Derby West Kimberley

Derby West Kimberley is a region in the northern part of Western Australia, located about 2200 km northeast of Perth. The region has a rich and diverse history, spanning tens of thousands of years. The area was first inhabited by Aboriginal people, who have lived in the region for at least 40,000 years. The Aboriginal people of the region have a deep connection to the land, and they have passed down their stories and traditions from generation to generation. The history of the region is told through Dreamtime stories, which explain the creation of the landscape, the plants and animals, and the people themselves. The Aboriginal people of the region also have a rich artistic tradition, with rock paintings and carvings found throughout the area. The first recorded European contact with the region was in 1688, when the Dutch ship the Ridderschap van Holland landed on the coast near what is now called Cape Leveque. However, it wasn't until the late 1800s that Europeans began to explore and settle in the area. In the 1880s, pastoralists and pearlers began to establish themselves in the region. They were attracted by the rich pastures and natural resources of the area. The town of Derby was founded in 1883 as a result of the pearling industry, and it quickly became the largest town in the region. The pearling industry was a major part of the economy in the early days of the region. Pearling crews worked in the waters of the Kimberley coast, diving for pearl shells. The shells were sold to buyers who would extract the pearls and sell them to the international market. Many of the pearl divers were Japanese, and they created a unique cultural mix in the region. In the early 1900s, gold was discovered in the region, and this brought a new wave of settlers to the area. The gold rush saw the establishment of many new towns and mining operations across the region. The towns of Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing and Broome were established during this period. Many of the gold rushes were short-lived, and the towns that sprang up during this period gradually declined after the gold ran out. During World War II, the region became a strategic area for the Allied forces. The Japanese forces had been advancing through the Pacific and were believed to be targeting the Kimberley coast. The Australian government built several military bases in the region, including the airbase at Derby and the radar station at Cape Leveque. The region also became a staging ground for American forces, who used it as a base for bombing raids on Japanese targets in Indonesia and the Philippines. After the war, the region began to develop in earnest. The pastoral industry remained the backbone of the economy, and the government began to invest in infrastructure to support agriculture and mining. Roads were built to connect the towns, and new industries such as beef production and tourism began to develop. Today, the region is a diverse and thriving community. The economy is still based on mining and agriculture, but there are also a growing number of businesses in tourism and services. The region is also home to many artists and craftspeople, who draw on the rich cultural heritage of the area in their work. The history of Derby West Kimberley is a story of resilience and adaptation. The region has faced many challenges over the centuries, from the harsh environment to the pressures of modern development. However, the people of the region have always found a way to overcome these challenges and thrive in this unique and beautiful part of the world.