Two brothers - both in their 80s - retraced the footsteps of their pioneering father on Friday, almost a century to the day after he landed in Griffith.

Joe Lenehan, 82, and brother Dick, 86, trudged part of the 20km journey from Willbriggie Siding to the previous settlement of Bagtown, now a citrus orchard near Hanwood, to pay homage to their late dad.

Andrew Joseph Lenehan, a young accountant with a thirst for adventure, alighted the train at Willbriggie in January 1912, and unable to get a coach ride, walked from the station to Bagtown.

He went on to work with the newly formed Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission and later claimed Farm 134, Hanwood, where the Lenehan boys grew up.

"You look back over your life and realise that those years were so important," Joe Lenehan said during Friday's walk.

"It's time for us to come back and salute not just mum and dad, but all the early settlers of the area.

"Many of the settlers, like dad, weren't farmers at heart but through their spirit and determination helped build this area."

During the walk, the Lenehan brothers were greeted by Roy Calabria, whose late father Tony purchased Farm 134 from the Lenehans in 1952.

Members of Murrumbidgee Irrigation's (MI) Centenary of Irrigation organising committee also welcomed the brothers, hosting an afternoon tea in their honour.

This year marks 100 years since the great irrigation scheme was switched on and MI environmental officer Rob Kelly said the brothers' walk was a "perfect way" to kickstart celebrations.

"It's an amazing gesture and it shows while the brothers might have left the area, they still have the MIA in their blood," Mr Kelly said.

"There are many relatives of pioneers still in the area and we would love to hear from them for the centenary."