Benalla has three locals on Australia Day honours list

Vincent Branigan has also received an OAM, for service to the community of Benalla.

And Keith O’Brien has been honoured with an Emergency Services Medal for his years of work with SES.

All three will receive their honours at an official event at Government house later in the year.

And all are keen to celebrate the achievement, having been sworn to secrecy until the official announcement today.

The Ensign spoke to Robyn, Keith and Vince on Monday, January 24, about what it meant to receive such an honour.

Robyn Smith

Many in Benalla will know Ms Smith from her work to help establish the annual Walk to DFeet MND.

While that event has had a COVID-19-enforced break it has been running since 2008.

On top of that she is a former president of Benalla Little Athletics, and has coached the Benalla Saints Netball team as well as coaching and playing at state level.

However, her work to help people with disability achieve their sporting dreams is the reason she is being honoured.

Ms Smith said it was an honour to hear she would receive an OAM on Australia Day.

“You find out a fair bit before Australia Day and it has been hard to keep it a secret,” Ms Smith said.

"I’ve been working in the sport admin area for people with a disability for a very long time, so it’s a nice honour.

“My mentor Marie Little OAM, she founded Sport Inclusion Australia (formerly AUSRAPID) and I basically became its first CEO in 1991.

"Then in 2011 I Was invited onto the national body called Virtus, where I was elected as vice-president in 2013.

“So I’ve been on the international body, Virtus, for some time and it’s a founding member of The International Paralympic committee (IPC) which looks after elite pathways for athletes with an intellectual impairment.

“And recently I’ve been elected to the international Paralympic Governing board.

“Then with the IPC governing board election I get a seat on the Brisbane 2032 Olympic organising committee for the Olympics and Paralympics.”

Ms Smith is also a life member of the Goulburn Valley Netball Association, was Benalla Rural City Citizen of the year in 2011 and has a long list of achievements to her name.

Vincent Branigan

Vincent Branigan is known to many in the Rose City as a beloved teacher and mentor.

In his time he has held roles at the former Benalla Technical School, Benalla College and FCJ College.

In more recent years he has moved to roles in Euroa and Shepparton.

He is also involved in a number of local groups where he has been volunteering for many years.

Mr Branigan heard he was being considered for an Australia Day honour back in September, 2021.

“I got an email asking if I would accept an OAM,” Mr Branigan said.

“Naturally I emailed back and said yes, I’d be honoured.

“I’m not sure who nominated me but I suspect it was my daughter. She was the one who nominated me when I was Benalla Citizen of the year in 2017.”

Mr Branigan is being honoured for his service to the community of Benalla — where he has volunteered for many years.

“I was the Benalla Lawn Tennis and croquet club president for 12 years and secretary for three.

“In that time I had a lot of involvement with junior Tennis, particular the hot shots program.

“I was president of the St Vincent de Paul Society, Benalla, for four years, and a member for seven.”

Mr Branigan has also been a member of the Benalla Festival Organising Committee since 2012.

“In that role I’ve instituted writing competitions, historical walks, and cemetery walks,” he said.

“And since 2015 I’ve been involved with Tomorrow Today’s Connect 9 program.

“That is a great initiative, which is really good at keeping kids on track and getting them through to Year 12.”

Mr Branigan was also awarded the Teacher Who Matters award from the Victorian Institute of Teaching in 2011.

Keith O’Brien

Mr O’Brien has been a senior leader of the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) for more than three decades and displays exceptional leadership and commitment.

He led the evolution of flood-response planning and operations, including the development of a range of flood operations tools and templates, and he was influential in establishing and accrediting the first flood behaviour specialists from a range of industry partners.

In his role he has represented VICSES on various projects including the Victorian Flood Zoom, from its conception through to implementation, resulting in a centralised flood intelligence platform that has significantly changed and improved Victoria's response to major flooding events.

Mr O’Brien was instrumental in the development of the first Australia-wide curriculum for Land Search Operations competency, and conducted the first pilot course in Victoria.

On top of that he was also a member of the NSW and Victorian working party that developed the Alpine Search and Survival Course.

His commitment to the development of staff and volunteers in incident management has resulted in his team responding to many large-scale operational events in Victorian and nationwide.

He is highly respected by all who have worked with him and his commitment to VICSES is of the highest order.

Mr O’Brien said he was excited to hear he would receive an Emergency Services Medal — which he described as the highest honour VICSES members are nominated for.

“It’s very much a privilege given that I only do what I do with the great work of the volunteers and staff I’ve worked with in my time with SES,” Mr O’Brien said.

“I really want to thank my family, who have contributed significantly to my ability to do the work I’ve done as both a volunteer and staff member.

“And I’d also like to thank the fantastic volunteers and staff I’ve worked with.”

Anyone can nominate any Australian for an award in the Order of Australia. If you know someone worthy, nominate them now at www.gg.gov.au