First Shinju Matsuri Pearl Queen Crown

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Shinju Queen

The highlight of Broome’s annual Shinju Matsuri Festival was the crowning of the Pearl Queen at the ball. Made by jeweller Robert Boyd, this delicate silver crown features eleven sets of Japanese cultured pearls, set against a blue velvet headband. The first queen, in 1970, was Dianne Fong and this crown was worn by the winning Pearl Queens until the mid-1990s. In this small town with a big history in pearling, the festival of the pearl coincided with the annual Japanese Obon festival of lanterns and the Chinese Hung-ting, festival of the dead. It was a significant community event with a float parade featuring Sammy the Dragon and community floats, art awards, Japanese dancing, sporting competitions and pet parades. An annual lugger race brought the community together, and festivities continued after the races at the divers’ quarters on the foreshore for the crews, friends and families. The Museum has an extensive collection of Shinji memorabilia.

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Broome Museum

Broome stories

The Broome Historical Museum reveals the character and history of the unique, multicultural town of Broome, dubbed 'the pearling capital of the world.' Originally housed in the Old Broome Lockup the...

Address:

67 Robinson Street
Broome WA 6725
Australia

Open Hours

May to September Mon to Fri 10am-4pm, & Sat to Sun 10am-1pm; October to April 7 days 10am-1pm; Check the website for closing dates between late December and early February

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