The celebration in Bega will be held in the freshly landscaped gardens and play host to numerous community organisations, the SCPA market, local buskers and a visit from Santa.

Mayor Bill Taylor said the event will mark the completion of stage one, with the community invited to enjoy the relaxing surrounds of the new-look gardens.

“It’s a great pleasure to be opening this important public space for the community to enjoy,” he said.

“The new-look gardens are the product of extensive consultation with the community. 

“Of course the test for creating an open space that people will use and enjoy is to stroll through on a sunny day and see how many people are using the gardens as intended.

“I’m pleased to report that on my many visits to town I have witnessed lots of people enjoying the new-look Littleton Gardens in many ways, be that sitting in the sun, relaxing on a bench and reading a book during a lunch break, or running through the new fountain, which has already become something of a local sport.

“There is also a level of detail in the gardens that many people will enjoy, from the Bega Pioneers’ Museum providing old photographs for the water bubbler, to the inlaid metal wallaby tracks crossing over the meandering path,” Cr Taylor said.

Celebrations start at 9am with a Welcome to Country, traditional smoking ceremony, mayoral address and official opening of the gardens.

Community Day activities follow from 9.30am with Campbell Page, Auswide Projects, Bega Police, Far South Coast Family Support Service, Local Aboriginal Lands Council, Office of Communities, University of Wollongong and the Women’s Resource Centre all offering a range of activities.

The Bega Valley Shire Council will host potted food garden workshops put on by its Live Life team, who will also have a range of garden giveaways.

Santa will make an appearance from 11am until noon.

Busking entertainment will be provided by Bega High School students and local musicians Jamie Forbes and Andrew Gray.

At noon the gardens will host the One Billion Rising street dance coordinated by the Women’s Resource Centre.

The opening and community day will run concurrently with the Friday SCPA market.