About the Bega Electorate
The Electorate
The Legislative Assembly District of Bega has a population of 66,592 (46,253 Australian citizens 18+) and occupies an area of 9,785 square kilometres.
Bega is a regional electorate in the southeastern corner of the state. It encompasses the entirety of Bega Valley Shire and Eurobodalla Shire. Its population centres include Bega, Tathra, Merimbula, Eden, Bemboka, Eurobodalla Shire, Moruya, Batemans Bay and Narooma.
Origin of Bega
When the Imlay Brothers, some of the earliest settlers in the district, arrived in 1839 they established a property which they named Biggah which is thought to be a Yuin word meaning either "big camping ground" or "beautiful". A few years later the spelling was changed to Bega.
The South Coast is Yuin country, but First Nations people on the South Coast come from a number of different groups including Brinja-Yuin, Budawang, Jerrinja, Murramarang, Walbunja, Wandandian, Wodi Wodi, Yuin and Yuin-Monaro. The South Coast also offers numerous Aboriginal cultural experiences, everything from fine art and ancient artefacts to walking trails along Songlines and guided tours of country.
To find out more about what our region offers, you can visit our Local Shire Council websites below:
