Location: Carnarvon Street , Chinatown, Broome, 6725
Client: Shire of Broome
Date Completed: 1999
Project Materials: Bronze
Project size: Over-Life-Size
Dedication: 27 August 1999 by by the Hon. Mike Board, Minister of Citizenship & Multicultural Affairs
Project Description:
Dedicated to the Indigenous and non-Indigenous pearl divers who helped establish Broome as the centre of the world`s pearling in the 1900s. These early pearl divers came from diverse cultural backgrounds, and this resulted in Broome being exempted from the White Australia Policy, making the town a pioneer of multiculturalism in Australia. Around 50 of these divers along with many of their ancestors still reside in Broome today.
Plaque Inscription:
Memorial to the Hard-hat Divers of Broome. Unveiled on the 27 August 1999 by the Hon. Mike Board Minister of Citizenship & Multicultural Affairs. An initiative of the 1999 Shinju Matzuri Committee. Sponsors Arrow Pearling Company, Rosario Aurore, Broome Pearls Lyndon and Bruce Brown, Snowy Country Pearl Hamaguchi, Larry House and Mark Walsh Linneys of Broome, Maxima Pearling Company Paspaley Pearling Company, Bill Read, Arts WA Shire of Broome, Mangrove Hotel , The Ministry of Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs and the people of Broome. Sculptors Joan Walsh and Charles Smith 1999.