The celebration also coincided with the 20^th anniversary of the planting of a lilly pilly tree, the centrepiece of Boomerang Gardens, during NAIDOC Week in 1997.

The tree was planted by Aboriginal elders Uncle Ben Brown and Aunty Eily Pitman.

Her daughter, Aunty Bev Armer helped unveil a plaque on Tuesday, May 30 to mark the anniversary, standing under the tree her mother planted two decades before.

“My mum passed away here in 1999, they were so lovely and kind to us here,” she said.

“The whole of the Shoalhaven couldn’t believe that mum had passed on. The staff here are just so loving and caring. 

“When we lose someone we love, especially in our Aboriginal culture, it’s felt countrywide. Coming back here today it brought back a lot of sad memories and happy memories.”

Aunty Eily was a well-known figure in the Shoalhaven, who advocated strongly for Aboriginal people in the battle for better housing and education.

“She left a lot of love with us, we didn’t have much when we were growing up but we had a lot of love,” Aunty Bev said.

“I’ve got two of my brothers here today, my sister and her grandchildren and my daughter and granddaughter here, and we were all here 18 years ago.”

In 2013 Aunty Bev was named the female Aboriginal elder of the year at the region’s NAIDOC Week awards in Wollongong.

She was recognised for her role in many community projects and events, intergenerational storytelling projects and encouraging young children to connect to their culture and Aboriginal heritage.

“It makes me proud to see our community from the Shoalhaven and the Illawarra here today and pay their respects,” she said. 

“That was a word used when mum and also Uncle Ben were in here – the respect we got from the whole of the Shoalhaven and Illawarra communities.

“There’s lots of avenues we can go now with area health, and it’s going to get better. It’s come a long, long way.

“I’m 73 now and I can see the changes. What I’m doing with Uncle Gerald now, is taking up the fight of our elders, who fought for better health, better conditions and employment for our young ones.

“It’s been a long fight but we’re getting there.”