History

In 1969 a group of spirited locals began to organise a town festival to celebrate and acknowledge Broome’s distinct multicultural heritage whilst promoting local commerce and Broome as a tourism destination.

Incorporating Japanese, Malay and Chinese cultural traditions, Shinju Matsuri (which is Japanese for “Festival of the Pearl”) was an opportunity to acknowledge the pearling industry and to celebrate the many different
cultures that existed in the town, including our own Indigenous community. It was an opportunity to showcase Broome’s natural beauty, unique history and diverse character to the outside world.

Today the old Broome locals, whose forbears came from many different lands to settle in the Port of Pearls, are a living example of a multi-racial community co-existing in harmony. Amongst them prevails a spirit of togetherness demonstrating Broome’s wonderful capacity to thread different races of people into the social fabric of the community. This spirit embraces new Broome locals who continue to flock from around the world to call this spectacular town home.