Australian south sea pearls are highly sort after. In this presentation you will be taken on an exciting journey from a time before white settlement, to the rough ‘grab what you can’ of the early settlers on the nor’west coast of West Australia to the boom times before World War 1. Over 400 pearling lugger boats operated out of Broome at that time. The Pearling Masters wielded enormous political leverage in a unique industry that eventually collapsed at the end of World War 2 with the introduction of plastic buttons. The rebuilding of our cultured pearl industry led to Australia producing some of the finest pearls in the world. Pearls have been prized throughout history and you will hear about the mystique and glamour of some famous pearls and the people who wore them.
Join Gillian Lewis from the Museum's Speakers Group as we learn more about this amazing subject.
Add to the fun by wearing or bringing something pearl related to the event.
Enjoy a glass of bubbly or wine and cheese and fruit platters before the talk.
