By Lloyd Jones in Uluru

Thunder and lightning have heralded a landmark event at the great red rock known as Uluru to mark 40 years since the sacred site’s handback to the local Anangu people.

The return of ownership of Uluru and nearby Kata Tjuta, also known as Ayers Rock and The Olgas, on October 26, 1985, was a symbolic high point for Aboriginal land rights.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Governor-General Sam Mostyn are set to attend the weekend celebrations of the handback featuring speeches, song and dance performances and local craft displays.

The anniversary of the sites’ return was marked by King Charles and Anangu representatives at Australia House in London on October 16.

The King, then Prince Charles, visited Uluru in 1983 accompanied by Princess Diana.

Thunder and lightning played out for hours at Uluru early on Saturday, with heavy rain soaking the rock and creating waterfalls down its sides.

In a speech to be delivered in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Mr Albanese will reflect on the “deep honour” of being the first prime minister to attend a handback anniversary.

“Forty years ago, after decades of exclusion, the Anangu’s rightful relationship with this place was finally recognised,” he will say.

“And the Anangu responded by choosing to share it with all of us.

“Tourists flock to it, rangers care for it. All Australians are welcome here. The whole world is welcome here.”

Forty years ago on Sunday then governor-general Ninian Stephen handed over the title deeds for the rock to the Anangu Traditional Owners.

They then signed a joint management agreement leasing the land back to the Australian Parks and Wildlife Service (now the Director of National Parks) for 99 years.

The handback followed decades of lobbying by Traditional Owners to have their rights recognised and set the scene for other land handbacks across Australia.

Mr Albanese will declare the event “a milestone in Aboriginal land rights and a powerful moment in the story of our continent”.

He will also highlight the words of Anangu woman Aunty Pamela Taylor in recalling the 1985 handback ceremony.

“We were so happy that after all that struggle, all the talking, the fight to get it back, that it was finally going to be given back,” she said.

“Everybody drew together to celebrate, it was a really happy time.”

Mr Albanese will say Uluru stands as “a monument to a people’s love of country and their determination to see justice done”.

“On behalf of Australia, I say to the Anangu, ‘we thank you for your patience, we thank you for your grace’.”

The chair of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Board of Management Tapaya Edwards said the national park was a place where Anangu law and culture could be kept strong for future generations.

“There is still much to be done and we look forward to seeing our young people carry this flame forward as they learn Anangu traditional knowledge and Western knowledge to care for Country.”

Uluru is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is one of the most recognisable natural sites in the world.

Millions of people visit every year, making it one of Australia’s most popular tourist sites.

Celebratory events will be held on Saturday at the sunrise viewing site, including traditional dance performances and a concert featuring local and national musicians.

On Sunday Governor-General Mostyn will unveil a plaque commemorating the 40th anniversary of the handback.