1880. Two years later, in 1882, the Municipality of Bega was created. The Bega Dairy Cooperative Limited was set up in the late 1890s. Bega is now well known for its cheese. Bega Cheese is manufactured by The Bega Co-operative Society Limited which is one of the larger Australian cheese companies. Their products are exported around the world and distributed across Australia and are available in most supermarkets and general stores. Notable local landmarks are Bega Court House and Rosevear Jeweller's shopfront, which are both listed on the Register of the National Estate. The courthouse was built in 1881 and consists of rendered brick and iron roofs. The Rosevear shop is in Carp Street and was established circa 1899. It is listed as a notable example of Victorian commercial designers. After years of planning, the shopping mall in Bega was built. The Sapphire Marketplace was opened on 2 December 2011. Heritage listings Bega has a number of heritage-listed sites, including: 21 Auckland Street: CBC Bank Building Population According to the 2021 census, there were 5,013 people in Bega. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 6.7% of the population. 82.3% of people were born in Australia. The next most common country of birth was England at 2.2%. 87.3% of people only spoke English at home. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 43.8% Anglican 17% and Catholic 16.8% Climate Bega has an oceanic climate (Cfb), very closely bordering the humid subtropical climate (Cfa). Its relatively dry winters are owed to foehn winds, which originate from the Great Dividing Range. The town features 85.3 clear days and 139 overcast days annually. Gallery Notable people Kezie Apps – Female Rugby League Player Chris Atkinson – WRC driver David Boyle – Rugby League Player Morgan Boyle – Rugby League Player Adam Elliott – Rugby League Player Dale Finucane – Rugby League Player Deborah Glass OBE – Victorian Ombudsman Thomas Jack – DJ Lenka – singer and songwriter Ky Rodwell – Rugby League Player See also Bega schoolgirl murders References External links Bega Valley Shire Council web site Towns in New South Wales Towns in the South Coast (New South Wales) 1851 establishments in Australia Bega Valley Shire