Member for Monaro, John Barilaro, presented certificates and medals of appreciation to the former councillors of Queanbeyan, Palerang, Cooma, Bombala and Snowy River on July 11.

There were several councillors who did not attend the ceremony.

Former Queanbeyan councillor and member of the Local Representation Committee, Peter Bray, attended the ceremony and assumed the missing councillors were most likely at work since the ceremony took place in the middle of the day.

He was “delighted” to receive the certificate and medal and was “feeling very proud.”

“I was more than happy to go along and I was most chuffed,” Mr Bray said.

But former Queanbeyan councilor, Kenrick Winchester, said despite being preoccupied with work commitments, said he would prefer to still have his job as a councilor over an awards ceremony.

"I think it is a nice enough gesture, however I would have much preferred to not be sacked as a democratically elected councillor."

"The current arrangement is undemocratic and very important decisions are being made by a government appointed administrator, and not a democratically elected council," Mr Kenrick said.

Both the sacked councilors and the representative committee members appointed in June, were presented with the awards.

Former Palerang councilor, Peter Marshall, said he didn't feel it was right for both groups to receive awards as some were still working for and getting paid by council.

"I would not attend, not when the two groups are being treated the same and not when the representative committee is clearly a cherry picked bunch," he said.

But for those that did attend, it was a very positive event.

Former Palerang mayor, and now member of the Local Representation Committee, said he didn’t have anything negative to say about the event.

“Everyone who was there was happy with the occasion … People appreciated the fact that the local member went to the trouble to recognise their service under the circumstances.”

Member for Monaro John Barilaro emphasised the importance of publicly acknowledging councillors for their service.

“It’s important to let our former councillors know that we appreciate the work they have done and to acknowledge them publicly for their service,” said Mr Barilaro.

“Serving in local government is a rewarding experience, councillors invest huge amounts of time and energy looking after and representing their community.”