Cirrus@Austlit

'Sitting on the Nedlands foreshore, looking out across the stretch of clear blue water, it is easy to forget the noise of city life. Gentle waves lap softly onto the bank, sun catches the movement of the water, occasionally dolphins splash in the deep. It is tranquil and prepossessing. Dotted along the grassy banks, groups of people laugh, talk and picnic. Children run and dive into the water. Further up the hill at Kaarta gar-up (Mount Eliza, Kings Park) friends and families gather under the tall eucalyptus trees where the djiti djiti (willie wagtail) call. From there they can see the water curve and snake from Elizabeth Quay to the University of Western Australia (UWA) and all the way across to Attadale. Derbal Yaragan, the estuary at the foot of the City of Perth and part of the beeliar (Swan River) that has nourished people and activity for more than 50,000 years, a waterway that continues to course its way into the Nyungar way of life.' (Introduction)