Serpentine River bridge named in honour of Aboriginal advocate Brian Coffey

A bridge over the Serpentine River has been named in honour of the late-Brian Coffey, an Aboriginal advocate in the local area.

The proposal to name the bridge after Mr Coffey, who passed away in 2011, was first put forward by Aboriginal community leader George Walley, in a bid to pay tribute to his strong social justice in providing support and care for local Aboriginal families.

Mr Coffey’s family has long been a part of the Serpentine community, with his parents moving to the area to take up land under the Peel Group Settlement Scheme in the 1920s, where they owned a dairy farm.

His father died when he was six years old, leaving his mother and siblings to run the dairy farm until Mr Coffey eventually took over the farm in 1950.

Mr Walley said his father and other family members worked for Mr Coffey and his wife Betty in the 1950s and 1960s.

“That supportive working relationship has been something very respectfully referred to when we, as extended family groups, would drive and meet at the Serpentine River Bridge along Rapids Road for picnics and for kids to swim at a safe place,” he said.

Shire President Cr Michelle Rich said the Shire was pleased to have played a part in having Brian Coffey’s name recognised at the bridge.

“Brian and his family have helped shape our local community for the better, with his advocacy for the Aboriginal community something we can all be truly proud of,” Cr Rich said.

“We hope that naming this bridge after him will ensure that Brian and his family’s contribution to our community is recognised well into the future.”

Signage was installed at the bridge at Rapids Crossing in December 2020 after Landgate officially approved the recommendation to rename the bridge.