Shire of Derby / West Kimberley Library - local studies collection

Muddy Waters

Named after the Earl of Derby, the town has a rich colonial history as the first regional and administrative centre, supporting the sheep and cattle stations of the west Kimberley. Keeper of this history is the Derby library and its Local History Collection which is a trove that includes thousands of photographs, archived newspapers and a variety of books that visitors are welcome to view on demand. Like the namesake of one of the Derby tabloids, the Boab Babbler, the West Kimberley Library is the place to find out what’s been happening in the region. Providing a sanctuary from the Kimberley heat, the library also exhibits many of the acquisitions from the Kimberley Art Award, an integral part of Derby’s annual Boab Festival.

Address:

Clarendon Street
Derby WA 6728
Australia

Opening Hours
Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri 9.30am - 12pm; Thurs 1 - 5pm; Sat 10am – 12pm
Valued skills

Larry Kunamarra, a Bunuba man, once ran with Jandamarra and his gang through the Napier and Wunaanim-Miliwudi Ranges. After finally being shot and captured, Larry, like Jandamarra, became a valued...

Two in one

A favourite pastime of many locals was to carve whatever enduring materials were at hand—turtle shell and catfish bones for the saltwater people, and cow horns and boab nuts for those from the station...

Nyikina—a language of the river country

Nyikina is one of the main languages of the West Kimberley region, particularly around the lower end of the mighty Fitzroy River. It is spoken by more people than Warrwa, which is the language group...

More North West collections

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Muddy waters

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WA's first pearling port

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Broome community reflected

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While you're in the area

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Derby Jetty
Attraction
Derby Jetty
Located north of the Derby town site, the jetty experiences the biggest...
via Jetty Road, Derby, WA 6728
Galvans Gorge
Attraction
Galvans Gorge
Galvans Gorge is the most accessible gorge along the legendary Gibb River...
Galvans Way, Derby, WA 6728
Manning Gorge
Attraction
Manning Gorge
For camping under a star-filled outback sky and immersing yourself in...
Derby-Gibb River Road, Mount Barnett Station, Derby, WA 6728
Derby Pioneer Cemetery
Attraction
Derby Pioneer Cemetery
The Derby Pioneer Cemetery was the final resting place for several...
Lovegrove Street, Derby, WA 6728