Benalla Rural City Who's Who
YOUR COMMUNITY. YOUR CONNECTIONS.
Meet the people behind the place.
Discover the people, businesses and groups who call Benalla Rural City home, and meet members across Australia.
Each Portrait connects you with the public introduction and links that member has chosen to share.
OAK HILL GALLERY
Oak Hill Gallery is a non for profit co-operative with a focus on providing accessible art spaces for all. Based out of the historic Dunns Homstead…
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Distinguished and Famous people from Benalla Rural City
The Benalla district's notable connections include medicine, naval service and the early life of a New Zealand prime minister. Their local stories begin in schools, shops and farms, well before the achievements for which they became widely known.
🤝 Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop
Edward Dunlop grew up on a farm near Stewarton, attended Benalla High School and began a pharmacy apprenticeship in Benalla in 1924. He later studied medicine and represented Australia in rugby union. During the Second World War he became a prisoner of war, treating and defending fellow captives working on the Burma–Thailand railway. His nickname came from the Dunlop tyre name during university initiation, rather than any shortage of energy. After the war he continued medical work and advocacy for former prisoners.
⚓ Hector Waller
Hector 'Hec' Waller was born in Benalla in 1900 and attended its Higher Elementary School. He entered naval college as a cadet and developed a specialisation in communications before becoming a wartime ship commander. His Mediterranean service in HMAS Stuart brought the Distinguished Service Order and a Bar to that award. He later commanded HMAS Perth and was lost when the cruiser was sunk in the Battle of Sunda Strait in March 1942. His naval career began a considerable distance from the sea.
🤝 Michael Joseph Savage
Michael Joseph Savage was born at Tatong near Benalla in 1872. As a young man he worked in a Benalla wine and spirits shop, attended night classes and served as secretary of the local fire brigade. After labouring in the Riverina and working elsewhere in Victoria, he migrated to New Zealand in 1907. He became its prime minister in 1935, heading the country's first Labour government. His district connections include employment and community service as well as a rural birthplace.
