Two years of planning to build a Heritage Centre to showcase the region’s Aboriginal, early pioneer, pastoral and multi-cultural history has finally paid off for the Snowy Alpine Heritage Centre Committee now it has secured land and finance.

Committee secretary and public officer David Shelly said Snowy Hydro Limited had donated several hectares of land to the group and the a business plan for the Heritage Centre was being developed with the aid of GHD Partners in Canberra.

The group is now completing the formal requirements such as registering and incorporating as the Snowy Alpine Heritage Association.

Mr Shelley said late last year an agreement was reached in principle for land with Snowy Hydro and in February of this year formal agreement was reached for several hectares of land for the project.

“We thank Snowy Hydro for their generous support and assistance.”

In response Snowy Hydro Limited CEO Terry Charlton congratulated the committee on its work so far.

“Snowy Hydro is pleased to be able to support this community project and I am confident that this facility will become a major attraction for the region,” Mr Charlton said.

The committee is led by chairman Tom Barry, treasurer Brian Farmer and its members include Leisa Caldwell, Richard Nutt, Greta Jones and Jack Kahler.

“This Heritage Centre will also showcase such great feats as the Snowy Mountains Scheme, the history of Skiing, the stories of the high country cattlemen and Man from Snowy River Heritage,” Mr Barry said.

“Our local stories and history are unique to our area but of importance and revered by the entire country. Much of our local history in fact helped build the Australian identity that we know today.

“We have a responsibility to instil an appreciation of what that proud Australian character is in both our young people and those who choose to come to Australia from overseas,” Mr Barry said.