Representatives from each of those organisations, along with numerous members of the wider community, gathered on Friday, July 23, at the Bega Civic Centre to celebrate the occasion.

Djiringanj Elder Aunty Colleen Dixon gave the Welcome to Country before Uncle Warren Foster and the Gulaga Dancers performed several traditional dances and a smoking ceremony to welcome guests and drive away negative energy.

Indoors, a photo exhibition from the Bega Valley Library Services collection was on display, showcasing portraits of many Indigenous people from the Wallaga Lake and Bermagui regions.

Informative banners also outlined the historic signing of the MOU between the BVSC and Bega, Eden, and Merrimans Lands Councils.

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Fomer Bega Valley councillor and now federal Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain said the Valley was the first local government area to officially acknowledge a partnership between council and the region's Indigenous people.

Current mayor Russell Fitzpatrick said the signing of an MOU on June 13, 2001 "ensured commitment to cross-cultural relationships and increased opportunities for Aboriginal community members through improved cultural understanding and collaboration".

"In real terms this includes working in partnership to increase opportunities in cultural tourism, identifying and appropriately managing lands of cultural significance, identifying development opportunities for Aboriginal lands to achieve social and economic growth and ensuring Aboriginal culture and heritage are considered in all construction, development and civil works projects across the shire," Cr Fitzpatrick said.

"There is also a focus on young Aboriginal people, reconciliation, addressing social, economic or cultural disadvantage and the ongoing review of the MOU by a representative Council Committee."

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Cr Fitzpatrick said there had been many achievements over the past 20 years of which the LALCs and council are proud to commemorate.

"These include the Koori Heritage Stories, a record of the histories of more than 40 Koori elders from the Bega Valley Shire, and an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Landscape Map of areas with a high probability of Aboriginal cultural heritage values across the shire."