A PETITION to have the signage removed at three locations in the region and change wording from 'Welcome to Yorta Yorta Country' to 'Welcome to Bpangerang Country' was tabled with Rural City of Wangaratta councillors at their July meeting this week.

Eldorado resident Roxanne Bodsworth created a petition online and received 263 signatures within four days in support of changing signage at Everton, Wangandary Road and Chiltern, in what she believes would best reflect the Bpangerang peoples' connection to the area.

Council chief executive officer Brendan McGrath acknowledged that Yorta Yorta are the RAP (Registered Aboriginal Party) for this area and that it was clear there are parts of the community who strongly support the Bpangerang people as the Traditional Owners of the land.

"Our suggestion is that we pass this petition on to the Department of Transport and Regional Roads Victoria and enter into discussions about the appropriate way to treat it," he said.

Dr Bodsworth said the great majority of signatures were from residents of the Wangaratta area and others from those who had close connections.

While not of Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islander decent herself, Dr Bodsworth initiated the petition in respect of elders past and present with whom she had close connections.

She went to school with the Dowling brothers whose father Freddie was a Bpangerang Elder and strong advocate for his people, and also worked on different projects with Uncle Eddie Kneebone and Uncle Wally Cooper.

A life–long resident of the region, Dr Bodsworth said she, like many people in Wangaratta, grew up knowing the story of Mary Jane Milawa and that the Pangerang were the local Aboriginal inhabitants.

She remembers a gathering at Apex Park with community members acknowledging that the Bpangerang were custodians of the land, an event attended by Mayor Dean Rees in support of the event.

"It's clear that it's an issue for many locals and that's why I wanted a petition so it wasn't just coming from me but rather that it's Wangaratta's history at stake," she said.

"Everybody can be reluctant and say anything and that's why we're asking council to actually take this on.

"Maybe they could consult with the Bpangerang to find out the best way through this."

The issue regarding the rightful custodians of the land has been complex in recent times with the Victorian Government's move to mark a large section of Victoria as Taungurung Country being overturned in the Federal Court of Appeal.

There has also been some debate between maps used to determine which Country should be attributed to each tribe.

In the Acknowledgement of Country at the start of Tuesday night's meeting, Mayor Rees said they were "hosting the meeting from the lands of the Bpangerang people".