Liz Chapman OAM - Benalla Achiever of 2022

In October 2021 Liz Chapman OAM was farewelled as a member of the Board of Tomorrow Today and Convenor of the Education Benalla Program after an extraordinary 21 year volunteer contribution to Benalla.

Liz led the Foundation’s initial establishment, was inaugural Chair and has been a key member of the Tomorrow Today Board since it formed. In 2007 the ‘Vinson Report’ identified Benalla as highly disadvantaged and shone a light on the fact that kids in underprivileged areas generally have worse outcomes in life. Determined that something be done about this injustice, Liz saw that the report also pointed to the solution – education was the key to breaking the cycle of disadvantage.

As a result of the huge amount of work that followed, the Education Benalla Program began in early 2010. Many people have contributed to the success of the Education Benalla Program, yet without Liz’s strong and steady leadership none of this would have been possible.

From the earliest discussions about forming a community foundation to the present level of coordinated activity that is improving healthy child development and educational outcomes in Benalla. This would not have been possible without Liz dreaming big and contributing so generously to a stronger future for our community.