WATCH: Nannup family honoured by the river

The memory of Joseph and Dulcie Nannup has been honoured as the City of Mandurah name a walking trail along the Serpentine River to acknowledge the long standing Peel region family.

The four kilometre stretch of walking trail that borders the Serpentine River was named the Joseph and Dulcie Nannup and unveiled during an event by the river's edge today.

Mayor Rhys Williams was joined by the Nannup family including Uncle Harry Nannup who reflected on his childhood around the river and how important the day was to his family.

Joseph and Dulcie Nannup lived in bush camps along the river, sustaining the family on fish caught from the river and lakes in the area, making it an epicentre for memories to their family and others who joined them.

Serpentine river served as the site where Joseph and Dulcie fed their family and friends and raised their children to be reliant on the waterways for food such as fish.

Their children and descendants still fish along these waterways, continuing the practices of their ancestors.

Franklyn Nannup said the event marked a special day for his family and he had been looking forward to it for some time.

"We grew up on the river," he said.

"All these different camps around Barragup and Furnissdale they were nan and pops [Joseph & Dulcie] and this spot here I remember coming to as a kid too."

Mr Nannup said his family had long standing ties with the land around Serpentine River.

"We used to come camping here, catching fish and crabs." he said.

"The camp was clean, everybody had their chore to do, we were visited by extended families all the time.

"My youngest memory goes back to Christmas time, I remembered because the custard tasted so good and that was great times at my grandfather and mothers camp."

Mayor Williams said the memories shared by the Nannup family were something all Mandurah and Peel residents could relate to.

"History just repeats itself," he said.

"We are still a community as we were then, that come together and make the most of what we've got, to enjoy each other's company and have a good time." 

Thursday's event started with a welcome to country and a traditional smoking ceremony.

Members from local dance groups Manjar Maamun Nyumbi and Binjareb Middairs treated guests to traditional dances.

Noongar people have always honoured the river through a reference in cultural knowledge as the umbilical cord, Bilya, hence Waangaamaap Bilya (Serpentine River).

In honour of Joseph and Dulcie’s memory, and the continuing use of the Serpentine River by their families, the name Joseph and Dulcie Nannup Trail was 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.

There will be a series of new signs installed along the trail which interpret the cultural history of the Serpentine River.

A new 150m 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.

The City of Mandurah said the boardwalk was installed in the hope it would reduce riverbank erosion and damage to the vegetation from foot traffic. 

The boardwalk was funded by the City of Mandurah and Lotterywest.