This is a story of a river. Now called the Swan, the river was known to the local Nyungar
people as the Durbai Yaragan.

The Nyungar had used the river and its environs for thousands of years, but in 1650 they
witnessed the arrival of the first European ships off the coast, an event that was eventually to bring big changes to their way life. In this book, Western Australian maritime historian, Jill Worsley, explores the traditional use of the river and charts the changes that took place with the arrival of Europeans between 1650 and 1850.

Dutch, and later French explorers visited the area but it wasn't until 1829 that British
colonists settled along the river. The arrival of the first convicts in 1850 began a new phase of development, as labour became available to begin building the city of Perth we know today.

Use of the river may have changed but it remains important in the lives of those who live
here. Understanding the ways in which the river has been used over this particular 200 year period may lead to a greater appreciation of our different connections with it.

Jill Worsley has a background in history and anthropology and a post graduate diploma in Maritime archaeology. She is an Honorary Associate of the Western Australian Museum. In 2015 the museum Maritime Archaeology Committee presented Jill with a medal of the order of Australia in the Queen's Btrthday Honours list for services to maritime history.

Jill has written three books on maritime matters published by the Western Australian
Museum. The Waugul and the Swan is her first solo writing effort.

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