WEST KIMBERLEY PLACE REPORT - Department of Sustainability ...

Broometime (Coombs 1956), A scattering of the pearls: a new novel set in Broome
(Campbell 2006) and Forty fathoms deep (Idriess 1947).
In the past Broome has also been given various titles which express its prominence
and place in the pearling history of Australia. During the early twentieth century
Broome was widely recognised as the pearling capital of Australia and during a boom
period when production of pearl shell was at a peak (1900s) Broome was known in
Australia and throughout the world as the pearling capital of the world.
As a result of this history, Broome is still remembered with some romance. 'Its
luggers, icons of a bygone era, were once a feature of Broome's thriving pearling
industry, and gave rhythm and romance to the town when, during 'lay up', they were
moored in the part of Chinatown that was known as Morgan's Camp' (Kaino 2005).
The multicultural character of Old Broome, the stories about the distinctive social
milieu at the time and its connections with Asia are important aspects of the literature
associated with Broome and surrounding areas.
In the late nineteenth century many people came to Broome as indentured workers on
the pearl luggers including Chinese, Filipinos (Manila men), Malays, Japanese and
Koepangers (from Timor). While the population of Broome has quadrupled since
1970 (Kaino 2005) this multicultural aspect of the Broome community is still evident
today.
Since the early establishment of the pearling industry in Broome a rich Asian-
Australian society built up around the pearling industry: there were Asian storekeepers
and noodle-shop owners, Asian doctors and market gardeners. The Asian
population settled in the part of town now called Chinatown, which was originally
called Japtown and was reminiscent of villages in China and Japan. Chinatown was
where many Asians established retail stores, boarding houses, import agencies,
laundries, market gardens, brothels and hotels. During the wet season, when luggers
returned to shore, the indentured workers moved into Chinatown and Broome became
a bustling town, full of activity, festivals and excitement. This part of Broome looked,
smelled and sounded like Asia. Some say that during the pearling days, visitors to
Broome had to check whether they were even still in Australia (Sickert 2003).
Over time, representative community organizations emerged such as the Broome
Chinese Association, Japanese Club, and Malayasian Association (Akerman et al.
2010).
These memories of Broome time are still held by many in Broome. 'Old Broome
residents still have fond memories of…balmy nights under tropical palms decorated
with Japanese lanterns. Here they were treated to kamaboko fishcakes made by
Japanese from freshly caught north west Spanish mackerel, sushi, sashimi and other
delights, such as shishimet, the traditional Japanese folk dancing and enka, the solo
performances of traditional folk songs'. (Kaino 2005).
Up until the 1970s Broome's Asian communities also maintained their traditions in
relation to special days in the calendar year; including the Chinese Hung Seng; the
Japanese O Bon and the Malaysian community Mederka (Kaino 2005). These
traditional festivals were opened to the wider community under the over arching
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