A CEREMONY honouring Ruth Kneebone, who was announced Australian Citizen of the Year for the Rural City of Wangaratta earlier this year, took place at the Marmungun Rock on Sunday.

With the morning sunlight peering through the gum trees upon the rock, and in the surroundings of smoke from a fire lit on top of the rock, Ruth was recognised for her years of volunteer community service within the community.

Ruth is currently a director on the board of NHW, the treasurer of the Everton Tennis Club, and the president of the Everton Hall and Sports Complex committee.

She recently retired from her position of chair of the Into Our Hands Community Foundation.

Ruth said that intertwining Australia Day, a day that which has become quite contentious, with a ceremony holding such a profound meaning for our Indigenous community, to be held in Reconciliation Week and this year on Sorry Day, was the perfect gesture of reconciliation.

"I find it to be a very powerful symbol of the importance of community to all of us, the meaning of Marmungun being of this group or closest to community," Ruth said.

"When I think what motivates me when it comes to these things is firstly the example set by my parents, secondly I support the things I like and care deeply about, and thirdly just because it's good and right."

Mayor Dean Rees said the ceremony was "meaningful and significant" and a symbol of reconciliation in our community.

He paid tribute to Ruth Kneebone for her lifetime of service to the Wangaratta community and described her as a dedicated volunteer and an active community member across numerous organisations.

"Her impact on these organisations has been significant, she continues to devote herself to these causes and support them to grow and stay relevant in today's society," he said.

"She's an incredible example of a regional leader and has used her skills and expertise in these areas of finance and governance to improve the organisations she works and volunteers for."

Ruth is the ninth local to have their handprint carved into the Marmungun Rock and Darren Moffit from the Dirrawarra Indigenous Network said the handprints acknowledge her work and also that of past award recipients.

"Uncle Wally Cooper, a significant, well-respected Elder in these parts, worked a lot for reconciliation and he came up with the idea to have handprints carved into a rock to honour local people," he said.

"Local people who have a significant connection to their local community and have given community service."

Jesse Cooper is going to continue the legacy of carving the handprints and this will have the role stay within the Cooper family.

Darren said the rock has a totem animal - a koala carved into it - and this is the main totem animal of the Bangerang people.

"There are other rocks around the main rock which act as protectors, which also have animals carved into them, including the pelican, long-necked cormorant, goanna, possum and the kangaroo," he said.