The Waangaamaap Bilya was a fishing spot, a meeting place and a home to the Bindjareb, who were the first known people to inhabit the Mandjoogoordap area.
Still today, the Serpentine River holds a special place in the hearts of Mandurah’s Aboriginal community and that was recognised on Thursday at a special ceremony.
The event celebrated the renaming of a four kilometre walking trail, along the river bank, to honour and acknowledge Joseph and Dulcie Nannup.
Joseph and Dulcie Nannup lived in bush camps in the area, sustaining their family on fish caught from the river and lakes nearby.
Nannup is an iconic local Aboriginal surname and well-known elder Harry Nannup gave event attendees an insight into the family’s history in the region.
“My family, as you know, has been around Mandurah for years and years,” he said.
“The Serpentine River did a great thing for us. We lived off the river. It has kept us alive.”
More than 100 people gathered on the banks of the river, to open the renamed walking trial.
George Walley and Franklyn Nannup held a smoking ceremony and welcomed attendees to the land for what they described as a “significant event” for the local Aboriginal community.
Damper and Kangaroo meat balls were among the many tasty treats on offer at the morning tea held after the event’s formalities.
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Harry said it was a great honour to see the area that his parents loved, named after them.
“It’s good to see all the familiar faces here. Also my sisters that are here today, it’s lovely to have you all here for such a special occasion,” he said.
Joseph and Dulcie raised their six daughters and six sons to be reliant on the waterways for food, and fish including mullet, bream, yellow tail and mulloway, and tortoises, crabs and prawns, fed the children and adults.
With a big family, Harry said it would have been hard for his parents to feed all of their children.
“The more you’ve got the merrier it is and the harder it is to feed them all,” he said.
“My brothers and sisters, we learned to live with it. We knew how hard things was.
“There’s heaps of good people out there, that’s always willing to help you.”
Their children and descendants still fish along these waterways, continuing the practices of their ancestors.
The name “Joseph and Dulcie Nannup Trail” has been endorsed by the Geographic Naming Committee.
The trail stretches from Goegrup Lake in the north, along the river to Pinjarra Road bridge in the south.
Users of the trail can enjoy river views, wildflowers and birdlife.
There will be a series of new signs installed along the trail which interpret the cultural history of the Serpentine River.
A new 150 metre boardwalk was constructed last year along the trail between St Ives Lagoon and the river, which is an environmentally sensitive area with vegetation that is listed as a Threatened Ecological Community by the Federal Government.
It’s hoped the boardwalk will reduce riverbank erosion and damage to the vegetation from foot traffic.
The boardwalk was funded by the City of Mandurah and Lotterywest.
