Benalla’s beautiful Glasshouse, overlooking the showgrounds and lake, was the backdrop for the meeting.
The event not only saw a new committee and president elected, but also celebrated the community groups and initiatives funded by the club.
This year saw more than $60,00 raised by Rotary and distributed to the local community, $20,000 of which was given to Cooinda Aged Care.
The big announcement at the event was the appointment of the club’s next president - Denise Durance.
Benalla Rotary board 2026-27
President - Denise Durance
Secretary - Margot Sherwill
Treasurer - Michael Schultz
Community Service - Neill Smith
Admin – Jenny Bickerdike
International co-directors – Colin McDonald and Hayley Shelton
New Generations – Past president Di Murphy
Foundation – Amanda Challis
Environment – Ann Kimberley
Membership - Kellee Middleton
Vocation – Brad Hearn
In a speech welcoming Ms Durance, outgoing president Di Murphy spoke of her history.
“Our incoming president has dedicated her life to service, community above self, family and caring for others, values that align perfectly with the ideals of Rotary but more importantly to the people of Benalla and the people of the Rotary Club of Benalla,” Ms Murphy told those in attendance.
“She spent her early childhood on a farm near Numurkah before her family moved to a larger grazing, cropping and wool-producing property in NSW. A farming childhood that ensured life lessons in resilience and work ethic.
“(She) has been a Psychiatric Nurse in a Hospital in Bundoora...
“She later completed General Nursing at the Western General Hospital in Footscray.
“Her nursing career has been distinguished by leadership and a commitment to improving the lives of others.
“While working in senior nursing roles, she discovered Rotary and joined the Rotary Club of Pambula in 1999.
“Rotary quickly became another avenue through which she could serve. She held board positions and became involved in a range of projects.
“In 2004, she returned to Victoria and settled in Benalla, where she joined Benalla Health, working in a variety of nursing roles and later undertaking a Graduate Diploma of Midwifery.
“For many years she supported local families as a midwife, helping welcome countless new lives into our local community ...
“Although she moved to Wangaratta in 2012, her connection to the Rotary Club of Benalla remained strong, and she continued her membership and active involvement in the club.
“Over the years she has served on the board, contributed to numerous projects and become a valued and respected member of (Benalla’s) Rotary family.
In 2025, she and her husband returned to live in Benalla. She took a job working as a casual Registered Nurse at Cooinda Aged Care, continuing a lifelong commitment to caring for others.
“Throughout her life, whether as a nurse, midwife, volunteer, Rotarian, wife, mother or grandmother, she has consistently demonstrated compassion, leadership and a genuine commitment to welcoming and supporting others,” Ms Murphy said.
“These qualities, these skills and more importantly these trademark characteristics make her exceptionally well suited to lead the Rotary Club of Benalla.”
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