community Event Of the Year went to the Mick Rodger Act to D-Feet MND initiative, which last year raised more than $ 32.000 for research into Motor Neurone Disease with participation from about 1200 community member.

BENALLA RURAL CITY CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD:
MARY-LOU TERRY

Born in Benalla, Mary-Lou was educated at St Joseph’s Primary School and later attended Benalla High School. Apart from leaving Benalla as a 16 year old to work for several years in Melbourne, and a further two years travelling, Mary-Lou has remained a Benalla resident. To say Mary-Lou is parochial to Benalla is an understatement. Mary-Lou has been involved in too many aspects of Benalla to list. She is well known in the sporting community, particularly basketball, including playing, coaching and fostering the development of young players. Even now Mary-Lou can be seen playing basketball at the age of 50!
However, it is Mary-Lou’s volunteer work that is the primary reason for this award.
The past year alone Mary-Lou has been, and still is, involved in the following activities.
* Emergency Child Foster Care (Upper Murray Family Care):- This program cares for children from age 0-16 who for whatever reason find themselves without a roof to live under, or even just needing respite from their circumstances. Mary-Lou’s ongoing commitment to this program has seen a number of the children that have been under Mary-Lou’s care grow up and continue to maintain contact because Mary-Lou has inspired and motivated them to achieve more than may have been likely.
* Benalla Tourism Committee: – with a passion for tourism in the Benalla area, Mary-Lou has worked tirelessly to promote many levels of tourism for Benalla; including the recent Benalla Festival – providing the ‘famous’ Teddy Bear picnic and face painting.
* Benalla Lakeside Craft Market Committee: – The Benalla Lakeside Craft Market Committee is a not for-profit organisation that provides a monthly market in Benalla. The proceeds of the markets go to various charities and promotions for the Benalla area. Past recipients have included the Skate ‘n’ Jam and Balloon Night Glow events.
* Independent Person, Independent Third Person and YRIPP (Youth Referral and Independent Person Program):- This is a volunteer service provided to assist adults, children and people with a mental impairment when being interviewed or providing statements to police. It includes the provision of assistance, advocacy, and reassurance, within the court process. Since taking on this multi faceted role Mary-Lou has travelled to Shepparton, Benalla and Wangaratta on numerous occasions, often in the middle of the night to support people through this program.
Mary-Lou is a mother of two teenagers, one at Benalla College and the other at Bendigo University and amongst all her commitments still finds time for paid employment.
Mary-Lou Terry is an inspirational and motivated person. We acknowledge her passion for making Benalla a better place to live, and celebrate her many achievements in helping those that need support within our community.

Left the Mayor of Benalla en right: Mary-Lou Terry

bron: Benalla Ensign 27 january 2010
 

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